Welcome to a weekly segment called "Social Circle." It's truly a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in this column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.

This week's Social Circle question is a vague one, and yet, people expressed strong opinions on the subject. Some folks are certain the city's on the up and up, whereas others are not quite as optimistic.

But what do you think? Is Milwaukee thriving or dying?

Marino Baca: "Thriving."

Paul Baumler: "The city itself hasn't shown any life for ages compared to the surrounding cities. It's been dying for years."

Mollie Boutell Butler: "Depends, in part, on June 5."

Jason Cleereman: "I am going down fighting."

Celesté Contreras: "THRIVING!"

George Darrow: "Thriving/striving."

Gretchen Fennema: "Thriving."

James J. Godsil: "Milwaukee is in transition from an industrial city to an organic information city. We have the cultural and spiritual capital to overcome today's challenges, drawing from the best of the old and discovering much of the best of the new. We, especially the best and the brightest of the new generation, are at the dawn of some kind of renaissance. Check out work of Riverwest folks, Victory Garden Initiative, Growing Power, Sweet Water, Walnut Way, Express Yourself, Riverwest Coop, among most inspiring new enterprises. Retiring boomers learning from and mentoring new generations to revision our fair city."

Jacent Jackson: "Neither. Milwaukee is not attracting new people. People do not leave Milwaukee, either. I have never lived in a city where the residents have such deep roots. This is probably the city's best asset and biggest liability. I think of Milwaukee as America's biggest small town. With all the positive and negative connotations that implies, of course."

Tif Koehler: "Areas have gone to hell in a hand basket."

Mike Koppa: "Doesn't it kind of depend on where you live and who you are? It's a pretty big and complex city."

Ed Makowski: "According to NY Times and Esquire: thriving, according to the Atlantic: dying."

Lisa Malmarowski: "Thriving."

Steven Morris: "A mixed bag!"

Andy Pagel: "Thriving."

Judie Papadakis: "Some are dying and some are thriving. We need to do more for the dying. It is a great city with lots of things to do. It needs to elevate all so everyone is invested in this city. We all then will take better care of it."

Cynthia Packersrule Porter: "Dying under Walker!"

Kristin Raymond: "Depends on what part of the city you're talking about."

Jason Snider: "Cut, cut, cut; cheaper, cheaper, cheaper; less, less, less. Race to the bottom. Wal-martization in city form."

Toni Spott: "Totally thriving."

Ellen Takerian: "We'll make it, at least, through the Mayan apocalypse."

Mary Thompson: "That depends on June 5."

Gary Tuma: "Demographics suggest death. Our spirit and enthusiasm suggest thrive. We must keep our young educated-creative people here."

Gary Witt: "Maybe the way to consider this is to compare Milwaukee in 2002 to Milwaukee in 2012. I say it has changed for the better in those 10 years. I also say the influx of new people to our city has helped to make it so. That did not seem to be happening prior."

Chris Zito: "Water Street is dying, unfortunately. Sad to return and find that area in such a state."