Neuroscientist Bala Subramaniam on the Brain Benefits of Concerts and Collective Effervescence

In an opinion article for the Guardian, Dr. Bala Subramaniam, a professor at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes the significant neurological and social advantages of pop concerts, referencing the idea of 'collective effervescence' introduced by sociologist Émile Durkheim. He reflects on attending a Nick Jonas concert with his children three years prior, where he felt a transition into a shared experience. Subramaniam connects this phenomenon to the default mode network (DMN), highlighting how synchronized dancing fosters social bonds, unlike sports or religious gatherings that typically attract more homogeneous groups. He cautions that the 'loneliness epidemic,' worsened by digital distractions, is a public health concern, as stated by former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. He believes concerts should be viewed as public health resources and has purchased tickets for the upcoming Nick Jonas concert.