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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Show Notes:

Are We Living in the Truman Show?
The Danger of Self-Silencing
How to Know What People REALLY Think
Why We Are Suckers For Groupthink
Social Media: Why Bots Are Everywhere
Why Persuasion is the Wrong Strategy for Fighting Collective Illusions
There is More Social Trust in America Than You Think
How We Can Fight Collective Illusions
The Human Need to Be Understood
Steelmanning & the Popperian Solution
The Role of Fiction
The Dawn of a New Era?
Todd as World Emperor

Books Mentioned:

Collective Illusions; by Todd Rose
The End of Average; by Todd Rose
The Power of the Powerless (essay); by Václav Havel
Troubled; by Rob Henderson
The Idea Factory; by Jon Gertner
Theory of Moral Sentiments; by Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations; by Adam Smith
White Mirror; by Tinkered Thinking
The Guns of August; by Barbara Tuchman

Todd Rose — Are We Living in the Truman Show? (EP.270)

Infinite Loops