These are time sensitive. You do not receive credit if you write them after the deadline each week. Furthermore, if you are in the habit of writing everything on Saturday you will not receive full credit. Why? There would be no time for others to interact with your writing. Write early; write often! Right? Right!
First, there's a blog entry (about 250 words) which will have you respond to a hopefully thought-provoking question. Each week, you must do the blog entry with enough time left in the week to be able to enter into dialogue online with your classmates. Write, reply, write more, reply more, and then write and reply more.
Second, there's a reading. There’s no blog entry associated with this. Just read.
Third, there's a written response to the reading. Your reading and writing on the blog must be completed by the SATURDAY (by midnight) of the week in which the reading falls. This entry should be a long paragraph. YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESPOND TO OTHER STUDENTS' PART THREE EACH WEEK.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
WEEK EIGHT WRITING ABOUT WHAT YOU READ
Write down one sentence you found interesting from the book. What made you notice that one sentence in particular?
The one sentence that caught my eye was about the broken windows theory. The sentence said, "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge" (page 141). This sentence made me understand what the broken windows theory was about. I heard of the broken windows theory, but I never fully understood it. This sentence helped explain to me why events happen for a reason. For example, the crime that's going on in the world. Crime happens all the time and not enough is done to stop crime from happening. This sentence helps to explain why crime happens everyday. This sentence was interesting to me because it helped me by explaining what the broken windows theory was about and how this theory applies to what is going on in the world I'm living in.
"Epidemics are a function of the people who transmit infectious agents, the infectious agent itself, and the environment in which the infectious agent is operating."(pg. 18) I noticed this sentence because it suggests the necessity of a perfect storm to create an epidemic. In the book there is a description of documented HIV strains in the 1950's, but a less potent one than the one that we currently find. If there was one infant born that carried the virus, that was the "people who transmit infectious agents". The needle used on various newborns that would have spread the virus would be the "infectious agent". The strength of the virus at that time, or "the environment in which the infectious agent is operating", kept it from becoming an epidemic at the time. Fast forward a 30 years and a stronger, more aggressive HIV strain sweeps over various countries.
One particular sentence that I found it interesting is, “The subtle circumstances surrounding how we say things may matter more than what we say.” (Page 79) I found this sentence very accurate because most of the time, sometimes, what people say is not communicated well or heard effectively by the other side. And sometimes, how people say it can’t be taken back. For example, when a friend of mine whom I just met this school year saw my car, he asked, “is that your car?” I was a bit annoyed of how he asked me because in addition to his tone and his facial expression (he gave me this look like, is that all can you afford?), it made me really irritated. I was going to tell him that I’m sorry I can’t afford such fancy cars, that I support myself unlike you, you have your parents to pay your bills, but I was able to hold back. My friend was trying to tell me that he might not mean it that way, which he was just trying to ask me politely but I took it the other way around. I did not care what he asked me, it was HOW he asked me. So I think this sentence relate to all of us because at some point in our lives, this situation happened. This just indicates that people should really think before they speak.
The sentence that I found interesting is, “The point about Connectors is that by having a foot in so many different worlds, they have the effect of bringing them all together.” (page 51) This sentence captured my attention because it made me think of the Connectors in my life. For example, I believe my mother is one of those people. She owns her own business and has a way with people. She knows all her customers by name and occupation. She has been in business for over 25 years. I believe it is why she is able to make connections with people that have allowed her to be successful. She has allowed to be placed in so many different worlds by telling others about her life and they tell her theirs. Another example is a friend of mine by the name of Rachelle. I met Rachelle in junior high and have been friends with her for over 15 years. She knew so many people in school. Anytime we would hang out she would always run into someone she knew. She has a very large family and I think this allowed her to have a foot in so many different worlds. I find it very interesting according to Galdwell that having Connectors in our life can play a huge role in society.
