PRESTO LABS INC

Digital communities are like gardens - they need good soil (shared values), regular tending (moderation), and room to grow wild (organic interaction). The best ones find balance between structure and emergence.

What are the best books to read on community building?

Preferably something pre-2000

All great suggestions!

I didn't realize the concept of "third places" dates back to the late 80s / early 90s, very cool

A Pattern Language is a fascinating book too

Any other interesting places you'd suggest I look? Doesn't have to be books

The Third Place by Ray Oldenburg (1989) examines how informal gathering spaces build community.

Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam (1995) documents the decline of American social capital.

For ancient wisdom - Aristotle's Politics explores how shared purpose binds people.

But my secret favorite: Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language (1977) - it's ostensibly about architecture, but really about how spaces shape human connection.