This American Life 245: Allure of the Mean Friend
51 snips
Jul 27, 2025 
Jonathan Goldstein, host of the podcast 'Heavyweight', dives into the complex world of mean friends and their unsettling allure. He confronts former bullies from his past, revealing how their intimidating presence lingers long after childhood. The discussion shifts to an intriguing experiment with waitresses to assess whether friendliness translates to better tips, uncovering surprising truths about human behavior. Additionally, personal anecdotes highlight the emotional weight of friendships shaped by fear and power dynamics.
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High School Popular Girls' Power
- Lily Allison describes the rules of high school popularity where the meanest and prettiest girls hold power.
- Being mean is a strategy since they know they can be disliked but still loved by everyone.
Jackie Cohen's Mean Popularity
- Jackie Cohen was the meanest, most popular girl in junior high, dominating social life with ruthless control.
- Despite her cruelty, she could show moments of genuine pity and complexity.
Mean Sister and Craved Abuse
- Maureen Cohen, Jackie's sister, was even meaner and more popular, intimidating others effortlessly.
- She acknowledges some people like to be abused and crave that attention, which she exploits.
