meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Malcolm Gladwell Talks to Dorothy Wickenden About School Shooters

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The New Yorker

Obama, Washington, Politics, President, Barack, Lizza, Wnyc, News, Wickenden

4.33.9K Ratings

🗓️ 14 March 2016

⏱️ 16 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the recent New Yorker story “Thresholds of Violence,” Malcolm Gladwell turned his attention to the psychology of school shooters. In a conversation with The New Yorker’s Dorothy Wickenden, Gladwell explains why the social dynamics of school shootings are comparable to those of a riot, where every act of violence makes the next one slightly more likely. He also explains why the problem is far too complex to be addressed through gun control.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Discover Earth's ultimate untamed places with wilderness. With access to 6 million acres of private land

0:07.7

in eight African countries, wilderness offers intimate wildlife encounters and experiences that will

0:13.0

leave you changed forever. The accommodations are luxurious and stay true to the vibrant soul

0:19.8

and spirit of each destination and the trips are

0:23.0

meticulously planned from arrival to departure, making them perfect for a group, family or

0:28.5

solo travellers. Wilderness is among the leaders of conservation hospitality, with more than 60

0:34.5

of the most highly awarded lodges in camps in Africa.

0:43.0

Wilderness is especially excited this year to focus on wellness, providing experiences that immerse you in beautiful places to restore your sense of self through nature.

0:48.1

To learn more and book your own wilderness adventure, go to wilderness destinations.com

0:52.9

slash women who travel.

0:55.7

eBay, it's a place to fall in love with new pre-loved vintage and rare fashion over and over

1:01.6

again. Your favorite designers, expertly authenticated. Yeah, eBay. Things people love.

1:16.9

I'm Dorothy Wickendenden. On today's Politics and More podcast, I talk with New Yorker staff writer Malcolm Gladwell. In a piece for the New Yorker last year, Gladwell wrote

1:22.4

about school shootings and the psychology of school shooters. The trend of mass violence, Gladwell argues, can be

1:29.3

understood as a slowly evolving riot on a national scale. Malcolm Gladwell probably needs no

1:36.7

introduction. He's the author of The Tipping Point and Outliers in other books, most recently

1:42.7

David and Goliath. He has an entirely unique approach to journalism

1:47.0

that's informed by sociology, psychology, social psychology,

1:52.0

and at this point, there's a legion of Gladwell imitators on the shelves.

1:56.0

Recently, he turned his attention to a truly awful subject,

2:00.0

the rise in school shootings in America. He wrote a piece called Threat, Recently, he turned his attention to a truly awful subject,

2:02.8

the rise in school shootings in America.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The New Yorker, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The New Yorker and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.