Todd Rose, co-founder and CEO of Populace and a Harvard professor, dives into the fascinating world of collective illusions. He reveals the dangers of self-silencing, particularly among women, and critiques how societal pressures shape public opinion. Todd discusses innovative methods for eliciting honest sentiments and emphasizes that true change begins with individual courage. The conversation explores the power of storytelling in media, advocating for open dialogue to bridge the gap between private beliefs and public expressions, ultimately fostering social trust.
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insights INSIGHT
The Danger of Self-Silencing
Most Americans self-silence and misrepresent their views publicly due to social pressure.
This leads to collective illusions where public consensus differs significantly from private beliefs.
insights INSIGHT
Conformity Bias and Social Media
Human brains have a conformity bias triggered by perceptions of group agreement.
Social media amplifies loud minority voices, misleading us about majority beliefs.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Combatting Collective Illusions
Name and understand collective illusions to challenge your assumptions about group beliefs.
Create safe space by encouraging honest conversation and becoming an ally for differing views.
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The End of Average
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The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith
Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.
The Idea Factory
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The Idea Factory traces the origins of some of the twentieth century's most important inventions, such as the transistor, laser, digital communications, and cellular telephony. The book focuses on the lives and work of brilliant and eccentric scientists like Mervin Kelly, Bill Shockley, Claude Shannon, John Pierce, and Bill Baker, who spent their careers at Bell Labs. It delves into the organizational structure and strategies that enabled Bell Labs to sustain a golden age of innovation, including the physical layout designed for serendipitous interactions and the creation of courses to diffuse knowledge. The book also distinguishes between 'invention' and 'innovation,' highlighting Bell Labs' involvement in the full vertical stack from theory to marketable products.
The Power of the Powerless
Václav Havel
Keane, John
Written in 1978, 'The Power of the Powerless' is a seminal essay by Václav Havel that critiques the post-totalitarian systems of Eastern Europe. The essay, which was circulated in samizdat form, argues that individuals living within such systems must 'live in truth' to challenge the pervasive lies and ideological control of the state. Havel uses the example of a greengrocer displaying a communist slogan to illustrate the mechanisms of compliance and the potential for resistance. The book, edited by John Keane, includes responses from various contributors and provides a broad spectrum of democratic opinions on freedom, power, and civil liberty under totalitarian conditions.
The Guns of August
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In this landmark account, Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I, tracing the events from the funeral of Edward VII to the battles on the Western and Eastern fronts. The book focuses on the political machinations and military strategies that led to the outbreak of war, highlighting the roles of key players and the inevitability of the conflict. Tuchman's narrative is known for its comprehensive and engaging portrayal of the period, making it a classic in historical literature.
Collective Illusions
Todd Rose
Troubled
A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class
Rob Henderson
Todd Rose, co-founder and CEO of Populace and author of books including "Collective Illusions" and "The End of Average," joins the show to discuss the science behind collective illusions and their impact on society.
We explore why so many Americans self-silence, the dangers of conformity, and how one person can spark change.
Todd and I are simpatico on… pretty much everything! So this was a fun one. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!,” check out our Substack.
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