Gladwell describes three "rules of epidemics" or agents of change: the Law of the Few, which states that a small percentage of people do most of the work; Connectors who link diverse social worlds; Mavens who share knowledge; and Salesmen who are highly persuasive. Context also strongly influences human behavior and epidemics. Outliers examines why some people achieve more success than others. Gladwell argues opportunities, such as early-life experiences and privileged backgrounds, shape exceptional people more than raw talent alone.
The document summarizes key points from Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" which examines factors that contribute to success. It discusses how hidden advantages like birthdate, culture, social class, and access to resources play a bigger role in success than innate talent alone. Exceptional achievement is often a product of opportunity and preparation meeting talent, rather than talent in isolation.
The document discusses the challenges companies face in recruiting and retaining talent in the 21st century. It outlines four "talent gaps" - the skills gap, leadership gap, and satisfaction gap. It argues that traditional responses like increased pay and benefits are a form of "bribery" and don't address the root causes. The root cause is that workers and consumers are seeking meaning, purpose and fulfillment beyond material goods. The challenge for companies is to close the "soul gap" by making their organizations places where people's spiritual needs are met.
States of Artificial Disasters: the path to CrisisStefano Diana
The document discusses the limitations of human knowledge and the flaws in the Western model of knowledge generation. It argues that most of what is called knowledge is based on limited human perceptions and is unable to account for the complexity of the natural world. It claims the Western model introduces more errors at each step, obscures details, and leads to outcomes that cannot be accurately predicted. This model prioritizes abstract concepts, mathematics, and quantifiable metrics over more qualitative ways of understanding, and has driven society toward unsustainable priorities of endless growth and consumption. The current crisis is presented as an example of the breakdown caused by distortions and complexities that have accumulated despite our limited understanding.
The document summarizes key parts of Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point". It describes three types of people that are important for spreading ideas and behaviors: Connectors are people with large social networks who link different groups; Mavens are "information specialists" who accumulate knowledge and share it with others; Salesmen are charismatic and persuasive. It also discusses the concept of "stickiness", how context and environment strongly influence human behavior, and the optimal number of people one can have real social relationships with.
Gladwell argues that success is defined not just by individual talent, but by opportunities provided by community and circumstance. Communities like the Italian town of Roseto provided cultural advantages that promoted health and longevity. Successful people accumulate at least 10,000 hours of practice through determination and access to opportunity. Bill Gates and The Beatles benefited from pivotal opportunities and circumstances that allowed them to dedicate extensive time to honing their skills. Gladwell concludes that outliers attain success through a combination of ability, preparation and opportunity rather than innate talent alone.
The book review summarizes Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point" which examines how trends and social epidemics emerge and spread. It discusses three key concepts from the book: 1) The Law of the Few, which explains how a small number of influential people can drive a trend, 2) The Stickiness Factor, referring to what makes ideas memorable and compelling, and 3) The Power of Context, describing how small changes in environment or context can cause an idea to "tip" into widespread popularity. The review analyzes how Gladwell uses case studies and examples to illustrate these concepts and their interdependence in determining if a phenomenon will widely spread.
Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point analyzes how trends emerge and become popular. Upon its release in 2000, the book itself became a bestseller and influenced various fields. Gladwell identifies three key factors that determine if a trend will "tip" into widespread popularity: the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. The Law of the Few states that certain types of influential people must endorse an idea for it to spread. The Stickiness Factor is what compels attention to an idea. And the Power of Context shows that small changes in environment can impact a trend's trajectory. Gladwell supports these concepts through case studies across industries.
The document summarizes key points from Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" which examines factors that contribute to success. It discusses how hidden advantages like birthdate, culture, social class, and access to resources play a bigger role in success than innate talent alone. Exceptional achievement is often a product of opportunity and preparation meeting talent, rather than talent in isolation.
The document discusses the challenges companies face in recruiting and retaining talent in the 21st century. It outlines four "talent gaps" - the skills gap, leadership gap, and satisfaction gap. It argues that traditional responses like increased pay and benefits are a form of "bribery" and don't address the root causes. The root cause is that workers and consumers are seeking meaning, purpose and fulfillment beyond material goods. The challenge for companies is to close the "soul gap" by making their organizations places where people's spiritual needs are met.
States of Artificial Disasters: the path to CrisisStefano Diana
The document discusses the limitations of human knowledge and the flaws in the Western model of knowledge generation. It argues that most of what is called knowledge is based on limited human perceptions and is unable to account for the complexity of the natural world. It claims the Western model introduces more errors at each step, obscures details, and leads to outcomes that cannot be accurately predicted. This model prioritizes abstract concepts, mathematics, and quantifiable metrics over more qualitative ways of understanding, and has driven society toward unsustainable priorities of endless growth and consumption. The current crisis is presented as an example of the breakdown caused by distortions and complexities that have accumulated despite our limited understanding.
