I like Malcolm's take on the epidemiological similarities beliefs share with viruses. It's a fun conversation that invites the reader to consider the transmission of ideas in a very animated and entertaining context. I question the actual correlation of various research and observations that he points to -- it feels like he takes certain liberties with sociological concepts and findings in ways that find causal relationships where I hesitate to believe they exist. But if you accept that some measure of artistic license has been taken in the name narration, it's easy to enjoy the ride that he takes the reader on and enjoy the journey for its own sake. Said differently, no one sits around and questions the reality of Frodo's ring -- they enjoy the story on its own merits. Similarly, I enjoy the tale woven for the magic it creates without being hassled by the prickly pseudo-science underlying it. 

I would recommend this book to others.

The next book I'd recommend we consider: Community by Peter Block.

FEBRUARY BOOK

Mission:

This is the first book that I have selected for the February reading.

Synopsis:

"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's The Tipping Point has quite a few interesting twists on the subject. - (Taken from Amazon.com Review)

Subject Talk:

Likes:

Dislikes:

Points of Discussion:

How can any of this book apply to our surroundings: (Personal, Neighborhood, City, County, State, National, Global)

Suggestions, Questions, Feelings, Comments:

Allie: Overall, I really liked this book. It's thought provoking and a reminder that the "effect web," is in constant motion. What I consider to be the most valuable information, is that of the first few chapters. I took delight in finding that I am a quasi - Maven / Connector. But even with that being said, I was able to apply my weaknessess when it comes to leadership. Sure, I can always get the better deal. I reaseach like a mad woman and I am a great people person. I have no qualms stealing the show or working a room...however, my end result is always lacking. I always find myself running out of steam at the end...or wondering how to connect the two people that should know each other but don't get along. After a tough negotiation I constantly wonder if I could have gotten a slight better deal if I had stayed grounded, etc.

Along those lines, Gladwell, underhandedly, points out another connection to be made on a grander scale. He summons that it takes a special type of person to be a salesman, a connector or a maven. He also angles his theory that unless you hold a special trait of the above, you don't, as a "regular" individual tend to seek out the different groups or types of people out of your comfort zone. I thought this was very intersting, as it can apply clearly to districts such as ours. Take the 37th district for example. Here you have an eclectic mix of Hispanics, African Americans, Italians and Caucausians living in the boundary lines (not to mention an entire segment of Vietnamese and Chinese living just another block away). But, in my opinion that outreach to each culture is minimal at best. Sure, one could argue that the merge of the district is relatively new, but the neighborhood thought process is as old as time. They are segmented....and show no signs of movement either way. You can also apply this to larger spaces, including national, but I would argue that as the space gets bigger so does the idealism behind it.

I plean to read the Stickiness factor over again. and will try to coorelate how this idea could apply best to the KCMO school system. Back in September, NPR, on This American Life ran a story called GO BIG. It was about a man named Geoffery Canada who started a school program in Harlem. Basically they start from birth and follow the children all the way until college. The premise is that the children create a world in which things such as math and science take precedence. Higher education is stressed on a daily basis and things such as teenage pregnancy and high school droppouts are something of the unknown. If we, as a city were to implement a new type of thought strategy that entailed both the involvement of the teacher, the student and the partent implementing new processes but maintaining the structure of time allotment and equal treatment, where could the school district rise to?