Todd Rose

On today’s podcast, Sarah and Steve talk with Todd Rose, author of Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions. How much of our thinking about each other is informed by false assumptions? What are the consequences of a society this mistrustful? And what are we to do about it? Show Notes:-Collective Illusions by Todd Rose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Todd Rose, co-founder of Populace and author of "Collective Illusions," dives into the surprising unity among Americans on controversial issues like abortion and immigration. He discusses how public sentiment often differs from what political discourse suggests, revealing the dangers of self-silencing. Dr. Rose also highlights the overwhelming belief in societal unfairness and advocates for critical thinking education methods like Socratic dialogue. His insights challenge the notion of division, promoting a more nuanced understanding of American beliefs.

Dr. Todd Rose joins us to shed light on why we fall victim to social influences and how we often misjudge the beliefs of others. We dive into the deep psychological underpinnings of America's recent cultural breakdown of public trust and why so many people on the left and right are being pressured into self-censorship. Dr. Todd Rose is the author of "Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions". He is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. He was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education Program. Follow him on Twitter at @ltoddrose.

Todd Rose, CEO of Populace and expert in social opinion studies, joins the discussion to unveil his research on the Social Pressure Index. He reveals a startling gap between private beliefs and public expressions in America, emphasizing the chilling effects of social pressures on honest dialogue. The conversation touches on the implications of these trends for upcoming elections, the evolution of meritocracy vs. diversity in policies, and how self-silencing erodes trust in institutions, challenging us to rethink communication in a polarized society.

Todd Rose, co-founder and CEO of Populace, joins Minouche Shafik, President of Columbia University, who recently announced her resignation. They dive into the current political scene, highlighting voter sentiment shifts towards educational reform and the importance of individualized learning experiences. The conversation takes a turn toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the 2024 election. They also explore the intersection of activism and academia, discussing how identity influences public perception and the future of educational policies.