Why being nice matters in a complex world

Coan says showing kindness, whether big or small, is a double whammy for your health and the health of those around you. This includes “weak ties,” the casual micro-relationships that people form. “People often ridicule small talk as superficial,” he said. “Well, that’s not the case. Gossip and weak ties are really important. It’s the connections we have with people in our community, like the person who runs the coffee shop we visit. Small acts of kindness become more likely when we interact with people, and engagement often means chatting.”