Talking to Strangers

How well do we know someone? Malcom Gladwell asks readers to explore biases in a way that begins to question the personal interactions we have each day. Using examples based on prejudice, assumption, fear, false trust, and preconceived notion, the book exposes the nature of human connection and an internal battle we face when interacting with or judging others. Our unconscious actions are built from survival instinct and previous experiences that become exposed when we meet someone new or cannot reconcile someone’s actions with whom we thought they were. This inability to understand others impacts how we navigate our lives… show more.

This book is a fantastic gateway into the power of diversity and inclusion in society. With each book, Malcolm is becoming more comfortable talking about race and the differences between people. I loved this book as it not only confronts our fears of the “other” but shows us why these interactions are so vital for the health of our society. Malcolm has a unique ability to connect stories like Sandra Bland and other tragedies to the larger picture, that something is deeply wrong with a society that can’t simply talk to each other.