Mental Health

We’re living in fascinating times that offer unique opportunities to understand collective psychology and social behavior. Exploring historical examples of mass reactions provides valuable context for understanding contemporary social phenomena. Some gems from the Wikipedia article listing mass hysteria events: The dancing plague of 1518 was a case of dancing mania that occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) in July 1518. Numerous people took to dancing for days.

Almost daily, strangers approach with a familiar question: “Can I pet your dog?” Upon seeing my Shiba Inu, people experience an immediate desire for connection—that spontaneous spark of joy that comes from interacting with an animal companion. While most politely request permission, others instinctively reach out, drawn by the promise of a brief but meaningful exchange.