In this podcast episode, Malcolm Gladwell explores the dramatic drop in crime rates in New York City during the 1990s. He initially credits this decline to the "broken windows" theory from his book, "The Tipping Point." However, he later recognizes the shortcomings of his argument, especially in light of the Floyd v. City of New York case, which showed that crime rates continued to fall even after stop-and-frisk policies ended. Gladwell emphasizes the need to accept uncertainty in writing and communication, urging a more nuanced and empathetic approach to understanding complex social issues.
