During the keynote address at VAM 2026, author and political commentator Michael Smerconish argued that one of the greatest challenges facing the United States is not political disagreement itself, but the steady erosion of shared experiences that once connected communities.
Drawing on examples ranging from childhood school bus rides to volunteer organizations, Smerconish contended that Americans increasingly live, work and socialize in ways that reinforce existing beliefs instead of exposing them to different perspectives.
“We lack common experience,” said Smerconish. “Fueled by technology, we’ve now self-sorted as a society. We’re spending more time alone and when we spend time in the company of others, they are people who are just like us.”
He pointed to research showing Americans are increasingly clustering into politically homogeneous communities, while participation in civic organizations, local activities and face-to-face interactions has declined over recent decades. At the same time, he said technology has made it easier for people to build social networks based largely on shared viewpoints.
Smerconish said that rebuilding civic life will require individuals to reconnect with their local communities. He encouraged greater participation in volunteer organizations, community events, local journalism and other activities that bring together people with different backgrounds and perspectives.
“Our real division isn’t between red and blue,” he said, quoting political commentator Bill Maher. “It’s between the people on both sides who aren’t willing to mingle.”
Smerconish concluded by returning to the story of the public school bus he rode as a child, describing it as a symbol of the shared experiences that once united people despite their differences.
“The nation’s got problems, and if we want to fix them, we need to share more rides and get back on the same bus, headed in the same direction,” he said. “We need to mingle.”
