Worklife with Adam Grant ReThinking: Why are people acting like everything’s fine? with Rahaf Harfoush
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Nov 25, 2025 
In this conversation, Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and author, dives into the concept of hypernormalization, explaining why many feel destabilized in today's chaotic world. She critiques toxic productivity culture, arguing it exacerbates burnout and disconnect. Rahaf emphasizes the importance of balancing grief with joy, recognizing individual experiences within collective struggles. She advocates for humane productivity that aligns with personal rhythms and stresses the significance of community care and boundaries for better emotional health.
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When Normality Feels Fake
- Hypernormalization is the feeling that the world is changing while institutions act like everything is normal.
- This creates cognitive dissonance that makes people feel like they're going crazy.
Macro Forces Fuel Instability
- Several macro forces collide: climate change, new technology, and the pandemic leaving people destabilized.
- Constant connection to information floods our nervous systems and magnifies uncertainty.
Zoom Out, But Notice The Individual
- Zooming out helps spot long-term trends but can miss individuals' emotional experiences.
- People often freeze because they face abstract, complex problems without clear personal actions.
