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SANTA BARBARA, CA – April 6, 2025 – Ever dreaded small talk with a barista or forced office chit-chat? You might want to rethink that urge to avoid interaction. According to new research, embracing the full spectrum of our daily conversations—even the seemingly trivial or unwanted ones—is vital for shaping our identities and fostering connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
Researchers Andy Merolla from UC Santa Barbara and Jeffrey A. Hall from the University of Kansas are exploring this concept through the lens of the “social biome.”
“A social biome is our ecosystem of day-to-day communication,” explains Merolla, a professor of communication. “It’s the totality of our moments of communication—in-person and digital—with loved ones, acquaintances, co-workers, neighbors, customers and complete strangers.” This includes interactions we choose, those forced upon us, and those we simply drift into.
In their forthcoming book, “The Social Biome: How Everyday Communication Connects and Shapes Us” (Yale University Press, 2025), recently featured in a New York Times interactive piece, Merolla and Hall argue that these collective interactions are fundamental building blocks of who we are.
While acknowledging that communication can often be awkward, difficult, and sometimes negative, especially amidst current social polarization, the authors suggest the first step is acceptance. “Normalizing the challenges of interpersonal communication can go a long way,” Merolla states. “Struggle, conflict and disappointment are not antithetical to care, love and support. They’re all parts of being interdependent with others.”
He warns against the tendency to sidestep the “messiness and awkwardness” of daily interaction. “Turning away from others can crystallize into personal routines of disconnection,” Merolla notes. “Once that kind of social inertia sets in, it can become difficult for us to endure the social stress necessary to be trusted and accountable relational partners—the bedrock of healthy relationships.”
So, how does one cultivate a healthy social biome? The researchers emphasize there’s no single formula. Individual needs and capacities vary greatly; some people are overwhelmed by daily communication demands, while others crave more interaction. Factors like social stigma or safety concerns can also influence comfort levels.
However, Merolla and Hall stress the underestimated value of small moments – a quick text, brief office banter, or acknowledging a stranger. Responsiveness is key. “Our individual social biomes can be healthier if we can be more responsive to those around us, particularly those who are isolated or too often treated with indignity,” Merolla advises.
While these small interactions won’t solve major societal issues or always go smoothly, the researchers see realistic hope. “Even small changes to our communication habits can, over time and across people, scale up and reverberate across our social ecosystems,” Merolla concludes. “Bit by bit, though, they can catalyze connection and build our confidence to be our best, if imperfect, selves in the higher-stakes interactions that await.”
Professor Merolla is scheduled to discuss the book further as a panelist at the 2025 Los Angeles Festival of Books.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided by the University of California – Santa Barbara regarding research by Andy Merolla and Jeffrey A. Hall.