The sentence that i found interesting is, "The figure of 150 seems to represent the maximum number of individuals with whom we can have a genuinely social relationship, the kind of relationship that goes with knowing who they are and how they relate to us." (page 179) I found this sentence interesting because with the evolution of technology we see more people that are able to connect with other people around the world. Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace have brought millions of people under this social media umbrella in order to stay in touch with each other. I think the number 150 is pretty accurate. You may have over 300 friends on Facebook, but out of those 300 "friends" how many can you actually have a social relationship with. Especially with this growth of technology, it is kind of decreasing the idea of having to go outside and talk to people. This current generation is so accustomed to doing everything on their phone and computers that when it comes to having a conversation with people in a face to face situation a lot of us have trouble. Even in a job or acquaintances, if you know someone, but do they know you. If you know the CEO of a company, but they do not know you there is not benefit to you. This is what the author means by the last sentence. Getting to know someone and relating somewhat with them may give you that advantage of getting that job.
I haven’t finished the book yet, but it is very interesting to me. There are so many points that are new to me, including the one on the “law of the few”. On page 33, Gladwell says that “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”. Gladwell goes on to give examples on why several people may try to popularize something and fail, but one individual may find success popularizing the same thing. It isn’t luck, or even the subject that people are trying to spread awareness of, but the person who is doing the spreading. This individual possesses a rare set of social gifts that make him or her likable and able to easily “sell” an idea to several people. Whether the person is attempting to sell a used car or a pack of gum, chances are the buyers will more likely take to this individual’s selling methods more than other sellers. This statement makes perfect sense to me! This explains why I have NEVER thought about becoming a used car sales-person, and also why I never won competitions for fundraisers or selling the most products at workplaces. Some people just aren’t made to be salesmen or “the few” agents of social epidemics. Paul Revere was one of “the few”, and that is why he was successful in telling the public of the British Invasion. Another man, William Dawes, tried to do the same thing. However, he did not find success in his quest like Revere, because he was not gifted with the character traits of “the few”.
In The Tipping Point, a sentence stood out to me early on, "Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do" (pg 7). I find it interesting how he combines all of the different things to relate to viruses. When I thought about it, it is true. When someone has an idea, product, message, and behavior it could spread from person to person till a lot of people know about it. Similar to a virus, even when one person has one, it could be very easily given to someone else who can give it to someone else, and so on. At the beginning of the book, Gladwell discusses Hush Puppies, crimes, and sexually transmitted diseases. Hush Puppies dwindled down, but after a few people started to wear them around town and was seen on the feet of high profile people, more and more people started to buy and wear them; which made them extremely popular. When Caldwell talked about crime, it was because drug-trade became a major issue. The more drugs in the area, the more people used them and committed crimes. However, once it started to slow down, crime also went down. Finally, when people have a sexually transmitted disease, it basically is a virus, and it was being transferred from person to person at a rapid rate.
Malcolm Gladwell uses the term ‘virus’ in place of trend. The term ‘virus’ generally has a negative connotation. People associate it with sickness, death, and inferiority. Why would Gladwell use a negative word association? It makes me think that Gladwell does not see the appeal of the Hush Puppy trend at all. In fact, maybe Gladwell considers trends in general to be silly and a cop—out by people to refuse to be individuals. Also, Gladwell later uses the term ‘antivirus’ to describe the drop in inner city crime rate. Why does he use ‘antivirus’ when he describes something as wonderful as a drop in the crime rate but when it comes to Hush Puppies he relates it to a virus? Hush Puppies are a very stylish, attractive shoe and fully preform the duty of proper footwear. I also started to wonder if some hipster high school students are really responsible for this huge fashion trend. Perhaps these kids were very popular or well known in town; maybe they are the Regina George of New York City.
