Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

“Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know” is a non-fiction book written by Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell. The book was published in 2019 and explores the challenges and complexities of human communication and interaction with people we don’t know well. It delves into the often-misleading nature of first impressions, trust, and our ability to accurately understand and predict the behavior of strangers.

Gladwell uses a combination of real-world examples, case studies, and historical events to illustrate his points, examining high-profile cases like the arrest of Sandra Bland, the spy Robert Hanssen, and the scandal involving Larry Nassar, the doctor who abused young gymnasts. He discusses the concept of “default to truth,” where people tend to believe others and trust them until there’s a reason not to.

Throughout the book, Gladwell raises thought-provoking questions about the limits of our understanding when it comes to strangers and highlights the potential consequences of miscommunication and misjudgment. “Talking to Strangers” is part of Gladwell’s signature style of blending psychology, sociology, and storytelling to explore intriguing topics and challenge conventional wisdom.