The Brian Lehrer Show So Rude
Aug 28, 2025
Allie Volpe, a Vox correspondent, investigates whether rudeness is truly on the rise or if it's a perception shaped by modern society. She explores how individualism and technology contribute to declining social manners. Discover the impact of viral videos on air travel etiquette and generational differences in perceptions of rudeness. The conversation highlights the dangers of societal indifference and the importance of fostering empathy, while ultimately emphasizing how small acts of kindness can transform our interactions.
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More Ways To Be Annoying Than Before
- Technology and cultural focus on individual comfort increase opportunities to be annoying to others.
- We prioritize personal convenience over noticing how actions affect people, widening perceived rudeness.
Rudeness Spreads Like A Contagion
- Rudeness spreads like a contagion: seeing it makes you more likely to be rude.
- That social contagion makes incivility self-reinforcing across public interactions.
Generations See Phone Use Differently
- Generational norms shape what counts as rude, especially around phones.
- Younger people often normalize device use that older generations view as disrespectful.