Malcolm Gladwell in the first chapter of Outliers, "The Matthew Effect", explains that, in this world, each and every single indivdiuals work more efficently than most because they do not spend their time dwelling on such losses, and despite such existing disadvantages, they, instead, face the world as it is. Gladwell supports his claims by explaining what Robert Winthrop spoken, whom was he looking up at Benjamin Franklin's statue, of, "and look at the image of a man who rose from nothing, who owed nothing to parentage or patronage, (...) (19)" , stating certain kinds of lineage you or another person came from, there will always be an advantage to such benefit towards a path that lay out certain choices. In most cases, however, people had
I found Gladwell’s first chapter of Outliers entitled “The Matthew Effect” to be both interesting, confusing, and perhaps somewhat lopsided. Based on Matthew 25:2, Gladwell simply explains, “It is those who are successful, in other words, who are most likely to be given to the kinds of special opportunities that lead to further success.” (Gladwell 2008, pg. 30) The Matthew Effect seems to extend special advantages and opportunities to some simply based on their date of birth.
In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell argues that there is no such thing as a self-made man, and that success is only the result of a person’s circumstances. However, throughout the novel Gladwell points out that your circumstances and opportunities only help you become successful if you are willing to take advantage of them and work hard. From a twelve year old living in the Bronx, to those who were born at just the right time to become millionaires, one thing is the same throughout; these people because successful because they seized the opportunities they were given. The advantages and opportunities that came from their circumstances would not be important if they had not grasped them. Every successful man is self made, because he has seized the
In “Outliers” Malcolm Gladwell organizes his argument for their being a rule for overall success by showing statistics of people who are defined as being successful such as Bill Gates, Billy Joy, and The Beatles. He also uses a Berlin music academy to help prove his rule. He presents an argument that Bill Gates and The Beatles and the violinist attending the music academy may have been born with innate talent but that is not the sole ...
Gladwell gives differing definitions of intelligence. Yet his definition of success is singular—"worldly" success in terms of wealth, power, and fame. Are there also differing definitions of success that Gladwell doesn't consider? If so, what are they, and what does it take to achieve those versions of success? What is your definition of success, and how does it compare to Gladwell’s? Has your definition of success changed at all?
In the book Outliers, written and published by Malcolm Gladwell in association with Little, Brown and Company in 2008. There is a section in the book called the "10,000-Hour Rule'' that explains it takes roughly ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. Does this sort of idea work to acheive greatness in any profession? How does the writer go about figuring out this rule?
Langan was able to get a full scholarship to Reed University. He had a hard time adjusting to his new life since he grew up very poor , he had a hard time talking to others and a hard time speaking in class. He later then lost his scholarship due to his mother not filling out his paperwork. He then turned to Montana State University and in other tragic events Langan wasn’t able to get to his classes since his had broken down and he asked to be transferred to a different class so that he could avoid having an absence. His teacher was dismissive, as was the administration, and didn’t accept his request. Gladwell then brings up the question what would have happened if Langan spoke up and tried to stand up for his application. Gladwell then compares Langan to Robert Oppenheimer “When Langan told me his life story, I couldn't help thinking of the life of Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who famously headed the American effort to develop the nuclear bomb during World War II.” Gladwell then explains that Robert Oppenheimer had successful parents and Langan did not and then ask the question if you are set up for success , being taught how to be successful , you will end up successful. The whole chapter is big question on what if Chris Langan had better parents or a better life could he have been the most influential and smartest person at that
Hardworking. Persistent. Determined. These are all adjectives the United States associates with successful people. Whenever a story is told about someone who has risen through the ranks to become a successful person--an Outlier-- that achievement is usually said to be earned through personal means and a tremendous amount of effort. Gladwell’s book takes this success stereotype and conducts an examination of the way the world views an Outlier. Outliers: the Story of Success is an unusual nonfiction book in that it is not only easy to understand, but also well written and interesting. Gladwell engages and persuades the reader using not only research, but also real-life examples and anecdotes to prove his point. Outliers demonstrates the point
“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).
What would happen if our world today was monotonous, sorrowful, and grey? What if no one was here to form new creations, and think of bold ideas? Would triumph have a definition? Would there be outliers in our world today? We are constantly thinking, always generating new ideas and forming new thoughts. People even proceed by creating inventions, and building objects no one would of thought would be made today. But, what we don’t perceive is how they became successful and how they took advantage of the moment that was given to them. In the novel, Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, the author explains that an outlier is one who is given an opportunity and knows how to take advantage. He believes that in order for a person to be successful they need at least ten thousand hours of hard work and effort in order to succeed at a skill. It is clear to me that like Malcolm Gladwell, I believe
Malcolm Gladwell’s overall purpose of Outliers: The Story of Success is that success is largely determined by an individual’s socioeconomic and sociocultural environment, and individual ambition, effort, or talent, are less significant, contrary to the societal notions associated with success. In other words, success is not something that someone randomly gained; success is earned through opportunities that develop dedication, interest, and skill over time. By doing this, will one become an outlier, or “something that is situated away or classed differently from a main or related body,” (Gladwell 3) that distinguishes great from good and best from great, as exemplified by “The striking thing about Ericsson’s study is that the and his colleagues couldn’t find any “naturals”, musicians who floated effortlessly to the top while practicing a fraction of the time their peers did.” (Gladwell 39) Gladwell also acknowledges societal norms such that “All of the fourteen men and woman on the list above had vision and talent,” (Gladwell 62-63) to assert hard work, ability, et cetera can lead to success, but a social environment that offers such opportunities immensely increases the likelihood of success.
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
In Chapter 8 and 9 of Outliers: The Story of Success, Gladwell exams some of the ways that Asian and American students learn math, arguing that some of the principles in the US education system should be reconsidered. I generally agree with Gladwell’s point of view. I believe in two ways, students ' principal spirit and the length of students’ studying, the US education system leaves much to be desired, though an overhaul is in progress.
... description an outlier on all five points. He was a man that came from nothing; his life was full of struggles that could have led him to fail. Even through uncontrollable circumstances seemed to hold him back; they also guided him down the correct path he needed to succeed. Einstein was intelligent enough, he made use of the “Matthew Effect”, the “10,000-hour” rule, “demographic luck”, and he had opportunity (Gladwell 15, 35, 129). Through a review of these effects on a persons success offered by Gladwell it is now easier to understand how a person like Einstein did in fact become such a success.
He states, “Their relatives begged them but still they refused to share it” (Basso 24). The selfishness of the natives caused them to be put in a disastrous state, unlike the people of Winthrop’s “example city,” who helped each other when they in need, and did not look at one person as better than another. The people of America today are too consumed within themselves and only care about what they can do to increase their rank or reputation. This mindset is only causing America to split and crumble, due to everyone fighting for their selfish wants. America will never be like “City Upon a Hill,” due to the selfishness of Americans alone. Unless citizens were to begin helping each other instead of looking down on one another, then America will never be anything close to Winthrop’s perfect
According to Gladwell success emerges through a matter of circumstances. In his novel Outliers, Gladwell argues that the 10,000 Hour Rule is an important asset to becoming successful because it allows for the individual to master the skill he or she is trying to succeed in. He states that in order for one to master a certain skill, they must have practiced it for a minimum of 10,000 hours. I agree with Gladwell’s theory in which one becomes successful due to the external variables, like circumstances, opportunities and other factors that contribute to success, and that to be successful you must dedicate at least 10,000 hours to master one’s craft. Outside studies agree with the importance and indispensability of the 10,000 Hour Rule.