"The power of context says that human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environment than they may seem" This sentence caught my eye because it reminds me of a case I read about in english 110 class about the effects of groups on peoples actions. A lot of research research has been done about this topic, and much of the results from the studies are surprising. People tend to be more conscious of their actions when they are in a group from fear of not acting the same as other group members and being isolated. People in groups are more pressured to fig in with their peers and therefore are more likely to abandon a thought of action if other group members are not in accordance. This explains the response the people that witnessed the young lady being attacked on page 28 and not doing anything about it. The influence that the environment has on our behavior is very surprising but not uncommon. We do it ourselves everyday with the smallest most insignificant decisions. It is a little scary for me to admit that the environment is more involved in my life than I thought because if the environment isnt in my control and therefore does that mean I am not in control of my life? Sometimes it is important to take a step back and detach ourselves from environmental influences because the environment is not always an ethical one. These kind of studies are fascinating for me because they motivate me to go out into the world and witness them myself. It provides me the opportunity to go through life with a different lense and a different view.
I found interesting the sentence "weak ties are always more important than strong tries." I would of thought of the opposite. But as I was reading the book, those acquaintances can hook you up to other people. Those people can give you advice or special deals on things. Acquaintances can share a different world that was unknown to you. Sometimes we can become picky and pick out the people we want to talk too. By avoiding others we might lose a possibility of making a new friend or learning something very interesting. When I started working for Academia Tuturing Services. I realized all the new people I had met. I thought that was really great. I have passed out my number to about 15 parents. I've had great conversations with parents. I have met so many children. Plus I got to know other tutors and other people regarding to the job. Unfortunately, after the hours are complete I don't get to see or hear from them anymore. Witch saddens me, but I have the possibility of running into them someday. I recently got a call from one of the parents saying they received their tablet (which they receive once they finish the hours) and to thank me. I was so happy to hear from them again after 2 months. You don't necessarily have to be best friends with everyone but being friendly and taking some time to get to know someone else can certainly be beneficial.
“Malcom Gladwell is a staff writer for The New Yorker” I found this to be the most interesting sentence in the book thus far. The sentence does no justice without the picture, however. The author’s picture looks like the lead singer of Rage Against the Machine in a suit. I was not expecting the author to look this way as writers for the New Yorker often make me think of a Dilbert or Ask Jeeves like character. Hence the term “you cannot judge a book by its cover”, or in this case the author’s head shot, rings true. After I overcome my senioritis I will read this book solely because of the head shot of the author.
"Why is it that some ideas or behaviors or products start epidemics and others don't?" That sentence is probably the first sentence I wanted to investigate further. Sure, it's only telling its audience what to expect in the book, but that sentence alone makes me actually want to read the book in depth. Knowing why or how certain subjects have the ability to spread is interesting to me and I'd like to know why other epidemics don't spread as much compared to those that do. The book so far is very interesting and there are a few other sentences I'd put down here, but I think the first sentence that got me thinking ahead is always the most important.
One sentence that stood out for me is “…that change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment” (pg. 9). I found this sentence interesting because I always felt that change occurred gradually with a series of events leading to something more. Much like a situation would occur, then it would lead to something more, then that would lead to another occurrence. However, after reading this, I now wonder if it is one instance that changes everything else. An event results in several other incidents following from that one particular occurrence. An event changes everything else drastically, much like the young kids wearing the out-of-style shoes, which propelled them to popularity once again.
the introduction about Hush Puppies caught my attention. Growing up I remember seeing the hush puppies logo in the shoe department, and i thought it was cute since the ads featured a cute little dog. I had no idea about the history behind that company, its nice to learn something new each day.
"We watch when we are stimulated by all the whizzes and bangs of the medium" (page 100). This sentence stood out to me because it stated the overall concept of what makes television watching so entertaining and even addictive, in a short and precise manner. We no longer live in a world similar to that of our parents and grandparents, in which it was normal to sit down and read a book after supper or to go out for an evening stroll. Today's society in many parts of the world is more accustomed to sitting down in front of television set that, in a sense, hypnotizes us with it's bright lights and drama filled lives of reality stars or movie stars. Gladwell's statement is a reminder that there has been a significant change in today's society when it comes to everyday pastimes.
