Social Butterflies: Reclaiming the Positive Power of Social Networks

Behavioral scientists Sanders and Hume investigate patterns of social interaction in this stimulating analysis. Using case studies, historical examples, and interpretations of characters from pop culture fixtures such as Gilmore Girls and the Harry Potter novels, the authors consider how individuals within groups interact with and influence each other. They argue that people can positively impact others in simple ways: cleaning up after oneself, inviting a new acquaintance or coworker out for coffee, serving as a role model, and being available for calls or meetings. “Our networks and identities are as important as our preferences and beliefs,” they write, and show how the networks people maintain have a dramatic impact on one’s happiness and how one treats others. Many of their assumptions are based on the work of economists Daniel Kahneman, Cass Sunstein, and Richard Thaler, who have argued that “trust is a matter of feelings and not just of facts” when influencing human behaviors. While the examples the authors present are intriguing and varied, they often pose more questions than answers and finish with bland conclusions: “The overwhelming majority of acts, by the overwhelming majority of people, are positive. We mustn’t lose sight of that.” This enticing work provides a handy unpacking of the basics of human interaction. (May)