Sociology
The Ritualization of Collective Effervescence in Secular Festivals
Quick fact
At music festivals, organizers intentionally schedule moments of synchronized light-waving and crowd chants after examining what makes a crowd unify—this is a modern example of ritualizing collective effervescence, a concept that Émile Durkheim identified over a century ago in religious ceremonies.
Why this is interesting
You've been to a concert or a big game—you feel the energy surge as the crowd roars. But have you ever wondered why this happens so predictably, and why it leaves you feeling so connected?