7Bad Moon Rising focuses on emerging social problems, which refers to those problems that can both radically and adversely impact the current stability of our society and fundamentally change us in ways opposed to being free, happy, and well. Central to this book is the assumption that all people have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. By placing the individual as a central element in the discussion, this book does what most other texts on the subject of social problems too often ignore-the existential needs of the individual. From this sociological perspective, Bad Moon Rising explores several emerging social problems. First, the effects that technology is imposing on our most succinct inalienable rights, including freedom of thought and the right to freely debate our ideas within the new virtual public square is explored. Second, the social problem of economic inequality as it affects our middle-class tier is explored. The middle-class has been melting away in recent years, possibly leading to devastating consequences for our society. Third, human intimacy is essential to establishing personal wellbeing and happiness. As more schools encourage online classes and social networking platforms continuing to inhibit real opportunity for physical and synchronistic contact with each other, our society is now witnessing an epidemic of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and suicide. Also, the effects of decreasing marriage rates, in favor of alternative lifestyles like cohabitation is explored as, yet, another emerging problem. Finally, the subject again returns to happiness, which is achievable by having both purpose and meaning in life. Bad Moon Rising is intended to bring our nation's most pressing problems out into the public square. This is the space where the norms of pleasant civility are pushed aside for the moment. In this space, we disrobe ourselves of titles, status, and rank; here, we debate by exchanging ideas freely and robustly. The public square is the proper space to sound the alarm, especially when our leaders are telling us there is no concern, "nothing to see here; move along "