The sentence that stood our to me was “Epidemics are another example of geometric progression: When a virus spreads through a population, it doubles and doubles again, until it has (figuratively) grown from a single sheet of paper all the way to the sun in fifty steps” (pg. 9). This sentence just makes so much sense and it is perfectly stated, it also helps with the understanding of Gladwell’s idea of change happening not gradually, but at one dramatic moment. It is normal to think that change happens overtime and slowly because that is what I used to think. After reading this first chapter I realize all my thoughts regarding change were wrong. Gladwell thinks outside the box and presents so many different supporting events that help me understand epidemics not at the most simplistic level. Thinking about epidemics outside of viruses is important for me because trends and attitudes toward different ideals are also epidemics and it opens my mind to different views of the world around me.
Most of us when it comes to personality think in terms of absolutes. Which are things that the person is or not such as honest or generous. This is something I would say if someone asked me to describe my best friends personality. The sentence that caught my eye was "But what Zimbardo and Hartshorne and May are suggesting is that this is a mistake, that when we think only in terms of inherent traits and forget the role of situations, we're deceiving ourselves about the real cause of human behavior" (Pg 158). This sentence made me think why I would do this. Because in the past I even had to this in a class and was an assignment. I also even asked my best friend to describe my personality and she did the same thing I did. The book mentions that maybe we do this mistakes because the way evolution structured our brains. I found this sentence interesting because it's so true. Many of us do this things and we often don't think why we do this. Are we lying to ourselves and to others, or are we taught this is the correct thing to do?
"If it were the news itself that mattered in a word-of mouth epidemic, Dawes would now be as famous as Paul Revere(page 330.) As a sociology major this statement really urged me because it is so true. You have to say things a certain way or get a certain group of people on your side to get people to become aware. It SHOULD matter what is being said, not who's saying it when it comes to things like public health and safety as well as general social awareness. Half the battles society faces is because of ignorance of the population but I don't think it's because there's no one out there trying to educate us. I think that it does have to be the right kind of person who is providing the information like Gladwell says. It shouldn't matter though. People should want to be informed.
I have not finished the book yet, but I find what I have read very interesting so far. I like how it is all about how little things can make a big difference. I am a firm believer in the fact that the little things is what can make the biggest difference and impact on someone's life. My favorite quote so far is found on page 141... "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge". It is important because if things go on never being changed, then people will not see the importance of making change occur. If you care about something enough to want change, then it shows the rest of the world just how important that thing is. I truly believe that it takes one courageous person to act on something little to make a huge change to the world. Rosa Parks on the bus is a great example of how something so little as refusing to get up from a seat on the bus, lead to huge things in the world as we know it today. I think this quote is also important because it also kind of refers to not turning a blind eye to things. If you see something is wrong, you must act upon it.
There are many interesting concepts the Gladwell discusses in this book, but the one I found most interesting is when he is discussing Horchow. The author writes, “He remembers the boys he played with sixty years ago, the address of his best friend growing up, the name of the man his college girlfriend had a crush on when she spent her junior year overseas” (page 45). In this sentence the author is talking about Horchow and his unusual social behavior and I agree with the author. Not many people can remember, in such detail, some of the insignificant details about past friends and acquaintances. When I think back to my elementary school friends, I can only remember first names and maybe one or two details about them. I also found it interesting that Horchow remembered an elementary school friend and what street he used to live on. This reminded me of a friend request I received from someone a couple years ago. He wrote me a message asking if I remembered him, but unfortunately I didn’t. Then he told me we went to preschool together. I dug through some old stuff and found a class picture from preschool, and there he was. I was astonished someone remembered me from so many years ago (about 15 years). Another reason this section of the book stood out to me is because the author describes Horchow as someone who collects people, similar to collecting stamps. This reminded me of the Myspace/Facebook friend count. When the social medias became popular, people were sending friend requests to friends of friends of friends just to have a higher number on their friends list.
