[wbillingsley]

The article seriously misrepresents the Australian sociologist and the community response to the Queensland floods.

Here's the Australian sociologist's article (you can find both quotes in the piece, but quite out of context): http://theconversation.com/do-you-know-your-neighbour-lendin...

The sociologist describes the community response to the floods as

   "the overwhelming message that flowed from events like the 
    floods in Queensland and Victoria last year was one of neighbours,
    friends and even strangers rallying to assist flooded residents in 
    their hour of need

    As the waters rose, neighbours banded together to sandbag each others’ 
    homes and move possessions to higher ground. Once they receded, 
    information, food, homes and equipment were freely shared. Observers 
    lauded the spirit of community that prevailed.

    So, why are neighbours still there when needed even if their noise, 
    smells and habits are cause for complaint the rest of the time?"

But what does Brian Bethune summarise the article as?

   "An Australian sociologist investigating community responses in the 
    wake of the 2011 floods in Queensland found relations in “a precarious 
    balance”; neighbours were hesitant to intrude even in emergencies—leading 
    the scholar to conclude that “we are less likely than ever to know” our 
    neighbours."

Which is quite the opposite. The sociologist was investigating the contrast -- a tremendous community response in an emergency, when we're more private than ever the rest of the time. But Brian Bethune make it sound like she was bemoaning a poor community response to an emergency.