Once heard Peter Levine say that there were four pillars of a city's civic life mid-century that most Americans had a connection with: Daily Newspaper, Labor Union, Political Party, Religious Congregation. All four are in crisis—and we need some form of each to be rejuvenated.

There is a very simple low-hanging fruit to start the process of accountability for the Epstein network (and rebuild national trust): Congressional hearings that subpoena all major players mentioned in the release to ask basic questions under oath.

The second edition of WHAT ARE YOU DOING ALONE THAT YOU COULD BE DOING TOGETHER? just dropped: On the appropriately named Jared Joiner, who is supporting local businesses and building civic culture with REVIVAL ROUNDS —> join101.substack.com/p/waydatycbd...

Bugonia reflections

We just published the first edition of "What are you doing alone that you could be doing together?" — a series on civic creators by JOIN 101, the next phase of JOIN OR DIE's mission: join101.substack.com/p/waydatycbd...

We just posted the 20th LOST PROPHETS— on bell hooks, who mixed her Kentucky roots, Christian and Buddhist spirituality, and intersectional feminism to dismantle the systemic barriers we have built to hold back love: www.lostprophets.org/p/20-bell-ho...

“The campaign was powered by an embodied, local patriotism—of city pride and love of neighbor—rather than the imperial, saber-rattling faux ‘patriotism’ that has been misleading us for a quarter century.” ← @petedavis.bsky.social on 2025 themorningnews.org/2025-the-yea...

Was asked by @themorningnews.org to share what I thought was the most important thing that happened in 2025, and offered the following reflections on the significance of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s campaign:

The latest LOST PROPHETS: WILLIAM H. WHYTE, a lost prophet whose thick observations of the social and physical structures we build and inhabit led to lasting insights — groupthink, Organization Men, urban sprawl, placemaking, and more: www.lostprophets.org/p/19-william...

The best next move for Dems (and America) is a 2-front project: (1) Maximalist (and justified) impeachment for every one of Trump’s hundreds of impeachable offenses (literally, it should be 100+ counts) to reign in the imperial Presidency and re-establish Congressional authority.

"If you want THE history book for the Zohran era, read @dlondonwortel.bsky.social's great "The Menace of Prosperity "— a history of various economic alternatives experimented with in New York’s history." @petedavis.bsky.social. Check it out here: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

Tomorrow! Join us for “Broken Links: How Do Media Silos Undermine Social Solidarity?” on 10/21 at 7pm ET at GU's Capitol Campus (125 E Street NW Capitol View Convening Space, 9th floor) and online. RSVP: bit.ly/BrokenLinks_CST #BrokenLinksCST In person? Join the 6pm Happy Hour and 8pm Reception!

How can young people build a culture of solidarity through embracing communication? Join us for the Salt and Light Gathering “Broken Links: How Do Media Silos Undermine Social Solidarity?” on 10/21 at 7pm ET at Georgetown’s Capitol Campus online. RSVP: bit.ly/BrokenLinks_CST #BrokenLinksCST

Newest LOST PROPHETS out — on Fr. Daniel Berrigan, the "devout and dangerous" priest who took "blessed are the peacemakers" seriously: www.lostprophets.org/p/18-daniel-...

The best "digital team" for the Dems is a non-digital team embedded in every city, participating in local community life, serving neighbors while inviting them to co-create the party together—a local chapter! thenation.com/article/poli...

Much of political conversion is at the subconscious level (one might say "at the spiritual level") — the level which deals in particular wholes (like symbols and constellations of meaning) not modular parts (like specific issue positions).

this was a great episode!

17th LOST PROPHETS just dropped—Elias Crim and I talk with historian @dlondonwortel.bsky.social about his new book about alternative visions of urban prosperity. Cameo appearances from Lost Prophets Jane Jacobs, Paul Goodman, and others: www.lostprophets.org/p/17-daniel-...

Want to learn more about how states can enable and empower the creation of municipally-owned, mixed-income housing developments? Check out DPN's kit on Social Housing at: democracypolicy.network/SocialHousing

On Pope Francis and the God of surprises: petedavis.substack.com/p/on-francis

Storefront county Republican community headquarters that I saw in Texas recently. Dems should build a meeting hall in every county in America. There are ~3,000 counties in America — a $3 billion fund could build them all. Much better long-term use of party funds than more ads.

You don’t rebuild a majority by having the best reactions to power. Even the cleverest reply reinforces the deeper message: They act, we just react. You can only rebuild by taking action yourself: having a vision, advancing that vision with courage…and forcing them to react.

If you enjoy a good documentary, I watched "Join or Die" on Netflix after I filed the draft above. It's a great watch, and it explains the arc of Robert Putnam's research on community before and after "Bowling Alone." www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKgQ...

Highly recommend watching the documentary Join or Die www.joinordiefilm.com. Helped me understand how we got to where we are now. Maybe it's not too late.

Watching the documentary Join or Die on Netflix this morning. It's based on Robert Putnam's life work on civil decline à la Bowling Alone. Makes you want to join a club.

I am watching Join or Die, a documentary about the significance of clubs. Stumbling upon this just now was kind of a wow for me.

The documentary “Join or Die” delivers exactly what its tagline promises: a compelling case for why joining a club could save your life — and democracy.

So happy I watched “Join or Die” on Netflix. Highly recommend… and join a club! www.joinordiefilm.com

Watch Join Or Die on Netflix to see why we love bringing people together! buff.ly/48eRgxW

I also recommend this, from @petedavis.bsky.social , with sharp-eyed history & optimistic hopes. Which I share—& yet, the tides pulling against, and weird whirlpools they create when people/groups try to push upstream [very! mixed! metaphor!] are also real www.thenation.com/article/poli...

Hoping that "clubs!" will be a bit more of the reflexive answer now in 2024. See @petedavis.bsky.social @joinordiefilm.bsky.social for more. But my 2 cents is clubs are really needed that are: - neighborhood level - politically multi-issue - mostly other than politics i.e. fun, care, community

"Apathy and cynicism could be combated as more of the civic creativity and energy of members is unleashed as local Democrats are invited to not only donate and vote but actually create the party together." Very interesting Pete Davis piece. www.thenation.com/article/poli...

If you haven't seen JOIN OR DIE on Netflix do yourself a favor and watch it. Finally I found hope that there is something positive I can do to help heal the US one tiny step at a time. And joining actually makes me happy. Join a club! Get involved!

Want to be a stop on #JoinOrDieFilm's Join Up! Tour? Head over to our website and click "Host a Screening" to get more info on how to bring the film to your community: joinordiefilm.com

@resnikoff.bsky.social This makes me think of the phenomenally made “Join Or Die” doc based on Robert Putnam’s work, produced by Rebecca Davis: www.joinordiefilm.com

Just watched “Join or Die” about Robert Putnam’s thesis on the decline of civil society. Given the number of clubs my family is in, I didn’t need to be converted. Just wondering what’s the best way to shift people from social consumers to social joiners either locally or at scale.

yes www.thenation.com/article/poli...

Again, it’s time

An area that is not getting enough attention in the autopsies of 2024 is the civic structure of the Democratic Party: how money, attention, organizing, leadership, and decision-making power flow through the party. My start to an exploration here: www.thenation.com/article/poli...