Interesting review in the Independent of Malcolm Gladwell’s recent speaking tour to the UK. Gladwell is the author of The Tipping Point and Blink. He first came to prominence with a feature for the New Yorker entitled the ‘Coolhunt’.
The review focuses on Gladwell’s claim that in addition to determination, intelligence, personal circumstance, culture and luck, people who reach the top of their game put in some 10,000 hours of practice to achieve their success. And as the review points out, no doubt class, privilege and access to plenty of money play a big part.
The review of Gladwell’s take on high-fliers turns to something of a potted biography of Gladwell himself and the basis of his own success. This seems to focus on Gladwell’s willingness to tackle what might be regarded as difficult topics, such as cultural differences, often ruled out of bounds by political correctness. It makes for interesting reading and is perhaps yet another take on the cool persona’s refusal of constraints and inclination to tread dangerous ground.
