On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The big impact of small interactions
Oct 10, 2025
Jeffrey Hall, a communication studies professor at the University of Kansas, and Andy Merola, a UC Santa Barbara professor, discuss the power of small interactions. They tackle how brief negative experiences stick with us due to negativity bias and share uplifting stories of kindness that transform perspectives. The conversation highlights the need for diverse social exchanges for deeper connections, while addressing how technology both hinders and supports communication. Finally, they explore how daily interactions can foster empathy and a sense of community.
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Plane Rudeness That Lingers
- Meghna describes a brief plane confrontation where a man blocked her and her daughter from deplaning, leaving her furious for days.
- The encounter illustrates how a short negative interaction can echo through one’s mood and perceptions.
Small Interactions Carry Big Weight
- Jeffrey explains that single moments of interaction can ‘echo’ across our lives, with negative ones weighted more heavily.
- He ties this to humans' negativity bias that makes slights stick and positive acts fade.
Five-Minute Shovel Gesture
- Elizabeth Guffey shared a story of a stranger shoveling her car out of a snowbank and saying, “everybody's got five minutes.”
- That tiny act and line became a life mantra that improved her view of others.
