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.
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Olga's Weirdness
- Olga Khazan's unusual upbringing as a Russian immigrant in West Texas inspired her to explore the concept of "weirdness".
- Her experience of having a common Russian name, Olga, highlighted the subjectivity of weirdness, as it wasn't weird in Russia.
Height Bias in Medicine
- Michael Ayn, a person of short stature, faced challenges breaking into medicine due to societal biases against his height.
- People questioned his authority as a doctor solely based on his height, rather than his skills.
Cultural Fit Bias
- "Cultural fit," often prioritized in hiring, can exclude neuroatypical or atypical individuals.
- This preference for normalcy hinders diversity and inclusion in workplaces.
