Lectures on Tap-"Why Outrage Goes Viral: Influence, Identity, Polarization"

📍 Location: Exact address given in confirmation email [PHYSICAL ID REQUIRED]

🧠 Lecture: "Why Outrage Goes Viral: Influence, Identity, Polarization"

🎙 Speaker: Dr. Jay Van Bavel

Join us for a thought-provoking evening as Dr. Jay Van Bavel explores why outrage spreads so rapidly in our hyperconnected world—and what we can do about it. Human cooperation is one of our greatest strengths, yet the very psychological forces that bind us together can also drive division and political polarization.

Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Van Bavel will unpack how influencers and algorithms amplify identity-based conflict, reward divisive content, and accelerate the spread of misinformation online. He will also share emerging evidence on how shared identities, healthier social norms, and better-designed technologies can reduce intergroup animosity and promote collective well-being.

Dr. Jay Van Bavel is a Professor of Psychology & Neural Science at New York University, Director of the Center for Conflict & Cooperation, and an affiliate at NYU Stern. A top 1% cited researcher with over 170 publications in outlets such as Science, Nature, and PNAS, he is co-author of The Power of Us and advises institutions from the White House to the United Nations.

Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