Technology
The Sociology of Trust in Large-Scale Bureaucratic Institutions
Quick fact
Most people’s trust in institutions rests not on direct knowledge but on confidence in the 'system'—the rules, roles, and technical expertise that constrain behavior. For example, medical patients typically trust hospital protocols and professional licensing more than the specific doctors they meet.
Why this is interesting
When you board a plane, you rarely know the pilot—yet you trust them with your life. How is such confidence possible?