Summary
Overview
This episode from This American Life explores the kindness of strangers through stories set in New York City. From a mysterious subway messenger deciding who stays and who goes, to a locksmith's misadventure helping a stranded driver, to a teenager finding refuge in Harlem, the episode examines how random acts of kindness—and unkindness—between strangers can lead to unexpected outcomes. The stories range from touching to absurd, showing both the beauty and complexity of human interactions in America's supposedly unkindest city.
The Subway Oracle: A Stranger's Judgment
Brett encounters a man on a crowded subway platform who systematically moves from person to person, declaring whether they can stay or must go. Despite knowing the exercise is meaningless, Brett finds himself desperate for approval from this complete stranger. When he receives the thumbs up, he feels unexpected euphoria and even looks down on those rejected, revealing how much weight we unconsciously give to the judgments of strangers who know nothing about us.
- A man on the subway platform tells each person whether they can stay or must go, with no one arguing or leaving
- The 50-ish businesswoman is dismissed while the homie in Bulls jersey makes the cut, showing arbitrary nature of judgments
- Brett feels nervous about making the cut despite knowing it's meaningless
- When told he can stay, Brett experiences euphoria and looks with disdain on those rejected
" I found that you can't help but kind of hope that he gives you the thumbs up when your turn comes. "
" He's not choosing you for anything... And yet you want to be chosen. "
Tarzan Finds a Mate: The Locksmith's Good Deed Gone Wrong
Joel, a locksmith, sees a stranded woman who's locked her keys in her Porsche and decides to play hero. As he works to open her car, they flirt and connect while a mysterious Tarzan call echoes from a nearby parking structure. But after 15 frustrating minutes trying to unlock the door, the woman accidentally breaks the window with a screwdriver, jumps in her car, and speeds away, leaving Joel standing amid his scattered tools and broken glass, yelling at Tarzan to shut up.
- Joel finds a distressed woman locked out of her red Porsche and offers to help as a locksmith
- They hear a perfect Tarzan call from someone in a nearby parking structure throughout the encounter
- Despite being a professional locksmith, Joel struggles for 15 minutes to open the door
- The woman accidentally shatters the window while trying to help, then immediately drives away
- Frustrated, Joel yells at Tarzan to shut up after the woman leaves
" I love these moments when I get to play the hero. "
" It's a hot night she takes a tissue from her bag and says here you're sweating buckets "
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