Epilogue: A Jamaican Story

Is the book Outliers encouraging, or it is discouraging? Would you recommend it to a friend? Why or why not?

I feel as though to a certain group of people Outliers may be encouraging but to people who don't fall into certain categories it can be discouraging. Gladwell talked about class and birth months playing a role in success. For someone who was born in August and came from a really poor family it could be very discouraging. I also think that it could be discouraging because in the end he says that outliers aren't really outliers at all so it kind of makes you feel like you aren't special. Although the book could be discouraging, I would recommend it to a friend because it is very intriguing and it makes you want to examine the success of famous people to see if it is true. I would also recommend it because it makes success seem more achievable. 

Chapter Nine: Marita's Bargain

Implement the SSLANT form of communication deliberately for a day.  Share your observations about yourself and how others responded to you.  Smile Sit up Listen Ask Questions Nod and Track.

I found that practicing SSLANT for a day was difficult. I think that if I had been able to practice SSLANT for an entire day my teachers may have been more excited to teach. When the students give off tired and annoyed vibes so do the teachers and vice versa. I noticed that instead of engaging us in conversation most of our teachers tell us to take notes. Instead of paying attention to what the teacher is saying we are writing and in turn when we are writing we don't really learn anything. I think that the sit up, listening, asking questions, and tracking portions of SSLANT are good because they allow you to stay focused and engaged in the conversation. I don't necessarily think that the smiling portion is very important. 

Chapter Eight: “Rice Paddies and Math Tests”

This chapter suggests that a major factor that contributes to the success of Asian nations on math tests is their positive attitude towards hard work. Do you think American students are committed towards hard work and perseverance? Why or why not?

I don't think that American students are committed towards hard work and perseverance because we were not raised in a culture like the rice paddy culture where the people have to spend time on perfecting the rice paddy so that the rice would come out right. In America we have machines that tend the soil for us and all we have to do ourselves is throw some seeds in the dirt and come back to harvest the crops. Our culture doesn't teach us perseverance or hard work. It teaches us that there is a machine to solve any problems that we have. There was nothing that taught us that there is a connection between hard work and perseverance and reward. 

Chapter Seven: “The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes”

Under what circumstances is it acceptable or appropriate to question authority? In what cases would it not be acceptable or appropriate to defy authority?

I believe that it is acceptable or appropriate to question authority when the authoritative figure is making decisions that are not right for you or the other people they are making decisions. For example, if your guidance counselor says that you can't a class because it isn't right for you but it's in a subject that you are really interested in and that will help you in the future then it is appropriate to question their judgement. I think that if you know that what they are doing is wrong or will harm someone then it is okay to speak up. It is not acceptable or appropriate to defy authority when the person is just trying to look out for you. For example, if your parent tells you that you can't go to a party because it's not safe for you to be out late at night especially in a bad neighborhood, then you should not defy them. If you're putting your life or someone else's in danger by not listening then you should obey orders.. 

Chapter 6: Harlan Kentucky

Do you agree with the culture of honor hypothesis—that where and how one’s ancestors many generations back grew up has an impact on the current generation? Why or why not?

I do agree with the culture of honor hypothesis because people are influenced by their families. For example, in my family my grandmother was taught to address adults with respect and to do as she was told. She raised my mother and aunts and uncles the same way. My mother raised my siblings and I the same way and I'm sure my siblings will raise their children the same way. Many non-material things are passed on from generation to generation such as morals and manners. If people can pass on traditions and manners and morals, I'm sure they can also pass on things such as attitude and demeanor like the hypothesis suggests about southerners. 

Chapter Five: The Three Lessons of Joe Flom

What are some ways in which demographic luck can impact a person's chance at success?

Demographic luck can impact a person's chance at success severely. In Outliers Maurice Janklow was a lawyer who ended up closing titles as opposed to his son, Mort, who sold his cable business for tens of millions of dollars. Mort Janklow had demographic luck because he was born during the depression when less kids were born than the generations before and after them. This allowed him to go to New York City public schools at their high point because they weren't overcrowded. His demographic luck also gave him a chance to attend any college he wanted to. Being born in a demographic category that has some sort of advantage can allow for other advantages which in turn increase chances of success.

Chapter 4: The Trouble with Geniuses Part 2

Gladwell argues that socio-economic status, or class, greatly contributes to an individual's success.  Do you agree?  Identify a SPORT related example contributing to success of proving irrelevant.

I do agree that socio-economic status greatly contributes to an individual's success because people of lower socio-economic status may not be afforded the same opportunities as those of higher socio-economic status. For example, here in Newark you can find basketball courts in every park. However, it might be a little more difficult to find a golf course. The only one I can think of is in Weequahic Park. In upper class neighborhoods there might be more country clubs with golf courses as opposed to basketball courts. A kid from a neighborhood like Newark is less likely to make it in golf than a kid from an upper class neighborhood because they have less opportunity and less exposure to the sport. Their parents might not be able to afford to take them somewhere else to play golf or pay someone to coach them. But in Newark there's a basketball court literally everywhere. I think that if Shaq grew up in a wealthier neighborhood he might not have become the amazing basketball player that he was because there would have been more opportunities out there for him to join other sports. Just like if Tiger Woods would have grown up in a poorer neighborhood he might not be a great golfer because there would be less opportunities to play golf.