"The premise of this facile piece of pop sociology has built-in appeal: little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Gladwell's thesis that ideas, products, messages and behaviors "spread just like viruses do" remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of "word-of-mouth epidemics" triggered with the help of three pivotal types. These are Connectors, sociable personalities who bring people together; Mavens, who like to pass along knowledge; and Salesmen, adept at persuading the unenlightened."

I started this book a bit skeptical. I had a chip on my shoulder after reading several critiques of this book as being a seductively flashy pseudo-scientific social analysis/pop psychology exercise without having any actual research or facts to back it up (only convenient anecdotes). As the author lays out his theories in chapter one, I thought both examples he gave were way too complicated to ever be quantified into something that readers could ever learn from or replicate.

However, by the end of chapter one I am actually enjoying myself and don't really care whether Gladwell is right or not. The book is holding my interest, and that's what matters.

Promised to breeni in at www.BookRelay.com.

Well, the book did stay interesting, with lots of citations to scientific and psycholigical research, and Gladwell surprisingly did break down the examples in the opening chapter into recognizable elements. However, it felt like literary junk food, without much substance. It didn't leave me with any strong impressions.

To be mailed in a day or so.

Received today! Thanks a bunch!

"THE TIPPING POINT IS THAT MAGIC MOMENT WHEN AN IDEA, TREND, OR SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CROSSES A THRESHOLD, TIPS, AND SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas."

Reserved for SCRAM33 for RWL relay.

RELEASE NOTES:

Very insightful book that really makes you look at life differently. I placed the blame for fads on the advertising companies, but it's so much more. Reminds me of a lesson I've been taught over and over in retail: 10% of customers will never shoplift, whether the opportunity arises or not, 10% of people will always shoplift, no matter what, and 80% of customers will shoplift if provided the opportunity. It's the 80% we have to look out for.

Sending to SCRAM33. Enjoy!

Wow this looks really good! I'm looking forward to this one. Thanks for sharing!

I don't know how much I could actually use the information I took away from this book, but I was fascinated by several of the anecdotes. I especially enjoyed the chapters about the Sesame Street, Blue's Clues and children and tobacco. I loved the idea about using this line of thinking when it comes to things such as health education. Obviously some of the things we've done in the past to disseminate "boring" information such as cancer awareness, drug awareness and nutrition have failed to capture the attention of their target audiences. I think people could really do some good by implementing some of the ideas in this book for these types of things. As far as the arguments regarding "pseudo-science" go I think people are distrustful of things that go against conventional ways of thinking and that don't have complicated, dry explanations. Sometimes things really are as simple as they seem. In several instances the author did cite what seemed to be credible scientific studies by major universities to back up his theories. Thanks for sharing this one!

I got this in the mail today. Thanks for sending it!

I realized when i got this book that I had already read it. I did another quick read through. This was an interesting book that made you think about how much impact we could have. I am not sure if all of the claims made in this book have been backed up by research. Some how I don't think I will ever be able to start any major fashion trends no matter what this book says. ;)

Thank you, nynjagrrrl, for offering this as an RABCK. It was originally recommended to me by a friend, but since then I've read so many reviews and heard so many interesting comments about it that I'm anxious to read it and find out what all the hullabaloo is about.

Interesting analysis of who and what cause social epidemics such as fashion trends and behavior patterns. Everything from why certain books become bestsellers to why removing graffiti from subways reduced crime in New York City. Gladwell identifies the personalities of the Connectors, the Mavens, and the Salesmen - - the three types of people who have the power to produce social epidemics. This book made me think that seemingly small ideas can make big changes in our society.

RELEASE NOTES:

I saw this on KateKintail's wishlist and we arranged a trade. It was sent to her today in Virginia via media mail.

Received this in the mail today. It's been on my wishlist for a long time. It's great reading all the reviews from you. After what I've heard and read now it looks like I have an interesting read ahead of me.

This will go on my special BookCrossing TBR shelf for a little while until I can get to it. Thanks!