Gary Alan Fine Knihy

"Most of the time, our daily lives are governed by structures that seem determined from above: laws that dictate our behavior, companies that pay our wages, even climate patterns that determine what we eat or where we live. And though these forces may seem beyond our individual grasp, we often come together to try to change the circumstances that would otherwise completely flatten us. In The Hinge, Gary Alan Fine sets out to give due consideration to the collectives that bridge our individual interest and the larger structures that influence our lives, or meso-level forms of social interaction. He describes these meso-level social collectives as "hinges": groups that come together to pursue a shared social goal, bridging the distance between the individual and the broader society. Fine argues that understanding these hinges is crucial to explaining how societies function, creating links between the micro-and macro-orders of society. Fine turns to historical cases and fieldwork to illustrate how these hinges work and how to describe them. In The Hinge, Fine has given us new theoretical tools for understanding an essential part of our social worlds"--

A bold new approach to performance by one of the top coaches in the country.In trying to improve-on the playing field, in the office, or even at home-most people seek out new information to get to the next level. They read a book, attend a class, or hire an expert to give them an edge.But Alan Fine, an accomplished tennis, golf, and executive coach and a renowned authority on peak performance, believes that this "outside-in" method is precisely what's holding you back from doing your best work. He's found the biggest obstacle to improved performance isn't not knowing what to do; it's not doing what you already know. Ironically, the quest for information and instructions designed to help you get ahead can often interfere with your ability to focus on doing something.Fine reveals his simple and proven approach to achieving breakthrough performance. It starts with reducing the interference that blocks your potential through an amazing process called G.R.O.W. (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward).No matter who you are or what you do, You Already Know How to Be Great will help you eliminate what is standing in the way of your goals.

The book delves into the unique cultural dynamics of high-school debate teams, highlighting the intricate relationships among teammates, competitors, and coaches. It explores how this competitive environment serves as a platform for both intellectual and emotional growth for adolescents. The author, Gary Alan Fine, assesses the advantages and challenges of participating in debate and offers suggestions for improving programs to enhance academic performance and foster essential citizenship skills in students.

""A flat world allows bad ideas to travel faster. Using illustrations ranging from the history of the vampire to modern rumors about terrorism, Gary Alan Fine and Bill Ellis explain what happens when cultures collide, and they make you a smarter citizen of an increasingly connected world. If you want to spot the next whopper that appears in your in-box (or springs from the mouth of a television commentator) this book is essential."--. Chip Heath, author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die" ""In this readable, insightful book, Fine and Ellis offer a tight analysis of loose talk. They show how seemingly unrelated rumors-9-11 conspiracy theories, warnings about dangerous imported goods, and stories about stolen body parts-reveal a common theme: many people's discomfort regarding their growing experience with and exposure to what strikes them as foreign. Other analysts may cheer that the world is shrinking and getting flatter, but the stories we tell one another suggest that globalization remains pretty scary for lots of folks."--Joel Best, author of Stat-Sporting: A Field Guide to Identifying Dubious Data" ""This is a brilliant piece of cultural criticism. Fine and Ellis rigorously scrutinize the rampant paranoid rumors of our time, explaining how and why these fantasies form, what they mean, and how we should deal with them. Everyone who listens to talk radio or uses the Internet should read this book."--Jan Harold Brunvand, author of Encyclopedia of Urban Legends"--Jacket

The book explores the crucial role of small groups, termed "tiny publics," in shaping social life and fostering civic engagement. Arguing that these intimate circles—like families, sports teams, and work colleagues—are foundational to society, the author draws on over thirty-five years of ethnographic research. Through diverse examples, he illustrates how these groups develop unique cultures and provide social capital, enabling members to engage meaningfully in larger societal discourses. The insights highlight how grassroots actions can influence broader social structures.

Sociological analysis has been replete with debates about “micro” and “macro,” individual and society, but all too often these miss the point: interacting groups are the hinge that connects them. To understand how structures matter and how individuals navigate them, we must take groups and people in local communities seriously. Gary Alan Fine and Tim Hallett skillfully argue that sociologists have the obligation to examine the role of small communities in the creation of both the interaction order and structural realities. With novel concepts and rich ethnographic examples, this book describes how group commitments shape selves and society, emphasizing the importance of a meso-level approach to social organization. Focusing on shared action, Fine and Hallett provide new models of identity, culture, conflict, and control. They conclude by considering how a network of groups can provide insight into extended communication channels and social media lattices. Ultimately they show that, despite the importance of institutions and individuals, group life is the fundamental building block of community. This timely book makes the case for a local sociology that includes sociality. It will be a welcomed resource for students and sociologists and a necessary call to action for the discipline as a whole.