http://www.fenichel.com/APAlive2008.shtml
This URL will take you to information about Gladwell's presentation at APA last year. From all reports, I gathered he was very well received. My take on some of the negative reviews of his most recent book is that he is threatening a cherish belief of us all--that being of the "self-made man." His thesis is that a person's greatness or great accomplishments owe much to their fortunate circumstances. We know that such is absolutely NOT a popular notion. From what I have read of "Outliers," Gladwell provides plenty of empirical support for his thesis and I personally am very eager to read this book. But I also was not one bit surprised that it has not being well received by some . If we don't like the message, then we will slam the messenger. Such was the reality of also far more rigorous researchers who provided 'unpopular' data, as per how much Skinner was disliked in his day as well as how severely Belsky was criticized on day care research. Neither were criticized for their impeccable research but on what their data led them to conclude. Below is another critical review of Gladwell's book by the conservative columnist for the NYT's, David Brooks. I completely understand where he is coming from but believe his biases are strongly influencing his commentary. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/opinion/16brooks.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=brooks%20review%20of%20outliers&st=cse Joan [email protected] > There is an interesting (at least I thought so) review of Gladwell's > "Outliers" book in the current issue of the New Republic which > can be accessed at: > > http://www.tnr.com/booksarts/story.html?id=66135ae4-d551-43d6-85aa-b80ddc3e281a&p=1 > > I am aware of Gladwell's popularity but I haven't read any of > his books (i.e., "The Tipping Point", "Blink"). I have read a > couple of his New Yorker pieces which left me unimpressed. > Apparently I'm not the only one as Isaac Chotiner points out > in his review some of the problems with Gladwell's style of > presenting info and manner of argument. > > Didn't one of the major psych organizations (APA, APS) have > Gladwell as a speaker at one of their conventions? Anyone > attend? What was the reaction? > > -Mike Palij > New York University > [email protected] > > P.S. On a tangential note, I recommend the PBS "American > Experience" on J. Robert Oppenheimer whom Gladwell examines > in "Outliers". Does anyone remember a play entitled "In > Particular Men", I believe starring Stacy Keach, which was > also shown on PBS possibly in the 1970s? It was a dramatic > presentation of Oppenheimer's life, issues, and tragedy. > > > > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) > > --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
