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.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
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.
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.
Monday, March 14, 2016
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.
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.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
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..
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..
Monday, March 7, 2016
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
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.
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.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
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.
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.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Chapter Three: The Trouble With Geniuses
Think of all the people you know who you deem to be “successful.” Why? Make a note of some reasons. Then, choose one person you consider to be a role model because he/she fits your definition of success/reasons for success. Write an exposé where you introduce this person and explain why you think he/she is a role model. You should offer not only commentary about this person, his/her traits, beliefs, but also, you should give examples of how this person befits your idea of success.
I think that success should not be measured by how much you have accomplished in your life. Success should be measured by the things that you have accomplished that you wanted to do and that made you happy. Success should also be measured by how much you have overcome in order to achieve the things that you have. Finally, I think that success is determined by your impact on others. I consider my sister to be a role model because she is following her dreams, she's been through a lot and she remains strong, and also because she is inspirational.
My sister is a role model because she is following her dreams. She has known she was in elementary school that she wants to be a lawyer and she hasn't allowed anyone or anything to deter her from taking the steps that she needs to become a lawyer. The fact that she is following her dreams makes her successful because success should be determined by the things you do that make you happy. I believe that even if you make a billion dollars doing something, if your heart isn't in it then you aren't successful.
I also believe that my big sister is a role model because she has been through a lot and she still remains strong. Last year my family went through something very devastating and my sister was all the way in Connecticut when it happened. My sister is the second oldest so I think that maybe she felt responsible for making sure that my brother and I were okay. If I were my sister I think that I would have either thrown myself completely into school work or I would have completely given up on school to be with my family. Her strength and persistence also makes her successful because overcoming obstacles is a part of success. I believe that if there aren't little upsets in a journey every now and then it is too easy and isn't worth taking.
The most important reason why my sister is a role model is because she is inspirational. My sister understands how important having good grades and finishing school is to me. She also knows that I stress a lot about school, sometimes to unhealthy extents. Whenever I decide that I'm done with school and I say that I want to drop out, I can call my sister and she'll tell me why I won't and shouldn't. She inspires me to keep going regardless of the minor setbacks because one day it will all be worth it. Her quality of being inspiring makes her successful because success should be based on how you impact the people around you and she inspires me everyday.
My sister may only be in her third year of college and not quite close to achieving her goals but I believe that she is already successful. Anyone who impacts the life of others while following their dreams and are persistent and hungry to achieve their goals is successful in my book.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Chapter Two: The 10,000 Hour Rule
If it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert, do you think anyone with this knowledge can make and carry about a plan to achieve this level of success? Why or why not?
I don't think that anyone who knows that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert can make a plan to achieve this level of success because 10,000 hours of practice didn't necessarily make these people great. Sure it helped out a lot but there were other things that took place that made it possible for them to get these 10,000 hours of practice. I believe that some kind of special opportunity has to go along with it. For example Bill Gates had the special opportunity of having access to a computer terminal at 13 years old. Most kids today are inseparable from their electronics. Most of us have probably gone above and beyond 10,000 hours of being on the internet and typing in our short lives but none of us are billionaires yet. This is because having access to a computer isn't as rare as it used to be. A lot of people have them and they actually aren't extremely expensive.
I don't think that anyone who knows that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert can make a plan to achieve this level of success because 10,000 hours of practice didn't necessarily make these people great. Sure it helped out a lot but there were other things that took place that made it possible for them to get these 10,000 hours of practice. I believe that some kind of special opportunity has to go along with it. For example Bill Gates had the special opportunity of having access to a computer terminal at 13 years old. Most kids today are inseparable from their electronics. Most of us have probably gone above and beyond 10,000 hours of being on the internet and typing in our short lives but none of us are billionaires yet. This is because having access to a computer isn't as rare as it used to be. A lot of people have them and they actually aren't extremely expensive.
Chapter One: The Matthew Effect
How does Gladwell’s conclusive Matthew Effect apply to you? What has been your experience?
I believe that in some ways Gladwell's Matthew Effect applies to me but in others it doesn't. For example Gladwell is basically saying that people born in the first few months of the year make it to the top however that isn't necessarily true. Of the 50 students that were apart of the middle school who had Algebra 1 8th grade year only 6 of us ended up in Algebra 2 and Geometry our freshman year which gave us an advantage over our fellow classmates. Our birthdays are in August, October, October, December, July and May. None of us were born within the first few months of the year yet we still are in a sense above our classmates.
