The book “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” by Malcolm Galdwell, was an interesting read and enlightening book. It sheds light on theories that social epidemics explode and spread throughout our society like a contagious disease that affects us all. For examples, include the 80/20 principle and the “broken widow theory.” These theories are a few of the ideas that impressed me in Galdwell’s book.
“The Tipping Point” provided the meaning of the 80/20 principle, which states that in any situation roughly 80 percent of the work will be done by 20 percent of its participants. As an example, Galdwell used crime to illustrate this theory by showing how 20 percent of criminals commit 80 percent of crimes in most societies. The 80/20 principle helped open my eyes to a bigger picture. In theory, not everyone can afford to do everything, so for the 80 percent of the world that likes fashion, cars, music or video games, only 20 percent are able to spend the money on them.
Not only can Galdwell point out the problems on a large scale, but he also gives future communicators the solution to go about solving problems that may arrive. Galdwell explains the “broken window theory” with a story about a person who takes the same route to and from work every day and passes a window that is broken and notices that the window has not been repaired. That person will more than likely trespass to see what is in the house. The way I look at it is that human beings are curious creatures and with a slight chance to steal, people will explore the situation. The underlying message for reducing crime was to fix the small things such as graffiti, trash and potholes in the streets. Those community upgrades will have an effect on people who do care about the community, instead of the opposite where the citizens don’t care about the community, because it is dirty. So why should they, is the attitude people choose to uphold.
Crime did drop significantly in those communities after the small changes were made. For me I think about the small choices I make in my life that can have a domino effect on my future, which will determine the path I walk.
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ReplyDeleteI would have to say i agree with Brent. After carefully reading and understanding Brent supporting ideas to why he likes the Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" it coincides with the one of the reasons I too like the book. The 80/20 rule and vice versa is a great point that Brent makes when referencing to Gladwell’s book. To be able to know the average actions of humans by general observation is amazing and I think Brent as well as myself understood that the small things matter the most and can make big difference.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the statements written above. I believe the underlying message in it all is that subtle changes produce wide-spread results. Such is the case in both the 80/20 theory as well as the broken window. I believe ALL PR professionals and business persons alike should read this book,especially the two sections mentioned above. Marketing and PR strategies spend much of their time sending their messages to a broader audience in hopes of getting "more bang for their buck". However Gladwell's book seems to say that more emphasis needs to be placed on paying attention to smaller details and a narrowing messages to specific groups. Gladwell has made it clear in "the law of the few" that a tiny group/small detail can produce a wave of results. It is a huge point that need not be ignored...
ReplyDeleteI was impressed by Malcolm theories as well, however, I look at Malcolm Gladwell theories with the same critical eye that he views the three theories dealing with the disease outbreak in Maryland. Theories are not proven facts despite the studies that are conducted.
ReplyDeleteBut I must confess that he has a strong argument, and as a PR practitioner we must be able to have a strong argument backed by facts, examples and reasoning.
Great blog!