I have to admit that when I began reading The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell, I wasn’t immediately hooked or intrigued. I was struggling to understand exactly what the point of the book was, but after reading further, my interest grew and the ‘Tipping Point’ began making sense to me.
Before I explain what I learned from the book, I first want to share some things I liked about it. The author provided many historical and modern examples throughout the book to help explain his ideas and points. I especially enjoyed reading the one about Paul Revere. Second, I like that the book brought up a topic that I never really gave much thought to, which is how epidemics spread. I’m not just talking about health or crime epidemics, but social epidemics as well. How do things become popular, and then spread like wildfire? The Tipping Point offers an answer, well actually three.
So, why is the book called, “The Tipping Point?” The Tipping Point is the point where trends, ideas, or messages spread and become viral.
“…The three rules of the Tipping Point—the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, the Power of Context— offer a way of making sense of epidemics. They provide us with direction for how to go about reaching a Tipping Point…”
The Law of the Few states that a few people are responsible for making a trend, idea, message, etc spread.
“…A tiny percentage of people do the majority of the work…”
These people are known as Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. Connectors know a lot of people; they are social butterflies. Mavens have a lot of knowledge, and therefore want to share it in order to help other people; they are teachers. Salesmen are able to get others to jump on the bandwagon; they are persuaders.
In order for something to become contagious and memorable, it must have the Stickiness Factor. It has to make an impact in order for people to act.
Lastly, the Power of Context states that epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which they occur. For example, the book provides a likely reason why Paul Revere’s ride was so successful. It’s because he rode at night, a time when everyone is fast asleep in their beds and not out and about on errands and such. It was easy to find people, and warm them that, ‘the British are coming!”
As I was reading this book, I kept thinking about some recent viral video epidemics such as the Harlem Shake, the Ice Bucket Challenge, and What Does the Fox Say?
All three viral videos follow the three rules of the Tipping Point. At some point, all of these videos had a small following that eventually grew because of Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. All three videos are memorable, because they’re either funny, or catchy. The Ice Bucket Challenge, for example, made people want to give to charity, as well participate in a fun, but also educating challenge. I would argue that the reason why all three videos were successful is because they were all posted online, and anything on the internet has the possibility of reaching a worldwide audience. The internet is so popular nowadays, with people choosing to spend time surfing the internet, rather than watching television.
I get to work with fellow UF CJC students almost every day. I love working with them, because they’re all so talented and are just as enthusiastic and passionate about news as I am.
Officially Obsessed 