Having read 2.5 of his books (I'm halfway through Outliers), I have mixed feelings about Gladwell. He writes very well, and calls attention to some important research in psychology. But he does tend to over-interpret research results, especially in Blink.
________________________________________ From: Michael Palij [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 12:28 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Cc: Mike Palij Subject: [tips] Drop Kicking Malcolm Gladwell 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])
