*****  To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org  *****

Yes, we used Fischer's definition of inadequate social support....from the
California study (fewer than 2)...which does have some nice sociological
roots RE the idea of dependence (if you only have one, you are very
dependent on that one...).  WHich leads to big headlines about half the
population, etc.  But let's recognize that the media almost HAVE to
exaggerate something to do their job.  Whether they love Bush or hate him,
they're never neutral or nuanced: that's our job, as scientists.

Think'll I'll go take a nice flight in the Arizona desert with MY favorite
discussion partner.  (We talk about important matters over headsets.....)

Happy Canada Day!  Lynn


On Sat, 1 Jul 2006, Barry Wellman wrote:

> *****  To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org  *****
>
> I was a positive referee on the Social Isolation paper by Lynn, Miller and
> Matthew. Glad that I was.
>
> But I kick myself for not asking that the main title be changed to delete
> the main title, "Social Isolation in America."
>
> While grabby main titles are good (see my soon-to-be published "How to
> Write -- and Rewrite -- A Paper"), this one is dangerously misleading as
> compared to the more accurate main title: "Core Discussion Networks Over
> Two Decades." It wouldn't matter so much except that lots of media get
> excited by the main title.
>
> But at least, serious sociology is in the news.
>
> YMMV.
>
> As for me, I am going for a long ride in the country with my favorite
> discussion partner.
>
> Happy Canada Day,
>
>  Barry
>  _____________________________________________________________________
>
>   Barry Wellman         Professor of Sociology        NetLab Director
>   wellman at chass.utoronto.ca  http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman
>
>   Centre for Urban & Community Studies          University of Toronto
>   455 Spadina Avenue    Toronto Canada M5S 2G8    fax:+1-416-978-7162
>
>   You're invited to visit -- and contribute to -- my new fun website
>  "Updating Cybertimes: It's Time to Bring Our Culture into Cyberspace"
>              http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php
>  _____________________________________________________________________
>
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Lynn Smith-Lovin
Robert L. Wilson Professor of Arts and Sciences
Department of Sociology
Duke University
348A SOC/PSYCH Bldg
Box 90088
Durham, NC 27708-0088
919-660-5786

Home:
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520-212-2376
cell 520-909-8924

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