How does culture tie us all together? Does shared culture necessarily mean a regression to some mean?

Compare this with the cultural pressure of religious identity in America which does seem to press toward a particular way of thinking, living, and being.

It's certainly at risk now in part because of lack of both consensus and compromise. Even the arguments aren't broadly accepted by either side.

evidence?

We hear this regularly, and it seems intuitive, but... where is the proof of this...

Just how "informed" ought a person to be? How critical? Everyone is "critical", the internet is full of criticism, but not necessarily in the sense meant here.

He and others are usually talking about some perceived "perfect democracy" which doesn't really exist in actuality.

How is he defining the idea of "democratic" here and throughout the piece?

I find it interesting that in common parlance there's a subtle (hidden?) meaning of "individual ownership over" which ties in with "the commons".

I love this acronym!