The document summarizes key parts of Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point". It describes three types of people that are important for spreading ideas and behaviors: Connectors are people with large social networks who link different groups; Mavens are "information specialists" who accumulate knowledge and share it with others; Salesmen are charismatic and persuasive. It also discusses the concept of "stickiness", how context and environment strongly influence human behavior, and the optimal number of people one can have real social relationships with.
Gladwell argues that success is defined not just by individual talent, but by opportunities provided by community and circumstance. Communities like the Italian town of Roseto provided cultural advantages that promoted health and longevity. Successful people accumulate at least 10,000 hours of practice through determination and access to opportunity. Bill Gates and The Beatles benefited from pivotal opportunities and circumstances that allowed them to dedicate extensive time to honing their skills. Gladwell concludes that outliers attain success through a combination of ability, preparation and opportunity rather than innate talent alone.
The book review summarizes Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point" which examines how trends and social epidemics emerge and spread. It discusses three key concepts from the book: 1) The Law of the Few, which explains how a small number of influential people can drive a trend, 2) The Stickiness Factor, referring to what makes ideas memorable and compelling, and 3) The Power of Context, describing how small changes in environment or context can cause an idea to "tip" into widespread popularity. The review analyzes how Gladwell uses case studies and examples to illustrate these concepts and their interdependence in determining if a phenomenon will widely spread.
Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point analyzes how trends emerge and become popular. Upon its release in 2000, the book itself became a bestseller and influenced various fields. Gladwell identifies three key factors that determine if a trend will "tip" into widespread popularity: the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. The Law of the Few states that certain types of influential people must endorse an idea for it to spread. The Stickiness Factor is what compels attention to an idea. And the Power of Context shows that small changes in environment can impact a trend's trajectory. Gladwell supports these concepts through case studies across industries.
Van de Geijn Partners.
Wij richten ons op fundamentele vernieuwing van diensten, organisaties en ketens ten behoeve van de participatie van kwetsbare doelgroepen.
Daarvoor doen wij in opdracht van maatschappelijke organisaties onderzoek, ontwikkelen we nieuwe concepten, zorgen voor haalbare businesscases en brengen partijen bij elkaar om het mogelijk te maken.
Onze specifieke kennis van ketenvorming, logistiek, technologie en innovatiemanagement staat garant voor originele ideeën en krachtige implementaties.
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
हिंदी वर्णमाला पीपीटी, hindi alphabet PPT presentation, hindi varnamala PPT, Hindi Varnamala pdf, हिंदी स्वर, हिंदी व्यंजन, sikhiye hindi varnmala, dr. mulla adam ali, hindi language and literature, hindi alphabet with drawing, hindi alphabet pdf, hindi varnamala for childrens, hindi language, hindi varnamala practice for kids, https://www.drmullaadamali.com
This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodCeline George
Odoo provides an option for creating a module by using a single line command. By using this command the user can make a whole structure of a module. It is very easy for a beginner to make a module. There is no need to make each file manually. This slide will show how to create a module using the scaffold method.
Leveraging Generative AI to Drive Nonprofit InnovationTechSoup
In this webinar, participants learned how to utilize Generative AI to streamline operations and elevate member engagement. Amazon Web Service experts provided a customer specific use cases and dived into low/no-code tools that are quick and easy to deploy through Amazon Web Service (AWS.)
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
Van de Geijn Partners.
Wij richten ons op fundamentele vernieuwing van diensten, organisaties en ketens ten behoeve van de participatie van kwetsbare doelgroepen.
Daarvoor doen wij in opdracht van maatschappelijke organisaties onderzoek, ontwikkelen we nieuwe concepten, zorgen voor haalbare businesscases en brengen partijen bij elkaar om het mogelijk te maken.
Onze specifieke kennis van ketenvorming, logistiek, technologie en innovatiemanagement staat garant voor originele ideeën en krachtige implementaties.
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
हिंदी वर्णमाला पीपीटी, hindi alphabet PPT presentation, hindi varnamala PPT, Hindi Varnamala pdf, हिंदी स्वर, हिंदी व्यंजन, sikhiye hindi varnmala, dr. mulla adam ali, hindi language and literature, hindi alphabet with drawing, hindi alphabet pdf, hindi varnamala for childrens, hindi language, hindi varnamala practice for kids, https://www.drmullaadamali.com
This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodCeline George
Odoo provides an option for creating a module by using a single line command. By using this command the user can make a whole structure of a module. It is very easy for a beginner to make a module. There is no need to make each file manually. This slide will show how to create a module using the scaffold method.
