ReThinking

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Why are people acting like everything’s fine? with Rahaf Harfoush

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Nov 25, 2025

Guest

Rahaf Harfoush

Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and author, dives into the concept of hypernormalization, where society pretends everything is normal amidst chaos. She discusses how this disconnect fuels feelings of anxiety and collective inaction. Rahaf critiques toxic productivity, advocating for humane approaches that respect individual energy cycles. The conversation highlights the importance of processing emotional turbulence from the pandemic, setting boundaries for self-care, and fostering community through kindness. It's a transformative discussion on navigating today's pressures.

41:21

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insights

INSIGHT

When Normality Feels Fake

Hypernormalization is the feeling that the world is changing while institutions act like everything is fine.
That disconnect creates cognitive dissonance that makes people feel like they're going crazy.

insights

INSIGHT

Exponential Change Overloads Us

Multiple macro forces (climate, tech, pandemic) collide to create destabilizing, exponential change for people used to incremental shifts.
Constant access to intense information amplifies nervous-system activation and uncertainty.

insights

INSIGHT

Alone In Concern Despite Shared Fear

Pluralistic ignorance and hyper-individualism compound the feeling of being alone in worry about systemic problems.
That makes people freeze instead of engaging in messy collective solutions.

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Defining Hypernormalization

01:25 • 2min

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Why People Feel Like They're Going Crazy

03:18 • 2min

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Pluralistic Ignorance and Collective Freeze

04:55 • 1min

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Individualism, Collective Problems, and Frozen Action

06:09 • 1min

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Functions and Limits of Hypernormalization

07:25 • 3min

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Holding Grief and Still Showing Up

10:13 • 1min

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Optimism vs. Lived Turbulence

11:13 • 2min

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The Pandemic's Unprocessed Emotions

13:39 • 3min

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Calming the Body to Think Clearly

16:40 • 10min

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Productivity Propaganda Critique

26:41 • 4min

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Humane Productivity: Build Systems For Humans

30:18 • 2min

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Boundaries as Skillful Self-Care

32:16 • 2min

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Internal Validation and Reparenting

34:16 • 2min

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Receiving Kindness and Community

36:10 • 3min

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Ask for Clarity to Avoid Misunderstanding

39:21 • 4min

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Nature, Awe, and Prosocial Benefits

42:58 • 2min

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Think Like a Digital Anthropologist

• Mentioned in 80 episodes

The better angels of our nature

Why Violence Has Declined

Steven Pinker

In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.

#1269

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Boundaries

When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

Dr. John Townsend

Henry Cloud

In this book, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend provide biblically-based answers to help readers set healthy boundaries with their spouses, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even themselves. The authors discuss how to establish clear personal property lines, manage digital life, and address common questions about setting boundaries. The book aims to help readers achieve a balanced lifestyle by understanding and implementing healthy boundaries in all areas of life.

#10710

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet

Thich Nhat Hanh

Sister True Dedication

This book, compiled from the teachings and writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, focuses on the application of Zen Buddhist principles to address the urgent environmental and social crises of our time. It emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and collective awakening. The book is divided into sections that discuss changing our relationship with the Earth, taking action to implement positive changes, and building communities that share these insights. It highlights the need for inner transformation and deep listening as foundational steps towards creating a regenerative world where all life is respected. The teachings are presented through Thay's meditations, Zen stories, and experiences from his activism, along with commentaries from Sister True Dedication.

#320

• Mentioned in 66 episodes

Factfulness

Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

Hans Rosling

Ola Rosling

Anna Rosling Rönnlund

In 'Factfulness,' Hans Rosling, along with his son Ola and daughter-in-law Anna, addresses why people systematically get answers wrong about global trends. They identify ten instincts that distort our perspective, such as dividing the world into 'us' and 'them,' the influence of fear-driven media, and the misconception that most things are getting worse. The book argues that, despite its imperfections, the world is in a better state than many believe and provides a framework to see progress clearly by focusing on facts rather than biases.

#11208

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Hustle and Float

Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work

Rahaf Harfoush

Hustle and Float delves into the ideological tensions between creative performance and productivity, highlighting how our work culture often prioritizes hustle over well-being. The book offers insights and tools for creatives to work more sustainably and maintain their creative edge. It critiques the societal obsession with work and productivity, tracing its roots back to the Industrial Revolution.

#1702

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

NOT THE END OF THE WORLD

Simon Reade

In our rapidly changing world, it might make you feel crazy to look around and see others going about life as usual. There’s actually a term for this phenomenon: hypernormalization. In this episode, Adam talks with Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and expert on toxic productivity culture, about the immense pressures of living through “unprecedented times.” Rahaf breaks down the concept of hypernormalization, and Adam explains why it can fuel feelings of destabilization and disconnection. The two challenge the propaganda that promotes productivity for its own sake and explore healthier ways to get things done.

Host & Guest

Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Rahaf Harfoush (Instagram: @foushy | Website: https://rahafharfoush.com/)

Links

Newsletter: https://rahaf.kit.com/

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant-transcripts

ReThinking is produced by Cosmic Standard. Our Senior Producer is Jessica Glazer, our Engineer is Aja Simpson, our Technical Director is Jacob Winik, and our Executive Producer is Eliza Smith.

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