I liked the sentence "The name given to that one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once is the Tipping Point" on page 9. Two things about it caught my eye. The first is that fact that it contains the title of the story. The second thing about it is that it made me wonder about what other things it can be applied to. I liked that it was a definition without saying so directly. The tipping point could've remained anonymous throughout the whole book, which can be annoying at times, but rather than drag it out, it was explained to us early and easily.
The one sentence that caught my eye was about the broken windows theory. The sentence said, "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge" (page 141). This sentence made me understand what the broken windows theory was about. I heard of the broken windows theory, but I never fully understood it. This sentence helped explain to me why events happen for a reason. For example, the crime that's going on in the world. Crime happens all the time and not enough is done to stop crime from happening. This sentence helps to explain why crime happens everyday. This sentence was interesting to me because it helped me by explaining what the broken windows theory was about and how this theory applies to what is going on in the world I'm living in.
ReplyDelete"Epidemics are a function of the people who transmit infectious agents, the infectious agent itself, and the environment in which the infectious agent is operating."(pg. 18) I noticed this sentence because it suggests the necessity of a perfect storm to create an epidemic. In the book there is a description of documented HIV strains in the 1950's, but a less potent one than the one that we currently find. If there was one infant born that carried the virus, that was the "people who transmit infectious agents". The needle used on various newborns that would have spread the virus would be the "infectious agent". The strength of the virus at that time, or "the environment in which the infectious agent is operating", kept it from becoming an epidemic at the time. Fast forward a 30 years and a stronger, more aggressive HIV strain sweeps over various countries.
ReplyDeleteOne particular sentence that I found it interesting is, “The subtle circumstances surrounding how we say things may matter more than what we say.” (Page 79) I found this sentence very accurate because most of the time, sometimes, what people say is not communicated well or heard effectively by the other side. And sometimes, how people say it can’t be taken back. For example, when a friend of mine whom I just met this school year saw my car, he asked, “is that your car?” I was a bit annoyed of how he asked me because in addition to his tone and his facial expression (he gave me this look like, is that all can you afford?), it made me really irritated. I was going to tell him that I’m sorry I can’t afford such fancy cars, that I support myself unlike you, you have your parents to pay your bills, but I was able to hold back. My friend was trying to tell me that he might not mean it that way, which he was just trying to ask me politely but I took it the other way around. I did not care what he asked me, it was HOW he asked me. So I think this sentence relate to all of us because at some point in our lives, this situation happened. This just indicates that people should really think before they speak.
ReplyDeleteThe sentence that I found interesting is, “The point about Connectors is that by having a foot in so many different worlds, they have the effect of bringing them all together.” (page 51) This sentence captured my attention because it made me think of the Connectors in my life. For example, I believe my mother is one of those people. She owns her own business and has a way with people. She knows all her customers by name and occupation. She has been in business for over 25 years. I believe it is why she is able to make connections with people that have allowed her to be successful. She has allowed to be placed in so many different worlds by telling others about her life and they tell her theirs. Another example is a friend of mine by the name of Rachelle. I met Rachelle in junior high and have been friends with her for over 15 years. She knew so many people in school. Anytime we would hang out she would always run into someone she knew. She has a very large family and I think this allowed her to have a foot in so many different worlds. I find it very interesting according to Galdwell that having Connectors in our life can play a huge role in society.
