There are many instances when we have to be able to make decisions in an instance. Malcolm Gladwell’s nonfiction publication, Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking, highlights the psychology behind these split-second reactions. Throughout the book, Gladwell explains how these split-second decisions could actually be more effective than the ones that are carefully planned out. The theory of “thin-slicing”states that knowing less information about a topic can allow you to make a better decision. Gladwell uses many real life examples to show how we can interpret each other.
Gladwell’s nonfiction piece was very interesting to me, so I enjoyed it a great deal. Gladwell gives an example of “thin-slicing” when he gave an anecdote about John
I also had no idea how much prior knowledge had an effect on our decision-making. Gladwell gives an example of the former U.S. president, William Harding, who just looked like a good president. However, “...most historians agree, [he was] one of the worst presidents in American history”(Gladwell 75). People were blinded by his attractiveness to actually consider if he was a proper candidate to run for president. That makes me wonder whether I have ever been blinded by something when making a decision. Another instance like this was during the Pepsi challenge. Representatives at Pepsi would have a cup of Pepsi and a cup of Cola and they asked people to choose their favorite beverage. Of course, people chose the sweeter drink which was Pepsi. However, Pepsi expert, Carol Dollard, said that, “...when they have to drink a whole bottle or can, that sweetness can get really overpowering or cloying” (Gladwell 159). People are blinded by the initial taste of the Pepsi that they don’t realize that after having a lot of Pepsi, it wouldn't taste the same.
Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking has allowed me to get a new understanding about the human mind and the psychology behind the decisions we make. I became more educated about the mind and how the information you receive can affect your decision making and ultimately
Gladwell narrates along biographical sections in the chapter and leads you through the lives of his “successful” subjects. He explains a cause of success and the effect it has on the outliers and their lives. He effectively asks rhetorical questions to spark readers’ interest in a phenomenon and then he explains the phenomenon using r...
Gladwell believes we should always trust our snap judgements and he gives many good reasons why we should, but at the end of the day I believe we should not always trust our snap judgements. Sometimes it may come to it and they may be right, but if we can avoid it I think we should. We have all experienced it unconsciously and never really thought about how this happens of why it happens and whether we should trust it. Sometimes we do trust it and other times we feel like we should not and that is why Gladwell is trying to persuade us that the best thing to do is always
Malcom Gladwell, is an author of numerous New York Times Best Sellers, who uses several techniques in his writing to clarify and support his argument. Gladwell’s techniques are using stories to appeal to the reader’s emotions. Using scientific facts and research to logically strengthen his argument. Also, writing about controversial issues to establish credibility with the readers. These techniques are found in “Offensive Play”, “Small Change”, and “Harlan, Kentucky”, works by Gladwell.
People often underestimate how accurate their subconscious thoughts really are. How can one “think”, without actually thinking? An assistant psychologist at Princeton University, Alex Todorov, answers this question. Todrov agrees that as time passes and one becomes more acquainted with people, one would begin to make a more informed opinion about another that is most likely different than what their fist initial impression would have been, ho...
Gladwell refers ‘thin slicing’ as the ability to make a fast conclusion using very little information. This is an activity that almost everybody does on a daily basis when faced with different issues. In his book, Gladwell focuses on how mental process work rapidly for one to make the best and accurate judgements. He provides several examples where quick and accurate decisions are made and they are; gambling, advertising, wars and sales. Thin slicing proves that sudden decisions are right compared to those that are planned and calculated. However, thin slicing can limit individuals’ understanding of the surrounding because of inadequate data.
Gladwell begins his examination of an outlier’s success by clarifying that his purpose of the text is to convince his readers that the successful did not become successful on their own. Intertwined with his purpose,
Gladwell’s style of writing begins with explaining or presenting an example of someone with success in a field. He then quickly refutes the reader’...
Malcom Gladwell’s “The Power of Context” relies
“People don't rise from nothing....It is only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn't”(Gladwell 18).
Both Nicholas Carr and Malcolm Gladwell debated how the Internet has affected humankind in both positive and negative ways. Malcolm Gladwell is a staff writer for the New Yorker and the author of Small Change:Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted. Nicholas Carr is a writer who has formerly written for the New York Times, The Guardian etc, he also wrote Is Google Making Us Stupid? Gladwell’s and Carr’s essays identifies how the internet has a damaging effect on people.
Once in a while, it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to. Gladwell believes that cultural legacies are powerful forces. Cultural legacies are the customs of a family or a group of people, that is inherited through the generations. According to Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, Cultural legacies is something that’s been passed down for generations to generations. It depends on what type of legacies was passed that will affect a person. If a good legacy was passed down, someone can keep that legacy going by trying hard at keeping the legacies going. If a bad legacy was passed down; I believe that cultural legacies can be altered or changed, by good working habits, determination, and a positive mindset to succeed. Culture can affect either positively or negatively, but we have the power to turn our cultural
...cies for which Gladwell argue are strongly represented and undeniably convincing. Even without an acknowledgement of the rebuttals to his arguments, the author presents compelling claims that are successfully strengthened through the inclusion of specialist information, an appealing conversational tone and style of writing, and the initial attractions that begin each chapter. Just as Gladwell’s recipe for success does not adhere to conventional conceptions, Outliers does not remain within the typical expectations of academic writing. Not acknowledging a rebuttal, for instance, is ordinarily considered a lack of credibility; however, as Gladwell points out in Outliers, “This is a book about outliers … who do things that are out of the ordinary” (17).
Magill, Frank N. Ed. “Nineteen Eighty-Four” Masterpieces of World Literature. New York NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1989. 582-585. Orwell, George.
In the book Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, he answers the question: what makes high-achievers different? Gladwell is a world renown author for the New Yorker and he believes there is an answer to why people become famous and successful. The extremely successful people that Gladwell talks about in his book are called outliers, people who stand out from others as being extraordinary for what they have accomplished in society. This book was written very well, yet as a personal fan of malcolm gladwell’s books, which makes me partial to his style of writing. I thought it was very educational and intriguing to read because of the real life examples Gladwell brings to the table and
If life were merely a contest with fate, then should we not think before we act? Though some may argue that the proper time to reflect is before acting, I have learned from experience that, more times than not, this is not the best approach. The ability to act on instinct is crucial to success, in many situations. During an earthquake, for instance, one must quickly respond in whichever way necessary to protect themselves, as well as their loved ones. No matter how prepared, or trained, one may be, there is no way to predict what the essential motions should be taken at the time of an emergency.