Category: Social Issues

“Soft Socializing” Is the Gen Z Trend That’s Making Low-Pressure Hangouts the New Normal

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Vivian Chung at Real Simple about an emerging cultural shift among Gen Z: what’s being called “soft socializing.” The idea is straightforward but sociologically interesting, young adults are moving away from high-pressure, performance-oriented social environments (bars, parties, constant engagement) and toward low-stakes, activity-based interactions where connection happens... Continue Reading →

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The Cultural Shift Connecting Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z

Every generation grows up believing the next one is making the world worse — but the real story is far more revealing. Boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z are all shaped by the cultural, economic, and technological shocks of their youth, creating shared patterns that repeat across history. Despite the noise of “generational wars,” the underlying forces shaping our identities are remarkably similar. Understanding these patterns doesn’t just explain why tensions flare up — it shows how social change actually happens.

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The Gospel According to Mammon: Why a Trillionaire Is a Moral Absurdity

Extreme wealth at the scale of a trillion dollars is a moral and social crisis. Such wealth concentrate power and influence while billions remain in precarity. Drawing on Marx, Smith, and Christian ethics, this essay argues that unbounded accumulation undermines justice, civic equality, and human flourishing, revealing the moral absurdity of extreme inequality.

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“No Kings” Protests Set to Sweep US Even as Trump Increases Attacks on Activists

Earlier this week, I was quoted in a Truthout (a not-for-profit news organization) for article examining the upcoming “No Kings” protests and the political framing around so-called antifa activity. You can read it here: https://truthout.org/articles/no-kings-protests-set-to-sweep-us-even-as-trump-increases-attacks-on-activists/ In my comments, I tried to draw attention to how political actors use labels to shape the public imagination long... Continue Reading →

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Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk

In contributing to Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk, I explained how youth risk factors, poverty, education inequality, crime, and limited healthcare access are rooted in structural inequalities, emphasizing the urgent need for policies supporting vulnerable children and communities nationwide.

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States with the Most At-Risk Youth (2025)

I'm always grateful when people outside of academia reach out for sociological insights on today’s pressing social issues. Recently, I was asked to weigh in on a question that continues to gain urgency: Why do so many rural young people in the United States feel profoundly disconnected from society? Too often, public conversations default to... Continue Reading →

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Social Media Has An Answer For Everything – Unfortunately Many Are Conspiracy Theories You Shouldn’t Believe

"The interesting dynamic of social media's contribution to conspiracy theories is not only its amplification of existing or emergent theories, but also how it has exponentially added to their commodification," said Bausman. — Read on http://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2023/02/04/social-media-has-an-answer-for-everything--unfortunately-most-are-conspiracy-theories-you-shouldnt-believe/

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In a Democracy

We (you) are the state. We are the arbitrators of collective affairs. Without us there is anarchy and no possibility of enduring happiness. The state is our collective voice, our contribution to the definition of a life of liberty in this shared world. Our individual pursuits of happiness and their resulting successes and failure are... Continue Reading →

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Social Media Has Provided A Skewed Account Of The War In Ukraine – Forbes

Bausman continued. "Social media and its variety of platforms has yet to establish some type of equivalent set of filters. Without these de-facto gatekeepers of information, bad actors now have platforms to disseminate misinformation and shape the narrative of events on the ground." https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2022/03/31/social-media-has-provided-a-skewed-account-of-the-war-in-ukraine/?sh=e93fb9d7826e

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Estimated Death Toll Above Normal

This is from the New York Times and in my opinion it perfectly epitomizes the seriousness of this virus. Read it this way. We are looking at how many deaths have occurred by region for the period of March 1 to July 25, compared to the same period last year. It represents how many people... Continue Reading →

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