ReplyDeleteThe sentence that i found interesting is, "The figure of 150 seems to represent the maximum number of individuals with whom we can have a genuinely social relationship, the kind of relationship that goes with knowing who they are and how they relate to us." (page 179) I found this sentence interesting because with the evolution of technology we see more people that are able to connect with other people around the world. Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace have brought millions of people under this social media umbrella in order to stay in touch with each other. I think the number 150 is pretty accurate. You may have over 300 friends on Facebook, but out of those 300 "friends" how many can you actually have a social relationship with. Especially with this growth of technology, it is kind of decreasing the idea of having to go outside and talk to people. This current generation is so accustomed to doing everything on their phone and computers that when it comes to having a conversation with people in a face to face situation a lot of us have trouble. Even in a job or acquaintances, if you know someone, but do they know you. If you know the CEO of a company, but they do not know you there is not benefit to you. This is what the author means by the last sentence. Getting to know someone and relating somewhat with them may give you that advantage of getting that job.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t finished the book yet, but it is very interesting to me. There are so many points that are new to me, including the one on the “law of the few”. On page 33, Gladwell says that “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”. Gladwell goes on to give examples on why several people may try to popularize something and fail, but one individual may find success popularizing the same thing. It isn’t luck, or even the subject that people are trying to spread awareness of, but the person who is doing the spreading. This individual possesses a rare set of social gifts that make him or her likable and able to easily “sell” an idea to several people. Whether the person is attempting to sell a used car or a pack of gum, chances are the buyers will more likely take to this individual’s selling methods more than other sellers. This statement makes perfect sense to me! This explains why I have NEVER thought about becoming a used car sales-person, and also why I never won competitions for fundraisers or selling the most products at workplaces. Some people just aren’t made to be salesmen or “the few” agents of social epidemics. Paul Revere was one of “the few”, and that is why he was successful in telling the public of the British Invasion. Another man, William Dawes, tried to do the same thing. However, he did not find success in his quest like Revere, because he was not gifted with the character traits of “the few”.
ReplyDeleteIn The Tipping Point, a sentence stood out to me early on, "Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do" (pg 7). I find it interesting how he combines all of the different things to relate to viruses. When I thought about it, it is true. When someone has an idea, product, message, and behavior it could spread from person to person till a lot of people know about it. Similar to a virus, even when one person has one, it could be very easily given to someone else who can give it to someone else, and so on. At the beginning of the book, Gladwell discusses Hush Puppies, crimes, and sexually transmitted diseases. Hush Puppies dwindled down, but after a few people started to wear them around town and was seen on the feet of high profile people, more and more people started to buy and wear them; which made them extremely popular. When Caldwell talked about crime, it was because drug-trade became a major issue. The more drugs in the area, the more people used them and committed crimes. However, once it started to slow down, crime also went down. Finally, when people have a sexually transmitted disease, it basically is a virus, and it was being transferred from person to person at a rapid rate.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Gladwell uses the term ‘virus’ in place of trend. The term ‘virus’ generally has a negative connotation. People associate it with sickness, death, and inferiority. Why would Gladwell use a negative word association? It makes me think that Gladwell does not see the appeal of the Hush Puppy trend at all. In fact, maybe Gladwell considers trends in general to be silly and a cop—out by people to refuse to be individuals. Also, Gladwell later uses the term ‘antivirus’ to describe the drop in inner city crime rate. Why does he use ‘antivirus’ when he describes something as wonderful as a drop in the crime rate but when it comes to Hush Puppies he relates it to a virus? Hush Puppies are a very stylish, attractive shoe and fully preform the duty of proper footwear. I also started to wonder if some hipster high school students are really responsible for this huge fashion trend. Perhaps these kids were very popular or well known in town; maybe they are the Regina George of New York City.
ReplyDelete"The power of context says that human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environment than they may seem"
ReplyDeleteThis sentence caught my eye because it reminds me of a case I read about in english 110 class about the effects of groups on peoples actions. A lot of research research has been done about this topic, and much of the results from the studies are surprising. People tend to be more conscious of their actions when they are in a group from fear of not acting the same as other group members and being isolated. People in groups are more pressured to fig in with their peers and therefore are more likely to abandon a thought of action if other group members are not in accordance. This explains the response the people that witnessed the young lady being attacked on page 28 and not doing anything about it. The influence that the environment has on our behavior is very surprising but not uncommon. We do it ourselves everyday with the smallest most insignificant decisions. It is a little scary for me to admit that the environment is more involved in my life than I thought because if the environment isnt in my control and therefore does that mean I am not in control of my life? Sometimes it is important to take a step back and detach ourselves from environmental influences because the environment is not always an ethical one. These kind of studies are fascinating for me because they motivate me to go out into the world and witness them myself. It provides me the opportunity to go through life with a different lense and a different view.
