With stunning consistency, virtually every indicator of civic engagement currently available shows the same pattern of increase followed by stagnation and decline —
newspaper reading; TV news watching; attending political meetings; petition signing; running for public office; attending public meetings; serving as an officer or committee member in any
local clubs or organizations; writing letters to the editor; participating in
local meetings of national organizations; attending religious services; socializing informally with friends, relatives or neighbors; attending club meetings; joining unions; entertaining friends
at home; participating in picnics; eating the evening meal with the whole family; going out to bars, nightclubs, discos or taverns; playing cards; sending greeting cards; attending parties; playing sports; donating money as a percentage of income; working on community projects;
giving blood.