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Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers Summary

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Through multiple cases, Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers” challenges the theories that success is self-made. He discovers hidden advantages and opportunities that allowed for people to become successful. He defines an outlier as “a person who doesn't fit into our normal understanding of achievement”, and attempts to convince the reader these outliers are beneficiaries or extraordinary opportunity and special circumstances. Part one of “Outliers” is centered around “The Matthew Effect”, stemming from the Bible, as in Matthew, one of the disciples just happened to be at the right place, right time, when Jesus picked him to become a disciple. The statistical advantage of time is looked at extensively in chapter one. After attending a Canadian professional …show more content…
Beginning this section with Korean Air and cultural legacy, Gladwell proposes that where we come from culturally, determines are conformation of rules of speech and interpretation. Korean Air in the 80’s was one of the worst airlines for plane crashes statically but by the 2000’s they were able to turn themselves around because they trained their pilots in English, therefore allowing them to be more direct in the cockpit rather than suggestive. Another legacy that Gladwell brings to focus is the link between China and math. In China, rice farming is a crucial part of society.. After describing China’s importance on rice farming, Gladwell gives a brief explanation of the number system in China. Statistically, Chinese children can count up to 40 two years sooner than American children. Rice farming involves perfectionism, long, rigorous days and no days off. The more work you put into a rice paddy, the more benefit you will reap. According to the book, it is estimated that the average rice farmer will put in 3,000 of work a year. Rice farming in China has led to a cultural belief that hard work can be equated to success, a key factor in school according to

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