I found interesting the sentence "weak ties are always more important than strong tries." I would of thought of the opposite. But as I was reading the book, those acquaintances can hook you up to other people. Those people can give you advice or special deals on things. Acquaintances can share a different world that was unknown to you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we can become picky and pick out the people we want to talk too. By avoiding others we might lose a possibility of making a new friend or learning something very interesting.
When I started working for Academia Tuturing Services. I realized all the new people I had met. I thought that was really great. I have passed out my number to about 15 parents. I've had great conversations with parents. I have met so many children. Plus I got to know other tutors and other people regarding to the job. Unfortunately, after the hours are complete I don't get to see or hear from them anymore. Witch saddens me, but I have the possibility of running into them someday. I recently got a call from one of the parents saying they received their tablet (which they receive once they finish the hours) and to thank me. I was so happy to hear from them again after 2 months.
You don't necessarily have to be best friends with everyone but being friendly and taking some time to get to know someone else can certainly be beneficial.
“Malcom Gladwell is a staff writer for The New Yorker”
ReplyDeleteI found this to be the most interesting sentence in the book thus far. The sentence does no justice without the picture, however. The author’s picture looks like the lead singer of Rage Against the Machine in a suit. I was not expecting the author to look this way as writers for the New Yorker often make me think of a Dilbert or Ask Jeeves like character. Hence the term “you cannot judge a book by its cover”, or in this case the author’s head shot, rings true. After I overcome my senioritis I will read this book solely because of the head shot of the author.
"Why is it that some ideas or behaviors or products start epidemics and others don't?" That sentence is probably the first sentence I wanted to investigate further. Sure, it's only telling its audience what to expect in the book, but that sentence alone makes me actually want to read the book in depth. Knowing why or how certain subjects have the ability to spread is interesting to me and I'd like to know why other epidemics don't spread as much compared to those that do. The book so far is very interesting and there are a few other sentences I'd put down here, but I think the first sentence that got me thinking ahead is always the most important.
ReplyDeleteOne sentence that stood out for me is “…that change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment” (pg. 9). I found this sentence interesting because I always felt that change occurred gradually with a series of events leading to something more. Much like a situation would occur, then it would lead to something more, then that would lead to another occurrence. However, after reading this, I now wonder if it is one instance that changes everything else. An event results in several other incidents following from that one particular occurrence. An event changes everything else drastically, much like the young kids wearing the out-of-style shoes, which propelled them to popularity once again.
ReplyDeletethe introduction about Hush Puppies caught my attention. Growing up I remember seeing the hush puppies logo in the shoe department, and i thought it was cute since the ads featured a cute little dog. I had no idea about the history behind that company, its nice to learn something new each day.
ReplyDelete"We watch when we are stimulated by all the whizzes and bangs of the medium" (page 100). This sentence stood out to me because it stated the overall concept of what makes television watching so entertaining and even addictive, in a short and precise manner. We no longer live in a world similar to that of our parents and grandparents, in which it was normal to sit down and read a book after supper or to go out for an evening stroll. Today's society in many parts of the world is more accustomed to sitting down in front of television set that, in a sense, hypnotizes us with it's bright lights and drama filled lives of reality stars or movie stars. Gladwell's statement is a reminder that there has been a significant change in today's society when it comes to everyday pastimes.
ReplyDeleteThe sentence that stood our to me was “Epidemics are another example of geometric progression: When a virus spreads through a population, it doubles and doubles again, until it has (figuratively) grown from a single sheet of paper all the way to the sun in fifty steps” (pg. 9). This sentence just makes so much sense and it is perfectly stated, it also helps with the understanding of Gladwell’s idea of change happening not gradually, but at one dramatic moment. It is normal to think that change happens overtime and slowly because that is what I used to think. After reading this first chapter I realize all my thoughts regarding change were wrong. Gladwell thinks outside the box and presents so many different supporting events that help me understand epidemics not at the most simplistic level. Thinking about epidemics outside of viruses is important for me because trends and attitudes toward different ideals are also epidemics and it opens my mind to different views of the world around me.
