The Psychology Podcast 8: Modern rudeness in Stone Age minds
11 snips
Jan 26, 2015 
Amy Alkon, advice columnist and science writer known for Ask the Advice Goddess, explores why Stone Age minds clash with modern city life. She discusses ADHD and creativity, how anonymity fuels rudeness, practical ways to curb incivility, the role of listening and dignity in communication, and the power of small daily kindnesses.
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ADHD As Excess Attention That Fuels Creativity
- Amy reframes ADHD as excess attention that fuels rapid associative creativity and punning.
- She says stimulants (Adderall) helped focus scattered attention, producing the best writing days and revealing her 'hunter-gatherer' multitasking strengths.
Dunbar's Number Explains When Civility Collapses
- Beyond ~150 relationships Dunbar found, civility breaks down because reputational constraints vanish.
- Alkon ties evidence from Christmas cards, Facebook friends, hunter-gatherers and army units to this cognitive limit.
Use Listening Empathy And Dignity To Persuade
- Communicate with listening, empathy, and dignity to persuade people effectively.
- Alkon recommends pre-planning to listen rather than waiting to talk, and using empathy to make people feel accepted before offering arguments.
