Tipping point is the moment of inflection: when one is now going south, rather than West; when the pendulum stops swinging left; when straw lands on the camel’s back.

Most particularily, it is when the thing _starts_ to move, not when everyone notices it moving rapidly.

In several responses, you mention that “the ideas” within the books are used to stimulate consumption, and seem to think that that’s sufficient to show that Gladwell is in favor of that outcome. Gladwell is simply explaining actual phenomena. He’s describing tactics that are already known and in use.

Claiming that his explanation of the factors that influence how people make decisions means he is in favor of consumerism is as silly as claiming that Newton’s Theory of Gravity means he’s in favor of airplane crashes, or that Greenpeace’s literature on endangered species means they’re in favor of poaching.

As a former financial journalist, I enjoy your writings and insight. That said, I do think your take on Blink is slightly off-target.

It’s been a couple of years since I read it, but wasn’t Blink primarily about micro-slicing; the idea that we see and recognize split-second facial movements people make? Our subconscious ability to recognize these movements influence our decisions more than we realize.

The concept is more applicable to, say, talking to a Real Estate agent or stockbroker, than buying toothpaste. Ralthor’s take on the book is very accurate.

Just my $0.02

I think the average reader will take away about 10 – 20 percent of the material and actually have it in mind when the common everyday purchase/negotiation. Like I said, I do find Gladwell’s books interesting. If you like those two books, you should also check out Robert Cialdini’s Influence book.

It would be much more appropriate if somebody dislikes what Trent has to say, to provide a counterpoint argument rather than to launch an ad hominem attack on Trent and his ethics as a blogger?

Did I mention yet that one part of a good blog post is one that invites comment and discussion of the ideas expressed within?

db
http://www.debtblitzkrieg.com

One other thing: have you thought of recommending your readers get their books from the library? That’s even better than buying books, except for the really rare ones that are worth repeat reads.

Thanks for your blog; I’m a new reader who plans to stick around.

You could easily make the reverse statement and say that he wants us to be rich by teaching the common person how to successfully market themselves or their products.

Anyways I don’t care what you title your posts, but it is an eye catching title, that doesn’t represent what you are talking about (unless you really think that Gladwell want people to spend more than they earn). Something like, “How Maxwell Gladwell thinks society tries to keep you poor” would be much better.

It is obvious that you did not fully read the article, and it is obvious that you jump to a conclusion and could not get past the title. You did not fully understand what Trent was talking about yet you still commented? You violated your own rule.

You also accuse Trent of causing controversy yet you make such a big deal out of the whole article as if to have an alternative motive. You commented in a way expecting to influence other readers with your opinion. Another violation of your own rule.

I have read both of Gladwell’s books which is why I thought it was very clever how Trent titled the article. Of course if you had read Gladwell’s books, and actually read the article you would have known that.

I like the Gladwell’s writing and the topics he has chosen to write about. I think more education is always more helpful, especially in managing our money. In other words, if we know how marketing phenomenas happen, we can counter the lies that the marketers want us to hear.

Of course, I do not expect a discussion on this topic because rather than sticking around to discuss it (as would normally be expected), you’re announcing that you’re no longer going to read this blog. “Blink” at work, indeed.

Malcolm Gladwell did not invent these marketing tactics, nor does he work for a marketing firm, nor is he advocating that anyone be poor or that he wants people to be poor. You didn’t support the title of this piece with any evidence whatsoever.

You’re really overstepping yourself here with the title of this post, and you’ve lost a recent reader as a result. I don’t understand why you’re writing about things that you don’t understand fully. I am not a Gladwell apologist, I don’t even know that I like or agree with him, but what I don’t like is the way you tried to twist your review of these books in order to generate controversy.

BTW, companies have sent out free samples for years. It’s called publicity, people, and bloggers are not some kind of holier than thou segment of the population. Microsoft didn’t invent that, either, so let’s not hold that up as a reason they are a ‘bad’ company – I guarantee you Apple hands out free stuff too.