Violence at the airport or over mask mandates, rudeness, crime and reckless driving are all on the rise. Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World (Hachette Go, 2020), explores the theories as to why people are behaving so badly.

@BrianLehrer I've noticed people have been PRESSED. I attributed it to folks being locked up in Covid for 2 yrs and warming temps cuz of climate change shortening fuses and simmering tempers

— an italian girl from new york (@xmasslh) April 7, 2022

It started in the 90s. Humor on television and movies started glorifying disrespect insults as hilarious. It’s been all downhill from there. The pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated the problem, but it did not start the decline.

— Francesca (@lacasinera) April 7, 2022

When it comes to politics, too many people are now treating governing like sports. Working together and coming to consensus on laws are considered to be the actions of losers.

— Lisa (@vegaslisa777) April 7, 2022

I’ll add to the convo about why some folks are harming each other more: I agree w/folks being pressed & untethered, ALSO its the competitiveness that gets stirred up when people think there is scarcity. It raises all our adrenaline & puts folks into fight or flight all the time

— Ashley (she/her) (@ACSawyerJustice) April 7, 2022

I'm a car owner but also a biker and pedestrian and the driving out there is insane. Maybe b/c more cars on the road from pandemic (NYC surpassed LA for traffic), construction, etc. People regularly and casually run reds, block bike lanes, drive on wrong side (!). Also real rage.

— Avi Glickstein (@HelloHarvi) April 7, 2022

This isn’t new. Preston Brooks almost beat Charles Sumner to death on the floor of Congress in the 1800’s.

— Hugo Chavez’s Ghost (@1stab1egenius) April 7, 2022

@BrianLehrer maybe one way these trends connect is that we find out things we thought were necessary, like going to the office, aren't; and so we question whether other things we thought were rules (don't call names, don't wave a gun) are also overthrown

— no relation to josh or bethany, those creeps (@bklynharuspex) April 7, 2022

Such a relevant and timely topic, @BrianLehrer. Can't count the # of times I've said to myself recently, "We've lost our minds." I think the "us vs. them" mindset, which is perpetuated by social media, politicians and cable news, drives a lot of these outbursts.

— Erin Sandberg (@Erin_Sandberg) April 7, 2022

Olga, there are many types of meditation, consider yoga, Tai chi or jiu jitsu. Inhale pink, exhale blue.

— Captain Critical John E. Capobianco (@jecapobianco) April 7, 2022