Leveraging Generative AI to Drive Nonprofit InnovationTechSoup
In this webinar, participants learned how to utilize Generative AI to streamline operations and elevate member engagement. Amazon Web Service experts provided a customer specific use cases and dived into low/no-code tools that are quick and easy to deploy through Amazon Web Service (AWS.)
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
How to Create a More Engaging and Human Online Learning Experience
The three rules of epidemics
1. The three rules of epidemics
Gladwell describes the "three rules of epidemics" (or the three "agents of change") in the tipping points of
epidemics.
"The Law of the Few", or, as Gladwell states, "The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily
dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts." According to
Gladwell, economists call this the "80/20 Principle, which is the idea that in any situation roughly 80
percent of the 'work' will be done by 20 percent of the participants." (see Pareto Principle) These
people are described in the following ways:
Connectors are the people who "link us up with the world ... people with a special gift for
bringing the world together." They are "a handful of people with a truly extraordinary knack [...
for] making friends and acquaintances". He characterizes these individuals as having social
networks of over one hundred people. To illustrate, Gladwell cites the following examples: the
midnight ride of Paul Revere, Milgram's experiments in the small world problem, the "Six
Degrees of Kevin Bacon" trivia game, Dallas businessman Roger Horchow, and Chicagoan Lois
Weisberg, a person who understands the concept of the weak tie. Gladwell attributes the social
success of Connectors to "their ability to span many different worlds [... as] a function of
something intrinsic to their personality, some combination of curiosity, self-confidence,
sociability, and energy."
Mavens are "information specialists", or "people we rely upon to connect us with new
information." They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to
share it with others. Gladwell cites Mark Alpert as a prototypical Maven who is "almost
pathologically helpful", further adding, "he can't help himself". In this vein, Alpert himself
concedes, "A Maven is someone who wants to solve other people's problems, generally by
solving his own". According to Gladwell, Mavens start "word-of-mouth epidemics" due to their
knowledge, social skills, and ability to communicate. As Gladwell states, "Mavens are really
information brokers, sharing and trading what they know".
Salesmen are "persuaders", charismatic people with powerful negotiation skills. They tend to
have an indefinable trait that goes beyond what they say, which makes others want to agree with
them. Gladwell's examples include California businessman Tom Gau and news anchor Peter
Jennings, and he cites several studies about the persuasive implications of non-verbal cues,
including a headphone nod study (conducted by Gary Wells of the University of Alberta and
Richard Petty of the University of Missouri) and William Condon's cultural microrhythms study.
The Stickiness Factor, the specific content of a message that renders its impact memorable. Popular
children's television programs such as Sesame Street and Blue's Clues pioneered the properties of the
stickiness factor, thus enhancing the effective retention of the educational content in tandem with its
entertainment value.
The Power of Context: Human behavior is sensitive to and strongly influenced by its environment.
As Gladwell says, "Epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and
places in which they occur." For example, "zero tolerance" efforts to combat minor crimes such as
fare-beating and vandalism on the New York subway led to a decline in more violent crimes city-
wide. Gladwell describes the bystander effect, and explains how Dunbar's number plays into the
tipping point, using Rebecca Wells' novel Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, evangelist John
Wesley, and the high-tech firm W. L. Gore and Associates. Gladwell also discusses what he dubs the
rule of 150, which states that the optimal number of individuals in a society that someone can have
real social relationships with is 150.
1
2. Outliers
Outliers has two parts: "Part One: Opportunity" contains five chapters, and "Part Two: Legacy" has four.
The book also contains an Introduction and Epilogue. Focusing on outliers, defined by Gladwell as people
who do not fit into our normal understanding of achievement, Outliers deals with exceptional people,
especially those who are smart, rich, and successful, and those who operate at the extreme outer edge of
what is statistically possible. The book offers examples that include the musical ensemble The Beatles,
Microsoft's co-founder Bill Gates, and the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. In the introduction,
Gladwell lays out the purpose of Outliers: "It's not enough to ask what successful people are like. [...] It is
only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn't."
Throughout the publication, he discusses how family, culture, and friendship each play a role in an
individual's success, and he constantly asks whether successful people deserve the praise that we give them.
