Subtitled "Underdogs, Misfits and the art of battling giants." Malcom's contention is that heavy odds bear deeper study as they are not always what they seem. Sometimes a disadvantage can become an advantage.
It is better to be a Big Fish in a small pond than a Little Fish in a Big Pond. One example was the choice made to attend a prestigious university or to one where a particular student could shine. Another example was with impressionist artists in France. Although we now know their names Renoir, Cezannes, Monet and Degas they had been bypassed by the art authorities in France until they banded together for their own exhibition.
Dyslexia is a condition that it makes it very difficult to read as the letters in words are jumbled in the brain. Most who have this condition are unaware until the outside world forces them to. It is common for them to be good listeners and memorize what they have heard. One example given was David Boies who overcame reading difficulties by seeking alternatives such as organization and summaries. He learned he could go to law school without normal core subjects. Listening skills helped while others were taking notes he didn't miss any words. As a lawyer he became a litigator, meaning rather than heavy reading he had to think on his feet. Forced to condense arguments to make better decisions he eventually became a judge.
Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 5, but his mother didn't tell him as she feared he would use it as a crutch. Instead he got a lot of coaching for reading and it paid off.
The religious clashes in northern Ireland were compounded by a lack of legitimacy. When the Catholics and Protestants became violent, the British sent over trained armies. As Gladwell points out they would have been more effective if they were truly legitimate. Three requirements were 1). the ruled must feel they can have a voice 2). the law has to be predictable and 3). it has to be fair for everyone.
A quote used was from George Bernard Shaw: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
Other topics of interest include the London blitz, underdog basketball team, Birmingham racial struggles with Martin Luther King, the dangers of retribution and more with lessons to learn.
Earlier blogs for Malcom Gladwell with ideas that provoke more thinking:
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/talking-to-strangers.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/03/the-revenge-of-tipping-point.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2026/02/blink.html
Jacket cover by Elixer Design.
