A sociology study, soon to be published in the American Sociological Review, finds that Americans have fewer confidents with whom they discuss important matters than they did in the 1980s. The number of Americans with no such confidants has increased dramatically, and is the modal response.

Via Kieran Healy at Crooked Timber, who has a nice discussion of the study.

http://www.personalvillage.com/ has ideas on creating bigger personal networks and community