Plain English with Derek Thompson

It's Not Just You: America's Epidemic of Bad Behavior

Apr 8, 2022

In this engaging discussion, Olga Khazan, a staff writer at The Atlantic known for her keen insights into social trends, sheds light on America's alarming rise in bad behavior. She explores how chronic stress and the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled violent crime and antisocial actions. The ripple effect of rudeness in high-stress situations is revealed, alongside the impacts of political rhetoric and isolation on societal norms. Khazan provides a thought-provoking analysis on how these factors have made communities more unruly.

43:56

Episode guests

Olga Khazan

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

6min

Rising Tide of Violence and Misconduct

14min

The Impact of Chronic Stress on Social Behavior

2min

Navigating Stress in a Complicated World

3min

Navigating Social Stress in a Post-Pandemic World

3min

The Ripple Effect of Rudeness

15min

There is an epidemic of bad behavior sweeping the country. In 2020, homicides increased by a record-high rate. Last year, pedestrian and vehicular deaths went up by a record-high rate. There have been more attacks in hospitals, schools, and stadiums and more unruly airline passengers than any time on record. What on Earth is going on? Today’s guest is Olga Khazan, a staff writer at The Atlantic. She and Derek talk about how America lost its damn mind and review the most obvious and most interesting theories for what's really behind this bad-behavior epidemic.

Host: Derek Thompson

Guest: Olga Khazan

Producer: Devon Manze

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