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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks summary
Joe Federer
How Brands Create Authentic Engagement by Understanding What Motivates Us
24 mins
Brief summary
In 'The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks' by Joe Federer, readers gain an understanding of the power dynamics of social networks, how they control attention, and how we can navigate them for our benefit.
Table of Contents
The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
The idea of the meme comes from evolutionary biology.
“Meme.” It’s a word that’s been flying around for a while now. If you’re an internet user of any sort, you probably instinctively know what one is. You’ve seen the silly pictures, GIFs, and videos that gain massive traction on social media. You’ve probably even shared one or two. But you might be unfamiliar with how and why the word entered our vocabulary.
To understand that, we have to dig into some science.
The key message here is: The idea of the meme comes from evolutionary biology.
Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins coined the term “meme” in his book The Selfish Gene. He described how genes are the real drivers of evolution. Through the process of natural selection, successful genes manage to pass themselves down from one generation to the next. He called the vehicle for those genes, be it a plant or an animal, a gene machine.
Dawkins also noticed that things like ideas, songs, fashions, and languages are passed down in human society in a similar way to genes. He called these memes.
Like genes, memes go through an evolutionary process. Think of how ideas evolve. The initial idea is conceived by one human being, and then it’s transmitted to another. As it comes into contact with other brains, it mutates and develops. If an idea is attractive, it becomes successful; otherwise, it fizzles out.
And just like genes, memes have to be transmitted through a vehicle. But rather than through the bodies of animals and plants, memes travel through different formats: meme machines.
Take the example of the “Mondays Suck” meme, which is based on the idea that we all hate Mondays because we have to go back to work. It’s obviously a relatable meme, and its success is evident in its many different formats. Numerous GIFs, tweets, and videos carry the Mondays Suck meme throughout the internet.
It has also propagated in other offline ways. For instance, the entire premise of the film Office Space centers on the idea. And, long ago, the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius dedicated a chapter of his Meditations to this very subject. Through all of these different meme machines, the meme has persisted and spread through our culture.
In the next blink, we’ll look at why the machine is just as important as the meme itself.
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What is The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks about?
The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks (2020) describes how brands can create effective and authentic content by understanding the basics of human psychology. Drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis, it gets to the bottom of our online habits and shows brands how to connect with people on a deeper level.
The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks Review
The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks (2021) explores the intricate ways in which social networks shape our behavior and identity. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It sheds light on the underlying psychological mechanisms that drive our interactions on social media, offering valuable insights into our digital lives.
- By examining case studies and research findings, the book reveals the potential impact of social networks on our mental health and overall well-being.
- Through its thought-provoking exploration of topics such as online identity, influence, and self-presentation, it presents a fresh perspective on our digitally connected world.
Who should read The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks?
- Brand strategists at companies big or small
- Content creators of any type
- Those curious about how brands are trying to get their attention
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The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks FAQs
What is the main message of The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks?
The main message of The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks is understanding the unconscious ways social networks influence our behavior.
How long does it take to read The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks?
The reading time for The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks is worth reading for its insights into the subconscious effects of social networks on our lives.
Who is the author of The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks?
The author of The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks is Joe Federer.
What to read after The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Hidden Psychology of Social Networks, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Psychology of Intelligence by Jean Piaget
- Zero to One (new version) by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
- The Science of Selling by David Hoffeld
- Career Confidence by Robynn Storey
- Life Is Hard by Kieran Setiya
- The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Remote Work Revolution by Tsedal Neeley
- Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung
- Love Life by Matthew Hussey