Midway Review: Outliers

            Like David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell’s third book, Outliers, has not been a letdown.  I’ve learned a lot already, and I am looking forward to continuing.  But first, let me fill you in on what I’ve read so far.

            At this point the main lesson I’ve picked up on is that success doesn’t happen just by chance or through the remarkable efforts of an individual.  There are a lot of different factors that contribute to success, and not only are there specific times and events and dates, but there are also unique combinations that have proven to be beneficial.  These underlying causes are quite profound, as they can be used to predict not only favorable outcomes (becoming, say, one of the richest people in the world) but also to calculate when and why someone or something might not turn out positively.  Utilizing factors such as business opportunities and time to explore certain fields for approximately 10,000 hours is often enough to distinguish masters from everyone else -- to define outliers, in other words.  But as Gladwell notes, “ten thousand hours is an enormous amount of time.  It’s all but impossible to reach that number all by yourself by the time you’re a young adult” (42).  Having the good fortune of being raised by and in a position filled with supportive family members, peers, professionals, and other resources definitely does not hurt.

            While it is now apparent that many different forces play into our common definition of a successful man or woman, Gladwell doesn’t fail to acknowledge what people do to propel themselves to the top.  There are useful external factors such as having a good education and working opportunities and being surrounded by businesses and schools with incredible resources.  However, none of this matters if you don’t take advantage of the available resources.  Repeated, purposeful exposure to these elements is a driving force in what makes some win and some lose.  Gladwell posits that “Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good.  It’s the thing you do that makes you good” (42).

            As always, it’s difficult to predict the exact anecdotes and analyses that Gladwell will use to back up his points, but from my prior experience and a little knowledge of what lies ahead, I predict that he’ll continue to talk about what sets successful people/cultures/businesses apart from others by using such an example as pilots and their origins.

            Gladwell’s books are very much grounded in evidence and facts, but the casual tone and plethora of relatable examples make the books feel less like a long thesis paper and more like an intriguing conversation.  I can’t wait to finish Outliers, and I hope you’ll check back for my final commentary!

Introduction: Outliers

            I already read one book by Malcolm Gladwell in the past few weeks (David and Goliath) and I am excited to begin another.  The final book I’ll be reading is Outliers, and it is actually a book that I have already partly read.  Last year I read an excerpt from the book about the ten thousand hour rule, which in essence states that in order to become a “master” at any given subject (sports, music, art, etc.) one must practice practice practice for at least 10,000 hours.  I think the only things I have mastered at this point are sleeping and going to school.

            But Outliers is about much more than just mastering something.  It’s about what those masters do with their skills, namely, how they reap the benefits of their tremendous talents.  An even shorter way of telling you what this book is about is quoting the inside flap; “Outliers will transform the way we understand success.”

            I have nothing against success, let alone knowing how and why it happens, so I am looking forward to reading Outliers.  Like the other two Gladwell books I’ve read, I think it’s safe to say that this book will be filled with a plethora of anecdotes and analyses that will reshape the way I think about achievements.

End Review: 1984

            One of the lessons that 1984 drives home really well is the idea that perspective is, in some sense, everything.  As the reader, I predicted that this “negative utopia” would “end in a blunt, horrific way.”  For me, this was the case, because (spoiler) Smith finally succumbed to the Party and convinced himself to give what was left of his heart to the regime.  “He loved Big Brother” (245) (end spoiler).  Throughout the entire book, I tagged along as Smith fought against the totalitarian powers that so desperately wanted to squeeze the life out of him.  To see him give in with such helplessness was disappointing, to say the least.

            On the other hand, Smith had been changed so much that for him, to love Big Brother seemed like an instinct.  I think this is one of, if not the, primary points that Orwell wants to drive home.  When an individual or group wields so much control that the subjects they govern are no longer themselves, all hope is lost.  When we are stripped of rhyme and reason, we become automatons.  As a thinking, somewhat rational human being, the thought of no longer being in control of my own mind is frightening.

            Luckily, we are not, at least in America, at that point.  There is a difference between privacy and sanity.  Privacy induces the notion that there must be something other than existence in the public eye, while sanity suggests control over one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.  When people exploded over the news about the NSA, they were concerned about privacy, and yet they seemed (at least to me) to be reacting to the issue of sanity.  As far as I know, all the NSA was doing was collecting bulk amounts of data.  Unless an individual raised suspicion, no single person was tagged.  However, people felt like their lives were being intruded upon, that every move they made, every sound they uttered, was being scrutinized.  Again, as far as I know, that’s just not true.  After reading 1984, I certainly don’t think data collection should go any further in the sense that all individuals suddenly are watched and monitored.  In cases where individuals were targeted for strategic -- not security -- purposes, that needs to stop, but as long as we can think freely and critically (in other words, as sane humans) people should stop criticizing the NSA.

            Back to the subject of 1984.  One of the ideas that really stuck with me was the notion “that if you want to keep a secret you must also hide it from yourself” (231).  In a world where individuals really are scrutinized, locking any revealing information away from even yourself appears to be one of the most valuable survival tools.  I simply cannot imagine having to lockdown my own mind.

            I have never read a dystopian novel in its entirety, and after finishing 1984, I must say they are quite fascinating.  While they tell of bleak futures, they also offer insight into the present, when there is still hope.  I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who cares about mankind.  Check back for insights and commentary on the next book I’ll be reading (Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell)!