The Nature of Virality: From Ideas to Opioids - Malcolm Gladwell – Podcast Recap

This Podcast Recap is from an in-depth conversation that applies theories of asymmetrical social influence to several major social phenomena in the modern era, arguing that a small percentage of actors often drive the majority of outcomes. A large segment of the discussion focuses on the history of capital punishment in the U.S., suggesting that the continuous shift in execution methods—from the electric chair to lethal injection and nitrogen gas—is intended to make the killing process more acceptable to the viewing public. The speakers connect this idea of asymmetry to the spread of concepts and problems, citing the Oxycontin epidemic as a case where pharmaceutical companies ruthlessly focused on a small number of super-prescribing doctors to maximize sales. Furthermore, the conversation examines why storytelling is far more infectious than facts in spreading ideas, proposing that humans are naturally drawn to narratives that betray their expectations. Other topics explored include the peculiar nature of the trans athlete debate and the questionable practice of admissions preferences for athletes at elite American universities.

#MalcolmGladwell #ChrisWilliamson #SocialPsychology