The Attention Economy: Why Your Focus Is the World's Most Valuable Currency
In an age of endless notifications and infinite scrolling, why does it feel like we have less capacity to focus than ever before? In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the Attention Economy—an appro...
5 Feb 33min
Your Best Friend You've Never Met: The Science of Parasocial Relationships
Have you ever felt a genuine sense of friendship with a podcaster, YouTuber, or celebrity you have never actually met?,. In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the psychology of parasocial inter...
5 Feb 29min
The Fame Machine: From Society Columns to Influencer Culture
What drives our global obsession with the personal lives of the famous? In this episode of pplpod, we dissect "celebrity culture"—a phenomenon fueled by consumer interests where individuals transform ...
5 Feb 33min
Scandal Sheets, Supermarkets, and Catch & Kill: The Evolution of Tabloid Journalism
In this episode of pplpod, we peel back the headlines to explore the history of tabloid journalism, a sensationalist style that evolved from the "yellow journalism" and "scandal sheets" of the past. W...
5 Feb 28min
Puppet Masters: The Psychology of Manipulation
Have you ever felt like someone was pulling your strings? In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the complex world of psychological manipulation. We discuss how manipulation differs from general...
5 Feb 35min
Did That Really Happen? The History, Psychology, and Misuse of Gaslighting
Is it a calculated form of psychological abuse or just a buzzword for a bad argument? In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex world of "gaslighting," Merriam-Webster’s 2022 Word of the Year....
5 Feb 32min
Decoding Q: From 4chan Breadcrumbs to the Capitol Insurrection
In this episode of pplpod, we trace the chaotic evolution of QAnon, the far-right political conspiracy theory and movement that reshaped American politics. What began in 2017 with cryptic "drops" from...
5 Feb 42min
Folk Devils & Fear Factories: From Comic Books to QAnon, What Fuels a Moral Panic?
Why do societies suddenly become terrified that "evil" forces are threatening their way of life? In this episode, we dive deep into the sociology of the moral panic, a phenomenon where public fear is ...
5 Feb 37min
