AudibleInk - The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

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Binding: Audio CD Dewey Decimal Number: 302 EAN: 9781600240058 Format: Audiobook ISBN: 1600240054 Label: Hachette Audio Manufacturer: Hachette Audio Number Of Items: 8 Publication Date: 2007-04-03 Publisher: Hachette Audio Studio: Hachette Audio
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Editorial Reviews: "The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject.For example, Paul Revere was able to galvanize the forces of resistance so effectively in part because he was what Gladwell calls a "Connector": he knew just about everybody, particularly the revolutionary leaders in each of the towns that he rode through. But Revere "wasn't just the man with the biggest Rolodex in colonial Boston," he was also a "Maven" who gathered extensive information about the British. He knew what was going on and he knew exactly whom to tell. The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you.Gladwell develops these and other concepts (such as the "stickiness" of ideas or the effect of population size on information dispersal) through simple, clear explanations and entertainingly illustrative anecdotes, such as comparing the pedagogical methods of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, or explaining why it would be even easier to play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with the actor Rod Steiger. Although some readers may find the transitional passages between chapters hold their hands a little too tightly, and Gladwell's closing invocation of the possibilities of social engineering sketchy, even chilling, The Tipping Point is one of the most effective books on science for a general audience in ages. It seems inevitable that "tipping point," like "future shock" or "chaos theory," will soon become one of those ideas that everybody knows--or at least knows by name. --Ron Hogan
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Classic Comment: I guess I like this stuff? I'm divided. The one thing I can say for sure is that it is thought provoking. You may also like this one: Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition] Customer Rating: Summary: I like this, it's thought provoking Comment: My best attitude is that this book is very interesting, also try: Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition] Customer Rating: Summary: Not Reinventing the Wheel Comment: The book is interesting, with some enlightening stories and amusing anecdotes. However, I take exception Mr. Gladwell's touting of the small-changes-can-lead-to-big-consequences 'butterfly effect' philosophy as if it were his own. Either he is not very well versed in the world of chaos mathematics (which would be disappointing, scientifically), or he is not giving due deference to all those who came before him in developing New Math. I'm not sure which scenario is more disturbing, but the book has the feel of being disconnected from reality, due to his disregarding of those who established the field. Customer Rating: Summary: don't bother! Comment: This book is a lot of words that don't really go anywhere. Why is this a best seller? Customer Rating: Summary: Want to know what takes ideas over the edge? Comment: If you work in marketing, like me, you know that traction for a brand is critical and good products have tipping points en route to skyrocketing sales. Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point is a fascinating exploration of makes ideas explode. His anecdotes and research are fascinating, and some of his exploration focuses directly on consumer products, such as the resurgence of Hush Puppies. More Reviews