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WotD: Social lubricant
When most English speakers hear the term social lubricant, they probably think of alcohol.
A social lubricant eases social interaction, like grease for the gears of human connection.
Alcohol helps to lower inhibitions and make people more open to conversation; however, a social lubricant can be a cup of coffee that sparks conversation at a cafe, a shared laugh that breaks the ice at a party, or even a shared experience like waiting in line that fosters a sense of camaraderie.
Unfortunately, those social lubricants are running dry in today’s fast-paced, often virtual world.
Communities feel fractured, replaced by online bubbles and fleeting interactions without eye contact.
Recently, I chose Mandatory Service as a topic of discussion.
During one lesson, the idea of compulsory service as a social lubricant came up.
Mandatory service, a program where citizens dedicate a period of time to public service, could act as a powerful social lubricant on a national scale.
Imagine young people thrown together, living, working, and overcoming challenges.
Shared experiences build camaraderie.
The awkwardness of meeting strangers melts away as they navigate their time together.
From rural towns to bustling cities, members deployed across the country would contribute to local communities.
Working on environmental projects, assisting with infrastructure development, or teaching in underprivileged schools would not only benefit the communities but also create new connections.
The social lubricant wouldn’t just flow outwards; it would also strengthen the fabric of society.
The camaraderie forged through shared hardship and accomplishment would create a lasting sense of belonging.
These bonds would be carried into their civilian lives, fostering a support network and a renewed sense of community spirit.
Of course, mandatory service wouldn’t be a magic bullet. Still, in a world desperately needing a little social lubrication, it could be the grease that gets our communities moving smoothly again.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post compares in readability to The New York Times.
It is understandable by someone with at least a 10th-grade education (age 16).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 44.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.