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Viral spread: how rumours surged in revolutionary France

Nature Podcast

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The Viral Nature of Social Protest

This chapter investigates how social protests can spread like viral outbreaks, focusing on the early French Revolution's role in mobilizing citizens through rumors. It uses a blend of historical and empirical data to assess the socio-economic factors contributing to the 'great fear,' revealing that these reactions were grounded in rationality rather than mere emotion. Additionally, it draws parallels between the diffusion of information in 18th-century France and today's interconnected world, emphasizing the importance of geographical proximity in facilitating collective action.

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