As I make my way to Malaysia—somewhere between Boston Logan and Seattle—I find myself reflecting on a great conversation I just had with Mikala. We dove deep into the perception of “other” and how it functions as the durable stock of social capital—the idea that our awareness and acknowledgment of others is what sustains the very fabric of connection.
We talked about how life can be seen as a series of club participations: the communities, teams, workplaces, and social circles that give structure to our belonging. Within these spaces, we engage, collaborate, and build meaning. But what happens when we leave the club? Too often, the relationships we’ve built begin to fade—not because they lacked depth, but because the structure that held them together dissolves.
This brought me back to Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone”, which so eloquently illustrated how the erosion of community spaces leads to a decline in civic engagement and shared social trust. It’s a reminder that connection is rarely accidental—it’s cultivated through shared experience and intentional engagement.
As I look ahead to my work in Malaysia and the conversations waiting there, I’m reminded that “clubs” aren’t just social structures—they’re vessels of belonging. When we step into them with awareness and generosity, we build social capital that endures beyond the boundaries of any single space.
Here’s to the journey—across skies, cultures, and the many “clubs” that make life rich with connection. ✈️
— Dr. Rick L. Mask
Author | Researcher | Builder of Human Connection
The Official Author Page of Dr. Rick L. Mask (The Social Capitalist) and the Home of Social Capital 2.0 