#Social Influence

How Examples Spread Good and Evil Alike

Beyond individuals, networks magnify example. Christakis and Fowler’s analyses of the Framingham network (NEJM, 2007–2008) reported that obesity, smoking cessation, and happiness clustered and propagated along social ties. In controlled settings, Damon Centola (Science, 2010) showed that ‘complex contagions’—new norms requiring reinforcement—spread best through clustered, redundant connections. These results clarify La Rochefoucauld’s phrase ‘produces its like’: actions ripple not merely linearly but through patterned webs, where structure decides whether a spark becomes a cascade. [...]

Act As If What You Expect of Others Is Happening - Johnnie Coleman

Johnnie Coleman was an influential figure in the New Thought movement, emphasizing the power of thoughts and beliefs in shaping reality, reflecting a broader philosophical perspective that encourages proactive thinking. [...]

The World Is Changed by Your Example, Not by Your Opinion - Paulo Coelho

It underscores the idea that societal change is driven by individuals who actively participate and demonstrate their values through actions rather than solely by those who vocalize their opinions without taking concrete steps. [...]