Episode 7: Think Small
The Arthur Brooks Show
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number and scope of crises we constantly see flashing across our phones and television screens. In fact, our brains – and our hearts – aren’t built to process conflicts on such a massive scale. In this episode, Arthur looks at ‘thinking small,’ the notion that by focusing on what is individual, local, and within our sphere of influence, we can paradoxically bring about more change, disagree more productively, and become happier people. Hear conversations with Paul Slovic, Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon, and James and Deborah Fallows, who share stories from their journey across the country for their book “Our Towns.”
References and further reading:
“If I look at the mass I will never act”: Psychic numbing and genocide | Paul Slovic
Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America | James Fallows and Deborah Fallows
Sign up for Arthur’s bi-weekly newsletter.
You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, and ART19. The Arthur Brooks Show is published by The Vox Media Podcast Network.