The Joy of Belonging: What Marathon Fans Teach Us About Human Nature
Issue 187: Today over a million people are cheering on the NYC Marathon runners. We explain why we cheer on strangers.
New Yorkers are famous for having no time, no patience, and definitely no interest in small talk with strangers. But today, over two million are expected to line the streets, yelling, clapping, and high-fiving sweaty people they’ve never met. It’s the NYC marathon. Some came to support their family or friends, but before long, nearly everyone in the crowd finds themselves enthusiastically cheering for strangers.
Back in 2022, Dr. Anni Sternisko, was one of the runners. She recently spoke with the New York Post about her experience and why New Yorkers would spend their precious Sunday rooting for strangers. She explains the strange psychology of fans below:
The overview: Why do we cheer even for total strangers?
There are many reasons, but let’s unpack four of them in more detail.
The marathon turns strangers into teammates
We love social rituals
Cheering together connects us
Supporting the runners feels good
The marathon tur…
Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Dominic Packer & Jay Van Bavel.
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