Sunita Sah (on defiance)

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Jan 22, 2025

Sunita Sah, an award-winning professor of organizational psychology and author of "Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes," sheds light on the complexities of defiance and compliance. She discusses how Milgram's experiment influenced her career, and the communal importance of speaking up for others. Sunita explains the five elements that define a genuine 'yes' and shares a touching story about her mother’s unexpected act of defiance that taught her hope, highlighting how aligning our actions with values can reduce stress and promote authenticity.

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ANECDOTE

Clara's Defiance

Sunita Sah admired her defiant friend Clara in high school.
Clara challenged authority by breaking dress code and standing out, inspiring Sunita.

ANECDOTE

Teacher's Unethical Behavior

Sunita witnessed a teacher being friendly to her after he had beaten another child.
This made her realize authority figures can be unethical and don't always have others' best interests at heart.

ANECDOTE

George Floyd Case Analysis

Sunita analyzes the George Floyd case, focusing on the rookie officers present.
She questions what she would have done in their position, highlighting the difficulty of defying authority.

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I Contain Multitudes

The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life

Ed Yong

In 'I Contain Multitudes', Ed Yong delves into the fascinating world of microbes, revealing how these microscopic organisms shape our health, influence our environment, and are integral to the functioning of ecosystems. The book discusses the discovery of microbes, their symbiotic relationships with humans and other organisms, and their impact on digestion, immune systems, and even human behavior. Yong emphasizes that microbes are not just disease-causing agents but are mostly beneficial, living in harmony with us and other creatures. The book offers a grand view of life, highlighting the complexity and importance of microbial ecosystems and their potential for advancing healthcare and our understanding of the natural world[2][4][5].

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Obedience to Authority

an experimental view

Stanley Milgram

In 'Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View,' Stanley Milgram presents the results of his seminal experiments conducted between 1961 and 1965 at Yale University. These experiments explored how far individuals would go in obeying orders from authority figures, even when those orders involved inflicting pain on others. The book delves into the psychological and social factors that drive obedience, including the concepts of 'authority bias' and the 'agentic state,' where individuals surrender their personal responsibility to an authority figure. Milgram's work raises critical questions about morality, personal responsibility, and the impact of situational factors on human actions.

Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes

Dr. Sunita Sah