Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

98 | Olga Khazan on Living and Flourishing While Being Weird

May 25, 2020

Olga Khazan, a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of "Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World," dives into what it means to be labeled 'weird.' She shares her experiences as a Russian immigrant in Texas and discusses the societal norms that shape perceptions of individuality. The conversation highlights the advantages of embracing one's uniqueness, the psychological effects of ostracism, and the importance of supportive communities. Khazan also explores how cultural dynamics influence conformity and celebrates the strength found in diversity.

01:01:43

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Olga Khazan

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Quick takeaways

Society values normalcy and conformity, but being different brings new perspectives and creativity.

Social norms can vary across contexts and violating them can lead to ostracism.

Coping strategies for being labeled as weird vary, from finding support to navigating a balance between conformity and non-conformity.

Deep dives

The Power of Being Weird

Being different from those around you is often labeled as 'weird'. Society places a lot of value on normalcy and conformity, which can lead to those who don't follow the established norms being ostracized. However, there are benefits to being different. Standing outside the norms can bring new perspectives and creativity. It's important to rethink our preference for everything to be normal and appreciate the uniqueness that comes with being 'weird'.

Intro

3min

Embracing Weirdness: The Outsider's Perspective

9min

Exploring the Paradox of Weirdness and Normalcy

3min

Culture's Tightrope: Navigating Norms and Anxieties

20min

The Social Dynamics of Scarcity: Conformity, Ostracism, and Weirdness

4min

Navigating the Complexities of 'Weirdness'

19min

Embracing Your Weirdness

5min

Each of us is different, in some way or another, from every other person. But some are more different than others — and the rest of the world never stops letting them know. Societies set up “norms” that define what constitute acceptable standards of behavior, appearance, and even belief. But there will always be those who find themselves, intentionally or not, in violation of those norms — people who we might label “weird.” Olga Khazan was weird in one particular way, growing up in a Russian immigrant family in the middle of Texas. Now as an established writer, she has been exploring what it means to be weird, and the senses in which that quality can both harm you and provide you with hidden advantages.

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Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic, covering health, gender, and science. She has previously written for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Forbes, and other publications. Among her awards are the National Headliner Awards for Magazine Online Writing. Her new book is Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World.

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