Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction

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(as of Feb 28, 2025 22:12:18 UTC – Details)

Nothing “goes viral”. If you think a popular movie, song, or app came out of nowhere to become a word-of-mouth success in today’s crowded media environment, you’re missing the real story. Each blockbuster has a secret history – of power, influence, dark broadcasters, and passionate cults that turn some new products into cultural phenomena. Even the most brilliant ideas wither in obscurity if they fail to connect with the right network, and the consumers that matter most aren’t the early adopters but rather their friends, followers, and imitators – the audience of your audience.

In his groundbreaking investigation, Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson uncovers the hidden psychology of why we like what we like and reveals the economics of cultural markets that invisibly shape our lives. Shattering the sentimental myths of hit making that dominate pop culture and business, Thompson shows quality is insufficient for success, nobody has “good taste”, and some of the most popular products in history were one bad break away from utter failure. It may be a new world, but there are some enduring truths to what audiences and consumers want. People love a familiar surprise: a product that is bold yet sneakily recognizable.

All businesses, artists, and people looking to promote themselves and their work want to know what makes some works so successful while others disappear. Hit Makers is a magical mystery tour through the last century of pop culture blockbusters and the most valuable currency of the 21st century – people’s attention.

From the dawn of impressionist art to the future of Facebook, from Etsy designers to the origin of Star Wars, Derek Thompson leaves no pet rock unturned to tell the fascinating story of how culture happens and why things become popular.

In Hit Makers, Derek Thompson investigates:

The secret link between ESPN’s sticky programming and the The Weeknd’s catchy choruses Why Facebook is the world’s most important modern newspaper How advertising critics predicted Donald Trump The fifth grader who accidentally launched “Rock Around the Clock”, the biggest hit in rock and roll history How Barack Obama and his speechwriters think of themselves as songwriters How Disney conquered the world – but the future of hits belongs to savvy amateurs and individuals The French collector who accidentally created the Impressionist canon Quantitative evidence that the biggest music hits aren’t always the best Why almost all Hollywood blockbusters are sequels, reboots, and adaptations Why one year – 1991 – is responsible for the way pop music sounds today Why another year – 1932 – created the business model of film