The chapter explores the concept of collective effervescence and how it can be experienced in everyday moments, highlighting the power of spontaneous moments of unity. The speakers share personal experiences of feeling connected to strangers in unexpected situations and discuss the joy of creating magical moments through simple acts of goofiness and connecting with others.
Dr. Shira Gabriel is a psychologist who studies the science of human connection. In recent years she’s turned her attention to collective effervescence, a feeling we get when we experience something transcendent with other people. If you've ever been to a concert or a political rally, you've probably felt this type of awe. Shira explains the many mental health benefits of collective effervescence and why it's easier to seek out than you might think (spoiler alert: you can still experience it even if you don't like big crowds!)
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like our recent interviews with Dacher Keltner and Min Kym.
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