Hit Makers

In 'Hit Makers,' Derek Thompson delves into the mysteries of popularity, tracing the history of hits from the 13th-century tunic craze to modern-day blockbusters like Star Wars.

Thompson shatters myths about hit-making, revealing that quality alone is not enough for success and that many popular products were close to failure.

He introduces concepts like MAYA (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable) and the balance between novelty and familiarity, highlighting how influential people and networks play a crucial role in making things viral.

The book is a comprehensive look at how culture happens and why certain things capture people's attention.