Why we should talk to strangers, according to Malcolm Gladwell

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Published 2019-09-07
Malcolm Gladwell is a prolific author and thought leader. He talks to Anne McElvoy about his latest book “Talking to Strangers” and why we should adjust the way we interact with people we don't know. Click here for the full interview: econ.st/2ZYUkcM

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00:09 - What is a stranger?
00:41 - What draws you to talking to strangers?
01:15 - Consequences of misunderstanding strangers and the Sandra Bland case
06:33 - What is the difference between default to truth and confirmation bias?
07:14 - The Amanda Knox case
10:23 - Changing world of data, privacy, social media, challenging the notion of a stranger
11:20 - The notion of AI
13:39 - Who in public life do you think popular conception has most misunderstood?
14:13 - Donald Trump and what a candidate for presidency should look like
15:30 - Do you think Trump is made for the job?

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All Comments (21)
  • @katd2191
    I have been taking to strangers since I could talk. For a while there I was Being mocked by others for wasting time spending too much time doing so. But it has brought everything such depth of knowledge about the universe. Can I imagine a world where ideas were shred not only by those who have big platforms or hold positions or have access to social media?
  • @dshepherd107
    Malcolm’s book,”Outliers” was excellent. Made me see things in a whole new light.
  • @moreid202
    I've been doing this since the age of 5. I've only had one incident: a man took me to his house only to realise I wasn't the right kid - it happens. Anyway, I've learnt loads! I once spoke to a Nigerian guy who was a trained engineer and he taught me about nano technology and more. Great topic!
  • @warrengday
    Interesting interview - read several of his books, enlightening to see and hear him talk in person.
  • @JCResDoc94
    ☼ "a friend you haven't met"!! it was right there!
  • @daneladydriver
    I'm an over the road truck driver and I'm ALWAYS around strangers. I'm also a 65 year old woman which means I'm pretty much invisible to most of society, but at this age people also see me as 'safe' and aren't afraid to talk to me when I approach them. I'm not afraid to talk to anybody and I ask permission to take their photo as well. I mean at this age, I'm not really worried about what people might think of me, lol. Call me weird or eccentric and I'll say THANK YOU!!
  • @johnyoon1213
    Talking to strangers make you to follow the social conventions that people expect, allowing you to be a better communicator and find opportunities as a public figure.
  • @tatiyana8934
    What a perfect way of speaking - I mean the pronunciation -🙏🌟 - it is so comfortable to listen - 🙏, although I can't say my English is fluent.. - And very interesting subject - 👍🌟🙏
  • @mimimosa259
    This was an ad on my feed and I watched the whole thing. Very intersting
  • @Nautilus1972
    In my experience of 18 years, teachers are hired because of their looks. It has become the primary decider in hiring from what I have come to see.
  • @murrayreid2644
    I do this all the time, this is what we do in rural Canada. I've done this in other countries, the elderly are especially interested to talk to strangers.
  • @emem2863
    I like Malcolm Gladwell, but I disagree with his assessment of the Sandra Bland case. Police should be trained to deal with the public. Angry, impatient people, like the cop, should not be cops.

    Also, he seems to make things overly complicated unnecessarily.
  • I guess I'm the outlier for trusting people, but that explains a lot - my kids are homeschooled and I tend to think everyone is lying until I'm proven wrong.
  • @manubhatt3
    There is a saying in hindi: "ये दुनिया विश्वास पे ही टिकी है|" meaning this world is based upon a single pillar of trust.
    Very apt.
  • @ehsanb3322
    Frustratingly the title of this video didn’t actually answer any questions as to ‘why we should talk to strangers’ just a collection of cases?
  • @steelxx1779
    Oh my god I found a way to finally fall asleep, watching these podcasts.
  • Unpacks complex human behaviour traits in very simple and straightforward terms.