Americus Reed of the Wharton School spoke about how consumers grapple with owning products from brands with ideological differences. For example, buyers of the MyPillow, whose founder promulgated 2020 election fraud claims, may ask themselves, “How strongly do I identify or disidentify with Donald Trump and Trumpism? The more strongly I disidentify, the more likely I am to get rid of that pillow,” said Reed. “And at an extreme level of disidentification, I might burn it and have a little self-identity ceremonial cathartic event.”

Howard Kunreuther of the Wharton School said consumers often buy phone-protection plans in spite of the low risk of damage. “These are low-probability events by definition. That’s why money is being made by Apple and others,” he said. “People focus on the consequences, and they don’t think about the probability.”

John Paul MacDuffie of the Wharton School spoke about the future of the auto industry, which is shifting toward electricity-powered vehicles and shared-ownership models. “Barriers will slow down the achievement of some of these goals,” he said, “but there will be a tipping point and all forward-looking forces will be focused on this future.”

Jonah Berger of the Wharton School said that in years past Super Bowl commercials have garnered twice as many views on social media as during the original broadcast. “But this echo effect that many brands bank on is not going to be as large this year,” he said. “Less people will be talking at the office on Monday morning, because they’re not going to be in the office.”

Mary-Hunter McDonnell of the Wharton School spoke about leadership changes at Amazon, where Jeff Bezos has decided to step down as CEO and instead serve as the company’s executive chairman. McDonnell said Bezos will be a strategic advisor to the CEO with significant influence on the company’s direction, but ultimately won’t be held “accountable for the strategic successes or failures of the company going forward.”

Wharton School Dean Erika James spoke on a panel about wellness in the workplace and corporate responsibility.

Adam Grant of the Wharton School said productivity has increased since many people started working from home. “People have only gotten better at coordinating and collaborating and getting things done independently,” he said.