However, I do believe that special opportunities have a lot to do with success and that cutoff dates do too. Fortunately for me I was lucky enough to have parents who didn't believe in baby talking me and took it upon themselves to teach me things a long time before I was even old enough to start school. Luckily for me I was able to go to preschool at 3 years old where I learned (or rather relearned) things like counting and the alphabet. The fact that I wasn't 4 stopped me from moving on to going to school regardless of the fact that I knew everything all the 4 year olds should have known. So I went to preschool, pre-k and kindergarten where I basically learned the same things over and over again to the point where I was able to teach these things to other students by kindergarten. I believe that all of these things have something to do with who I am and what I have achieved thus far.
I believe that in some ways Gladwell's Matthew Effect applies to me but in others it doesn't. For example Gladwell is basically saying that people born in the first few months of the year make it to the top however that isn't necessarily true. Of the 50 students that were apart of the middle school who had Algebra 1 8th grade year only 6 of us ended up in Algebra 2 and Geometry our freshman year which gave us an advantage over our fellow classmates. Our birthdays are in August, October, October, December, July and May. None of us were born within the first few months of the year yet we still are in a sense above our classmates.
However, I do believe that special opportunities have a lot to do with success and that cutoff dates do too. Fortunately for me I was lucky enough to have parents who didn't believe in baby talking me and took it upon themselves to teach me things a long time before I was even old enough to start school. Luckily for me I was able to go to preschool at 3 years old where I learned (or rather relearned) things like counting and the alphabet. The fact that I wasn't 4 stopped me from moving on to going to school regardless of the fact that I knew everything all the 4 year olds should have known. So I went to preschool, pre-k and kindergarten where I basically learned the same things over and over again to the point where I was able to teach these things to other students by kindergarten. I believe that all of these things have something to do with who I am and what I have achieved thus far.
Chapter 1 Questions
1. Explain the meaning of the passage from Matthew 25:29.
The passage from Matthew 25:29 means that people that have things will continue to get things and those that do not have anything will have things taken away from them.
2. How is Canadian hockey a meritocracy? In what ways does Gladwell show his skepticism regarding the idea?
Canadian hockey is a meritocracy because most boys begin to play hockey before they are even in kindergarten and then the talented ones are separated out and go on to the next level which continues to happen until they are teens which is when the best of the best go into the top of the chain which is Major Junior A. Gladwell shows his skepticism of this idea by first claiming that success in hockey is based on individual merit and then saying well maybe not. He then goes onto say that maybe talent is the only deciding factor of success by showing that the successful hockey players mostly have birthdays in January, February, and March. He also talks about the cut off date being really important to the success of players.
3. Which stories sound the most interesting to you (Gladwell outlines many of his chapters on the bottom of page 17 and the top of page 18)?
The stories about business tycoons, pilots, and Asians being good at math interest me.
4. What does Gladwell say is the stereotypical story of the rise to the top? What examples does he cite?
Gladwell say the stereotypical story of the rise to the top is the person was born into modest circumstances, and his own talent allows him to reach the top. He cites Joseph from the Bible, Jeb Bush, and Benjamin Franklin.
5. What is Gladwell’s counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success?
Gladwell's counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success is that success is not solely due to individual merit but also cultural legacy, patronage, parentage, hidden advantages and special opportunities.
6. How does his analogy of “the tallest oak” apply?
His analogy of the tallest oak applies to his counterpoint because the analogy says that the tallest oak didn't become the tallest oak just because it was from a hardy acorn. The tree's sunlight wasn't blocked by other trees, it had deep and rich soil, no rabbits tried to eat it, and no lumber jack cut it down. The opportunities Gladwell referred to in this case are those things.
7. According to Gladwell, how is a 13 or 14 year old Canadian really better?
A 13 or 14 year old Canadian hockey player is really better because of the fact that the cut off date for hockey in Canada is January 1st meaning that people born in January will have advantages over people born later in the year even though they will be on the same team with them. At 9 or 10 rep squads are chosen more than likely based on the size and coordination of the players. When these bigger players who are older get chosen for the rep squad they get more practice and better coaches which makes them better.
8. Read the footnote at the bottom of page 25. Define, in your own words, the term “self- fulfilling prophecy.”
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true due to something that you did to make it come true.
9. How does Gladwell apply his theory to education?
Gladwell applies his theory to education by talking about a test called the TIMSS which showed that among fourth graders the older ones scored 4 to 12 percentile points better than the younger ones.
10. What solutions does Gladwell propose (33)? Why does he say we don’t pursue these?
Gladwell proposes that students be separated into classes based on their birth months. He says that we don't pursue these because we are to stuck on the idea that success is due to individual merit.
