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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
by Malcolm Gladwell
by Malcolm Gladwell
I found this book interesting from at least three different perspectives.
First, there's the basic story of the book itself. It's interesting to think about how people work, and the idea that social networks have strong leverage is very appealing. Gladwell lays out the idea in a neat, coherent package, and writes entertainingly enough that I sat in the cafe and read it cover to cover (instead of just reading the first couple chapters as I'd originally intended).
Second, there are many questions that come to my mind from listening to this talk shortly after hearing two great lectures on the mathematical analysis of social networks. There are clear ways to identify Gladwell's "Connectors" just from looking at the structure of a social network. Are there similar structural effects that would make it possible to identify "Mavens?" It seems like the book recommendations on Goodreads would be an interesting place to study this, because there's enough information about the dynamics (who recommended a book to whom, or in what order were reviews posted) that one could reasonably attempt to identify Mavens a priori, then try to figure out if there are structural clues about who they are. That seems much more difficult to attempt in many other networks, where the structure is much more accessible than the dynamics.
Third, there is the nature of the book itself: a very popular book on a sociological topic. What makes this book so popular in itself? There are other very good books out there that discuss aspects of small-world phenomena; parts of Strogatz's Sync come to mind, for instance. I think Sync is as compelling as Tipping Point, and as well-written (better written, perhaps, in my admittedly biased view -- it shows in little ways that Strogatz is a professional mathematician and Gladwell a journalist). And yet Sync has not seen nearly the same level of popular success. I think a large part of Gladwell's success comes not just from the ideas, but from the way he packages them: the description of Connectors, Mavens, and tipping points, for example, each attached to a surprising story that the reader can relate to. Probably the fact that I'm thinking of this at all comes from reading Made to Stick so recently.
In any event, it's an entertaining book. Good fun.
First, there's the basic story of the book itself. It's interesting to think about how people work, and the idea that social networks have strong leverage is very appealing. Gladwell lays out the idea in a neat, coherent package, and writes entertainingly enough that I sat in the cafe and read it cover to cover (instead of just reading the first couple chapters as I'd originally intended).
Second, there are many questions that come to my mind from listening to this talk shortly after hearing two great lectures on the mathematical analysis of social networks. There are clear ways to identify Gladwell's "Connectors" just from looking at the structure of a social network. Are there similar structural effects that would make it possible to identify "Mavens?" It seems like the book recommendations on Goodreads would be an interesting place to study this, because there's enough information about the dynamics (who recommended a book to whom, or in what order were reviews posted) that one could reasonably attempt to identify Mavens a priori, then try to figure out if there are structural clues about who they are. That seems much more difficult to attempt in many other networks, where the structure is much more accessible than the dynamics.
Third, there is the nature of the book itself: a very popular book on a sociological topic. What makes this book so popular in itself? There are other very good books out there that discuss aspects of small-world phenomena; parts of Strogatz's Sync come to mind, for instance. I think Sync is as compelling as Tipping Point, and as well-written (better written, perhaps, in my admittedly biased view -- it shows in little ways that Strogatz is a professional mathematician and Gladwell a journalist). And yet Sync has not seen nearly the same level of popular success. I think a large part of Gladwell's success comes not just from the ideas, but from the way he packages them: the description of Connectors, Mavens, and tipping points, for example, each attached to a surprising story that the reader can relate to. Probably the fact that I'm thinking of this at all comes from reading Made to Stick so recently.
In any event, it's an entertaining book. Good fun.
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Hmm. That might be true, but I'm really not sure how you'd distinguish Mavens from Salesmen just based on looking at a structural summary of the interactions. What simple clues would I have to tell me that PA sold you on Joyce, as opposed to you having some latent interest in Joyce and going to PA to learn more?I'll probably take you up on Blink.
You wouldn't, just based on that one instance. But if I had repeatedly read books first reviewed by PA, it would be relevant - I wouldn't have coincidentally had latent interests in a large number of PA's authors.Upon further reflection, maybe Goodreads isn't a good place to uncover Mavens OR Salesmen. Gladwell's Mavens are agents of the marketplace - when one friend recommends a book to another, that recommendation isn't based on the book's cost or value. In fact, most of the books we've recommended to each other, we've lent each other. A Maven's comment whould be more along the lines of "buy your books at this website, they have the best prices."
Likewise, Gladwell's Salesmen have a physical gift of persuasion that wouldn't come across at all in written reviews.
Interesting to ponder. I'll bring Blink next time we meet up.
Glad you liked the book. I also have Blink if you're interested.