Adam Ruins Everything Season 2 Episode 4 Adam Ruins Malls

In the fourth episode of the second season of Adam Ruins Everything, titled "Adam Ruins Malls," host Adam Conover takes on the shopping mall, one of America's favorite pastimes. In this episode, Adam explains how the history of the American mall has been fraught with deception and manipulation by the real estate industry, leading to the decline in their popularity and the industry's struggle to adapt.

Adam begins the episode by discussing the origins of the American mall, tracing back to the first indoor shopping center, Southdale Mall, which opened in Minnesota in 1956. He notes that when the mall was first created, its design was meant to evoke a sense of community and give suburban families a place to gather. However, as time went on, real estate developers saw the opportunity to turn the mall into a profit center.

Adam explains how malls have been sold to developers and investors as a way to revitalize dying downtowns and create a sense of community. However, in reality, malls often leave cities with little tax revenue and harm small businesses in the process. He also notes that the construction of malls often comes at the expense of natural habitats, leading to environmental degradation and acute ecological damage.

Adam goes on to explore a few of the tactics that real estate developers use to make malls profitable. One of these is the creation of a "mall bubble," where a developer artificially inflates the price of a mall by manipulating the supply and demand of retail space. Another strategy is the "covenant," which is a contract that a developer can use to restrict competition in a mall by prohibiting stores that sell certain products or services.

Adam also notes how shopping at malls is often fraught with psychological manipulation, including music that is played specifically to make people shop more and lighting that creates a sense of urgency. He also points out how stores have been designed to make it difficult for shoppers to find their way out, leading to increased time in the mall and more opportunities for spending.

Throughout the episode, Adam offers tips for how consumers can sidestep some of these tactics and make more informed choices when shopping at malls. He notes that consumers can support more eco-friendly mall projects, shop at local businesses instead of malls, and be aware of the tricks that developers use to create a sense of urgency and urgency around shopping.

Overall, "Adam Ruins Malls" is an insightful and thought-provoking look into the world of shopping centers and their impact on the environment and the economy. The episode challenges viewers to think critically about the role of malls in their own lives and encourages them to make more informed purchasing decisions.