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The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction
Penguin Press
February 2017
On Sale: February 7, 2017
349 pages
ISBN: 110198032X
EAN: 9781101980323
Kindle: B01HNJIJ58
Hardcover / e-Book
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Non-Fiction | Non-Fiction Philosphy
“This book picks up where The Tipping Point left off." --
Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling
author of ORIGINALS and GIVE AND TAKE Nothing “goes viral.” If you think a popular movie, song, or
app came out of nowhere to become a word-of-mouth success in
today’s crowded media environment, you’re missing the real
story. Each blockbuster has a secret history—of power,
influence, dark broadcasters, and passionate cults that turn
some new products into cultural phenomena. Even the most
brilliant ideas wither in obscurity if they fail to connect
with the right network, and the consumers that matter most
aren't the early adopters, but rather their friends,
followers, and imitators -- the audience of your audience. In his groundbreaking investigation, Atlantic senior editor
Derek Thompson uncovers the hidden psychology of why we like
what we like and reveals the economics of cultural markets
that invisibly shape our lives. Shattering the sentimental
myths of hit-making that dominate pop culture and business,
Thompson shows quality is insufficient for success, nobody
has "good taste," and some of the most popular products in
history were one bad break away from utter failure. It may
be a new world, but there are some enduring truths to what
audiences and consumers want. People love a familiar
surprise: a product that is bold, yet sneakily recognizable. Every business, every artist, every person looking to
promote themselves and their work wants to know what makes
some works so successful while others disappear. Hit Makers
is a magical mystery tour through the last century of pop
culture blockbusters and the most valuable currency of the
twenty-first century—people’s attention. From the dawn of impressionist art to the future of
Facebook, from small Etsy designers to the origin of Star
Wars, Derek Thompson leaves no pet rock unturned to tell the
fascinating story of how culture happens and why things
become popular.
In Hit Makers, Derek Thompson investigates:
· The secret link between ESPN's sticky programming
and the The Weeknd's catchy choruses
· Why Facebook is the world’s most important modern
newspaper
· How advertising critics predicted Donald Trump
· The 5th grader who accidentally launched "Rock
Around the Clock," the biggest hit in rock and roll history
· How Barack Obama and his speechwriters think of
themselves as songwriters
· How Disney conquered the world—but the future of
hits belongs to savvy amateurs and individuals
· The French collector who accidentally created the
Impressionist canon
· Quantitative evidence that the biggest music hits
aren’t always the best
· Why almost all Hollywood blockbusters are sequels,
reboots, and adaptations
· Why one year--1991--is responsible for the way pop
music sounds today
· Why another year --1932--created the business model
of film
· How data scientists proved that “going viral” is a myth
· How 19th century immigration patterns explain the
most heard song in the Western Hemisphere
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