The passage from Matthew 25:29 means that people that have things will continue to get things and those that do not have anything will have things taken away from them.
2. How is Canadian hockey a meritocracy? In what ways does Gladwell show his skepticism regarding the idea?
Canadian hockey is a meritocracy because most boys begin to play hockey before they are even in kindergarten and then the talented ones are separated out and go on to the next level which continues to happen until they are teens which is when the best of the best go into the top of the chain which is Major Junior A. Gladwell shows his skepticism of this idea by first claiming that success in hockey is based on individual merit and then saying well maybe not. He then goes onto say that maybe talent is the only deciding factor of success by showing that the successful hockey players mostly have birthdays in January, February, and March. He also talks about the cut off date being really important to the success of players.
3. Which stories sound the most interesting to you (Gladwell outlines many of his chapters on the bottom of page 17 and the top of page 18)?
The stories about business tycoons, pilots, and Asians being good at math interest me.
4. What does Gladwell say is the stereotypical story of the rise to the top? What examples does he cite?
Gladwell say the stereotypical story of the rise to the top is the person was born into modest circumstances, and his own talent allows him to reach the top. He cites Joseph from the Bible, Jeb Bush, and Benjamin Franklin.
5. What is Gladwell’s counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success?
Gladwell's counterpoint to the stereotypical explanation and origins of success is that success is not solely due to individual merit but also cultural legacy, patronage, parentage, hidden advantages and special opportunities.
6. How does his analogy of “the tallest oak” apply?
His analogy of the tallest oak applies to his counterpoint because the analogy says that the tallest oak didn't become the tallest oak just because it was from a hardy acorn. The tree's sunlight wasn't blocked by other trees, it had deep and rich soil, no rabbits tried to eat it, and no lumber jack cut it down. The opportunities Gladwell referred to in this case are those things.
7. According to Gladwell, how is a 13 or 14 year old Canadian really better?
A 13 or 14 year old Canadian hockey player is really better because of the fact that the cut off date for hockey in Canada is January 1st meaning that people born in January will have advantages over people born later in the year even though they will be on the same team with them. At 9 or 10 rep squads are chosen more than likely based on the size and coordination of the players. When these bigger players who are older get chosen for the rep squad they get more practice and better coaches which makes them better.
8. Read the footnote at the bottom of page 25. Define, in your own words, the term “self- fulfilling prophecy.”
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true due to something that you did to make it come true.
9. How does Gladwell apply his theory to education?
Gladwell applies his theory to education by talking about a test called the TIMSS which showed that among fourth graders the older ones scored 4 to 12 percentile points better than the younger ones.
10. What solutions does Gladwell propose (33)? Why does he say we don’t pursue these?
Gladwell proposes that students be separated into classes based on their birth months. He says that we don't pursue these because we are to stuck on the idea that success is due to individual merit.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
RCQ
"We pretend that success is exclusively a matter of individual merit" (67).
Success can not solely be a result of the individual merit of a person. I believe that every accomplishment made by an individual is due to something that happened to work in their favor or someone that made things possible for them. In Outliers, this is shown in the case of Bill Gates and also in the case of the children of garment workers.
Gates said that "That
year, they put three thousand dollars into a computer terminal
down in this funny little room that we subsequently
took control of. It was kind of an amazing thing" (Gladwell 51). Bill Gates may have never been the successful billionaire that he is if something had not worked in his favor. Bill Gates' school so happened to have an extra $3,000 lying around which had to have been luck because most schools could have found other things to put the money towards like text books, or improving the school but his school decided to spend it on a computer terminal that didn't necessarily benefit the student body. Having the money to purchase the terminal was lucky for Bill and had that not happened he probably may have never broken into the world of computers in the way that he did.
The fact that individual merit is not exclusively the cause of success is apparent when Gladwell talks about garment workers and a study that was done that showed that the grandchildren of garment workers whose children were also garment workers became lawyers and doctors (Gladwell 152). Their parents and grandparents worked in sewing together clothes in order for their children to be able to go to school and become doctors and lawyers. Their parents and grandparents gave up having so many things in order for them to live the lives that they do so their success is first and foremost due to the toil of their parents and grandparents.
The fact that individual merit is not exclusively the cause of success is apparent when Gladwell talks about garment workers and a study that was done that showed that the grandchildren of garment workers whose children were also garment workers became lawyers and doctors (Gladwell 152). Their parents and grandparents worked in sewing together clothes in order for their children to be able to go to school and become doctors and lawyers. Their parents and grandparents gave up having so many things in order for them to live the lives that they do so their success is first and foremost due to the toil of their parents and grandparents.
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