Fringe culture has always existed, from the Transcendentalists of the 19th century, to the Modernists of the 20th century, to the hippies, feminists and punks in the years that have followed.
But how do we define outsiders today? Does American remain an incubator of alternative viewpoints, or has what’s alternative become mainstream? Are the outsiders now in?
Journalist Alissa Quart is the author of a new book, “Republic of Outsiders: The Power of Amateurs, Rebels and Dreamers.” She joins the program to explore why and how Americans think outside of the box today.