Outliers

16. Read 30 books I haven’t read before (in addition to the above) and blog about them. (#2)

Outliers
by Malcolm Gladwell

I would read anything Malcolm Gladwell writes.  That said, I haven't read The Tipping Point yet (but I will eventually).  Blink, however, is one of my all-time favorite books.  I didn't enjoy Outliers as much as I enjoyed Blink, but it was still remarkably fascinating.

The thesis is basically that success is a result of lucky timing, opportunity, and hard work.  Intelligence isn't as important as these three factors.  It makes so much sense and is something I already believed, although without any of the research and without the strong influx of information about timing (specifically, when you were born - both year and time of year, depending on the field).  Sometimes even your heritage plays a factor.  The book does not clearly come down on either side - success is luck/opportunity/timing OR hard work - but instead demands that it is all of the above.

So what does this mean for us regular folks?  As I read it, I could only think, "What can I do to make sure my children are a success?"  (Well, my imaginary future children.)  It seems that I should foster their interests, make sure they have ample educational opportunities, don't let them while away their summer vacations, and make sure they develop a good work ethic (i.e. they work hard).  Good - all stuff I'm a fan of anyway.

I can't wait to see what Gladwell's next topic is.

Comments

[16. Read 30 books I haven’t re]

[...] officially finished my Malcolm Gladwell trilogy.  It started with Blink a few years back.  Then, earlier this year, I read Outliers and now I have gone back and read his first book, The Tipping Point. Blink is [...]