Mike Michalowicz explains how standing ovations are faked: organizers hire actors called "salts" to start clapping, and the crowd follows like a wave. It's social contagion, and he shows how to spot it.
Oh, I guess I should be standing, too. It's the hidden progress. Should I stand up? They stand up. More people stand up and all of a sudden everyone's standing up and breaks out like a wave. Chances are you didn't start it, but you joined the wave. Now, do you know those people that gave the standing ovation are called salts? They're actually hired actors. You're talking about the bottom of the acting pit. We're going to put you in the audience to get the same ovation. Here's my advice.
