The Social Virus: How Ideas Spread and Societies Tip

Malcolm Gladwell returns with a fascinating exploration of social epidemics and the hidden forces that trigger massive behavioral shifts. From bank robbery waves to vaccine skepticism, discover how 'superspreaders' and cultural 'overstories' shape our collective behavior in predictable yet surprising ways. Through compelling case studies - including the COVID-19 Biogen outbreak and the opioid crisis - learn how understanding these social tipping points could help us better navigate future epidemics, both viral and behavioral. This episode reveals why some ideas spread like wildfire while others fizzle out, and how small changes in group dynamics can revolutionize entire communities.