My example of Social Capital is rather a long term one, and not particularly contemporary...but definitely something that I have a great interest in.

Whilst browsing Twitter for some inspiration I happened to stumble upon a Tweet explaining that Michael Eavis has recently had his beard trimmed. Now...this is the kind of inside information I like to get from people that I follow on Twitter! The “Tweeter” in question was none other than GlastoWatch. His identity is unknown, though I do know that he is of the male variety and is particularly obsessed with Glastonbury Festival. He has taken it upon himself to provide his followers with the latest roumers and, occasionally, official announcements as to the line-up of the festival. All he asks is that if anyone hears anything, or reads a news article regarding the festival, that they pass it on to him.  

Glastowatch came up with “Twitterbury” (or #twisto for the sake of a hashtag), a giant meet of everybody on the twitter universe coming to Glastonbury Festival. Roughly 160 people signed up to the Twitterbury list, but come the day only about 30-40 people turned up.

In this case I would relate this example to Putnam’s theory where groups and communities share knowledge and information for mutual benefit. The distinction between “bonding” the gap and “bridging” the gap are definitely relevant here. People like myself and the majority of the 30-40 people that turned up were LIKE me and had bonded. We were more inclined to return the favour to Mr. GlastoWatch by coming to his meet-up and reaping the benefits of it...the chance to meet some like-minded people and be part of a wonderful event.

Others, namely the twitterers that didn’t attend, were bridging the gap for their own benefit. To follow GlastoWatch, find out who was playing Glastonbury and then feel no need to repay him at all. They were UNLIKE me.

With regards to limitations of Social Capital, I would give the example that this week’s reading gave: That there is no definitive quantifiable way of determining how much Social Capital an individual has or doesn’t have. We can only relate it to other types of capital the individual has. GlastoWatch has a lot of cultural capital, he understands Glastonbury and often gives examples of how elements of Glastonbury work: The putting together of line-ups, the timings and the general goings on of the festival. However, in my opinion, this doesn’t mean that GlastoWatch has a lot of Social Capital, even regardless of his Economic Capital.

He could be the richest man on earth and have and endless knowledge of Glastonbury Festival, but he could still have no networks or interaction with anyone...no Social Capital.