Crowd Control: The Psychology of Protests and Riots | Shrink Space E.34
Update: 2025-06-24
Description
What really separates a peaceful protest from a riot? And why do some crowds stay calm while others spiral into chaos?
In this episode, we dig into the psychology of mass gatherings, why emotions run high, and what causes some protests to turn violent. We break down the difference between a protest, a riot, and a mob, and talk through real-world examples like the No Kings riot and January 6th.
Also in this episode:
Rob shares a health update
The latest on the Trump vs. Musk bet
A shocking murder involving a Minnesota state rep
Gavin Newsom’s possible role in protest narratives
The Stanford Prison Experiment and what it teaches us about power
Whether protests actually lead to real change or just make people feel better
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