Weird - The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World - Olga Khazan Audiobook

Written by Olga Khazan
Read by Renata Friedman
Format: M4B
Bitrate: 64 Kbps

Publisher’s Summary

In the tradition of Susan Cain’s Quiet and Scott Stossel’s My Age of Anxiety, Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan reclaims the concept of “weird” and turns it into a badge of honor rather than a slur, showing how being different - culturally, socially, physically, or mentally - can actually be a person’s greatest strength.

Most of us have at some point in our lives felt like an outsider, sometimes considering ourselves “too weird” to fit in. Growing up as a Russian immigrant in West Texas, Olga Khazan always felt there was something different about her. This feeling has permeated her life, and as she embarked on a science writing career, she realized there were psychological connections between this feeling of being an outsider and both her struggles and successes later in life. She decided to reach out to other people who were unique in their environments to see if they had experienced similar feelings of alienation, and if so, to learn how they overcame them. Weird is based on in-person interviews with many of these individuals, such as a woman who is professionally surrounded by men, a liberal in a conservative area, and a Muslim in a predominantly Christian town. In addition, it provides actionable insights based on interviews with dozens of experts and a review of hundreds of scientific studies.

Weird explores why it is that we crave conformity, how that affects people who are different, and what they can do about it. First, the audiobook dives into the history of social norms and why some people hew to them more strictly than others. Next, Khazan explores the causes behind - and the consequences of - social rejection. She then reveals the hidden upsides to being “weird”, as well as the strategies that people who are different might use in order to achieve success in a society that values normalcy. Finally, the audiobook follows the trajectories of unique individuals who either decided to be among others just like them; to stay weird; or to dwell somewhere in between.

Combining Khazan’s own story with those of others and with fascinating takeaways from cutting-edge psychology research, Weird reveals how successful individuals learned to embrace their weirdness, using it to their advantage.

Critic Reviews

“An insightful ode to oddballs…. [Olga Khazan’s is] a voice unlike any I can remember encountering on the page. By turns insouciantly candid, calmly authoritative, and poignantly insightful, Khazan’s persona has a startling freshness that ultimately wins over the reader…. [She extends] deep empathy and genuine curiosity to her subjects.” (The Washington Post)

“I feel seen. And I’m confident I’m not the only one who will recognize myself in these pages. Olga Khazan is a witty, engaging writer, and Weird is a compelling journey into the world of ‘different’ - and a field guide to weaponizing your inner weirdo for the good.” (Maria Konnikova, author of Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes and The Confidence Game)

“A series of sharp, empathetic portraits…. A winning demonstration of the value of difference.” (Publishers Weekly)