ReplyDeleteMost of us when it comes to personality think in terms of absolutes. Which are things that the person is or not such as honest or generous. This is something I would say if someone asked me to describe my best friends personality. The sentence that caught my eye was "But what Zimbardo and Hartshorne and May are suggesting is that this is a mistake, that when we think only in terms of inherent traits and forget the role of situations, we're deceiving ourselves about the real cause of human behavior" (Pg 158). This sentence made me think why I would do this. Because in the past I even had to this in a class and was an assignment. I also even asked my best friend to describe my personality and she did the same thing I did. The book mentions that maybe we do this mistakes because the way evolution structured our brains. I found this sentence interesting because it's so true. Many of us do this things and we often don't think why we do this. Are we lying to ourselves and to others, or are we taught this is the correct thing to do?
ReplyDelete"If it were the news itself that mattered in a word-of mouth epidemic, Dawes would now be as famous as Paul Revere(page 330.) As a sociology major this statement really urged me because it is so true. You have to say things a certain way or get a certain group of people on your side to get people to become aware. It SHOULD matter what is being said, not who's saying it when it comes to things like public health and safety as well as general social awareness. Half the battles society faces is because of ignorance of the population but I don't think it's because there's no one out there trying to educate us. I think that it does have to be the right kind of person who is providing the information like Gladwell says. It shouldn't matter though. People should want to be informed.
ReplyDeleteI have not finished the book yet, but I find what I have read very interesting so far. I like how it is all about how little things can make a big difference. I am a firm believer in the fact that the little things is what can make the biggest difference and impact on someone's life. My favorite quote so far is found on page 141... "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge". It is important because if things go on never being changed, then people will not see the importance of making change occur. If you care about something enough to want change, then it shows the rest of the world just how important that thing is. I truly believe that it takes one courageous person to act on something little to make a huge change to the world. Rosa Parks on the bus is a great example of how something so little as refusing to get up from a seat on the bus, lead to huge things in the world as we know it today. I think this quote is also important because it also kind of refers to not turning a blind eye to things. If you see something is wrong, you must act upon it.
ReplyDeleteThere are many interesting concepts the Gladwell discusses in this book, but the one I found most interesting is when he is discussing Horchow. The author writes, “He remembers the boys he played with sixty years ago, the address of his best friend growing up, the name of the man his college girlfriend had a crush on when she spent her junior year overseas” (page 45). In this sentence the author is talking about Horchow and his unusual social behavior and I agree with the author. Not many people can remember, in such detail, some of the insignificant details about past friends and acquaintances. When I think back to my elementary school friends, I can only remember first names and maybe one or two details about them. I also found it interesting that Horchow remembered an elementary school friend and what street he used to live on. This reminded me of a friend request I received from someone a couple years ago. He wrote me a message asking if I remembered him, but unfortunately I didn’t. Then he told me we went to preschool together. I dug through some old stuff and found a class picture from preschool, and there he was. I was astonished someone remembered me from so many years ago (about 15 years). Another reason this section of the book stood out to me is because the author describes Horchow as someone who collects people, similar to collecting stamps. This reminded me of the Myspace/Facebook friend count. When the social medias became popular, people were sending friend requests to friends of friends of friends just to have a higher number on their friends list.
ReplyDeleteI liked the sentence "The name given to that one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once is the Tipping Point" on page 9. Two things about it caught my eye. The first is that fact that it contains the title of the story. The second thing about it is that it made me wonder about what other things it can be applied to. I liked that it was a definition without saying so directly. The tipping point could've remained anonymous throughout the whole book, which can be annoying at times, but rather than drag it out, it was explained to us early and easily.
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