Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

KPBS Midday Edition

New Book Explores How Public Spaces Can Fight Polarization

The cover of "Palaces for the People."
Courtesy of Penguin Random House
The cover of "Palaces for the People."

Bestselling author and sociologist Eric Klinenberg explores the value of public spaces in his book "Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructures Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life." He's speaking at the Central Library Thursday night.

From the agora in ancient Greece to the meeting halls of the American settlers, having a place where people can get together and mingle has been an essential part of civic life.

And it’s a part that some of us have forgotten about, as we insulate ourselves inside our homes and within our social media.

Advertisement

Bestselling author and sociologist Eric Klinenberg explores the value of public spaces in his book "Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructures Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life."

He’s speaking about the book Thursday at 7 p.m. at the San Diego Central Library.

He joins Midday Edition prior to the event to discuss the role of public spaces in society.