The book begins with Gladwell's research on why a disproportionate number of elite Canadian hockey
players are born in the first few months of the calendar year. The answer, he points out, is that since youth
hockey leagues determine eligibility by calendar year, children born on January 1 play in the same league as
those born on December 31 in the same year. Because children born earlier in the year are bigger and
maturer than their younger competitors, they are often identified as better athletes, leading to extra coaching
and a higher likelihood of being selected for elite hockey leagues. This phenomenon in which "the rich get
richer and the poor get poorer" is dubbed "accumulative advantage" by Gladwell, while sociologist Robert
K. Merton calls it "the Matthew Effect", named after a biblical verse in the Gospel of Matthew: "For unto
everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But from him that hath not shall be taken
away even that which he hath." Outliers asserts that success depends on the idiosyncrasies of the selection
process used to identify talent just as much as it does on the athletes' natural abilities.
In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell interviews Bill Gates and focuses on the
opportunities given to him throughout his lifetime that have led to his
success.
A common theme that appears throughout Outliers is the "10,000-Hour
Rule", based on a study by Anders Ericsson. Gladwell claims that
greatness requires enormous time, using the source of The Beatles'
musical talents and Gates' computer savvy as examples. The Beatles
performed live in Hamburg, Germany over 1,200 times from 1960 to
1964, amassing more than 10,000 hours of playing time, therefore
meeting the 10,000-Hour Rule. Gladwell asserts that all of the time The Beatles spent performing shaped
their talent, "so by the time they returned to England from Hamburg, Germany, 'they sounded like no one
else. It was the making of them.'" Gates met the 10,000-Hour Rule when he gained access to a high school
computer in 1968 at the age of 13, and spent 10,000 hours programming on it.
In Outliers, Gladwell interviews Gates, who says that unique access to a computer at a time when they were
not commonplace helped him succeed. Without that access, Gladwell states that Gates would still be "a
highly intelligent, driven, charming person and a successful professional", but that he might not be worth
US$50 billion. Gladwell explains that reaching the 10,000-Hour Rule, which he considers the key to success
in any field, is simply a matter of practicing a specific task that can be accomplished with 20 hours of work a
week for 10 years. He also notes that he himself took exactly 10 years to meet the 10,000-Hour Rule, during
his brief tenure at The American Spectator and his more recent job at The Washington Post.
2
3. Gladwell argues that Oppenheimer's affluent background helped give him the
skills necessary to become successful.
Reemphasizing his theme, Gladwell continuously reminds the reader that
genius is not the only or even the most important thing when determining a
person's success. Using an anecdote to illustrate his claim, he discusses the
story of Christopher Langan, a man who ended up working on a horse farm in
rural Missouri despite having an IQ of 195 (Einstein's was 150). Gladwell
points out that Langan has not reached a high level of success because of the
environment he grew up in. With no one in Langan's life and nothing in his
background to help him take advantage of his exceptional gifts, he had to find
success by himself. "No one—not rock stars, not professional athletes, not
software billionaires, and not even geniuses—ever makes it alone," writes
Gladwell.
Later, Gladwell compares Langan with Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic
bomb. Noting that they typify innate natural abilities that should have helped them both succeed in life,
Gladwell argues that Oppenheimer's upbringing made a pivotal difference in his life. Oppenheimer grew up
in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Manhattan, was the son of a successful businessman and painter,
attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School on Central Park West, and was afforded a childhood of
concerted cultivation. Outliers argues that these opportunities gave Oppenheimer the chance to develop the
practical intelligence necessary for success. Gladwell then provides an anecdote: When Oppenheimer was a
student at University of Cambridge, he made an unsuccessful attempt to poison one of his tutors. When he
was about to be expelled from the school, he was able to compromise with the school's administrators to
allow him to continue his studies at the university, using skills that he gained during his cultivated
upbringing.
Before the book concludes, Gladwell writes about the unique roots of his Jamaican mother, Joyce, a
descendant of African slaves. Joyce attended University College in London, where she met and fell in love
with Graham Gladwell, a young mathematician. After moving together to Canada, Graham became a math
professor and Joyce a writer and therapist. While Gladwell acknowledges his mother's ambition and
intelligence, he also points out opportunities offered to his parents that helped them live a life better than
those of other slave descendants in the West Indies. Gladwell also explains that, in the 18th century, a white
plantation owner in Jamaica bought a female slave and made her his mistress. This act inadvertently saved
the slave and her offspring from a life of brutal servitude. As one of the slave's descendants, this turn of luck
led to Gladwell's relatively successful position in life. Summarizing the publication, Gladwell notes that
success "is not exceptional or mysterious. It is grounded in a web of advantages and inheritances, some
deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky," and at the end of the book, he remarks, "Outliers
wasn't intended as autobiography. But you could read it as an extended apology for my success."
3