Malcolm Gladwell at the 92nd Street Y

[wetyewruyrtsutrdhjfg]

1.16.30 - I have no love for the asian culture too. Was born in it and only grew my brains when I saw how much bullshit there was.

"You must listen to your elders! Don't talk back! I'm your mother/father/older uncle/older sister! I'm wiser than you! So you must listen to my advice and change, because I'm saying this for your own good!"

Then when I saw that they had feet of clay too, I tried telling them that they weren't perfect too. They laughed in my face. What did I know?

Bullshit.

[MitchellI503]

I must grant that Gladwell is funny ("Oppenheimer, tries to KILL, HIS TUTOR"), but the book is disturbing and wrong on many counts. The whole premise of it is that the american dream of "anyone can be or do anything" is wrong. He states that if you aren't lucky enough to be born in a certain time period, you should just "give up." He applies statistics, which are averages or coincidences, and then turns around that state that if you don't fit the norm, you can't do it! a bit like Socialism, even

[brownztone]

"Oppenheimer, tries to KILL HIS TUTOR..." I love that line. The same line is in the book (Outliers) in italics. Always makes me laugh.

[redryan20000]

is malcolm gladwell gay?

[TroyBlackford]

This guy doesn't know about the Beatles - not Gladwell, I'm talking about the interviewer. Robert Krulwich is not a great man.

[b29349]

What makes any child great is what they are praised incessently for doing as a child. Protect the Brain, Guide the Heart and the world will spirl up.

[asianfreak111]

hahahaha the "love of hockey... that dare not speak its name" that's glorious

[Mikeinatorable]

The bird they're talking about is the oxpecker--it's on the back of any large herding animal in Africa. Funnily enough, they pick parasites off of those creatures.

[ZachClooney]

This is a great discussion with Gladwell Always a joy to listen to him. Here, he is on top form.

[McPrfctday]

The start of this reminds me of the story about the toddler girl who picked up a stethoscope in the back of a car and put the two ear pieces in her ears... And the mother was thinking "ooh, this is great! It looks like we've got another budding doctor in the family!". Then the girl put the tube to her mouth and said "welcome to mcdonalds... take order please"

[lynnbibbysmith]

An antagonist is fine. How about just plain manners and thank Mr. Gladwell at the end of the interview and shake his hand? Or is that just a Canadian thing?

[TheThizzleManofSC]

I think what some are neglecting to acknowledge, or just playing can't see, is that it takes an antagonist and a protagonist in any situation to make it interesting. Krulwich, or whatever his name is, is simply playing the role. Great interview for a great book.

[TheThizzleManofSC]

I think what some are neglecting to acknowledge, or just playing can't see, is that it takes an antagonist and a protagonist in any situation to make it interesting. Krulwich ,or whatever his name is, is simply playing the role. Great interview for a great book.

[criminalistic]

one of the best pop-sociologists of our time

[ZachClooney]

@criminalistic And a compelling speaker.

[basehead617]

I agree that this interview is terrible. Krulwich comes across very badly. Also the way he is setting up the parts of the interview by feigning ignorance at the content of the book (which he obviously read in order to set them up), seems really cheesy to me. And the cellphone ringing - are you serious? Give me a break. Amateur hour. Malcolm was very gracious in dealing with him.

[G58]

The interviewer begins like an arrogant ass by blurting a blunt question, fails to sort out his ringing phone, arrogantly passes the problem of his own making to someone else, then quotes Gladwell's work out of apparent ignorance - as if as an accusation. Not promising. No, I don't expect toadying interviewers, but trying to grandstand and upstage is very bad.

[matthewlopez7]

What the hell is wrong with this interviewer? ...lmao. He talks about JFK having a spoon in every orifice; he makes an analogy using Broke Back Mountain; and says Blink is a "quickie" while the Malcolm's other book is hot and sweaty. WTF!!

[samann95014]

Great thinker !

[ironspade]

this guy is an intellectual rock star.

[tomblack2112]

Thank you very mkuch for posting this. Probably the most important video I have seen on tube.

[basehead617]

One thing to quibble with here - he should've been more explicit in who he was talking about during the discussion about WASPy lawfirms. He mentions Sullivan & Cromwell - but Sullivan & Cromwell WAS one of THE leading mergers and acquisitions lawfirms of the 1970s-1980s and had some of the top lawyers in that field. Bad example for him to use..

[kirter23]

I've seen his book Blink but I didn't blink twice... ok, not good. Actually, i batted my lashes 10,0000 times (yesterday?) so I guess I'm good now.

[FleshMob]

this guy is brilliant, this really makes sense...

[cinquehicks]

Best quote: 44:20 "Love isn't the whole explanation, but love is the way in."

[MaximusRelaximus]

Why must it be "cultural forces" that make Asians good at math? Oh, wait, I forgot, every race is really exactly the same in every aspect, naturally (despite the fact that that obviously couldn't be much farther from the truth), and we need to celebrate diversity because...christ, the fucking bullshit that people believe despite science, simple observation, common sense, and obvious realities never ceases to amaze me.

[sachibbsr]

Fabulous and wide ranging discussion ... best for the last when Gladwell talks about Chris Langan ...

[Carolyn000]

Amazing and fabulous discussion. I did not like the way the moderator spoke to Malcolm Gladwell, there was some deep rooted jealousy or other type of disdain he had for the phenominal writer. And in all of his GENIUS, Mr. Gladwell remained poised.

[tomblack2112]

@Carolyn000 Couldn't agree more. Crolich was just short of an absolute ass.

[gamerunknown]

Can't trust anyone that says they'd rather live 50 years ago to not be racist, sexist, etc.

[wholegreaterthansum]

for all of you talking about hip-hop videos that have more views than this video: (respectfully) you need a basic math lesson, this video is over 100 minutes long whereas the typical rap video clocks in at about 4 minutes, this means that in the time it takes to view this, we could watch a lil Wayne 25 times. 37,000 X 25 = 925,000. Now then, in order to really understand the depth/breadth of what these gentlemen are discussing, chances are you need to be at least 14 years old or older.

[Yoshiplace]

i have the same hair as this guy and i play with it just like that

[GregorEzpo]

Look at the viewer count on this video, then look at any random Kesha, Lil Wayne, etc. video. You will get a glimpse at what is wrong with the world we live in.

[alique087]

He loses me as a fan each time he tries to provide "solutions".

[ByronPhillipWilliams]

@alique087 If yu're refering to Malcolm Gladwell, why?

[hygeio]

he takes others research and writes about it, how is this "shear ingenuity". I love the way he writes but the true heroes are the people who does the research.

[MCAMVP]

i wish we'd have talked about this kind of stuff at school

[nicholaslancaster]

SKIP TO 3:40

It was as if the compere woman at the beginning were talking to a room of aliens, or perhaps it was an alien talking to a room full of people!

[angela1894]

Malcolm Gladwell is SOOO wrong about natural ability. It's ridiculous that any person thinks he's right. That audience must be full of FOOLS.. Natural ability matters A LOT.

[jackdentreprenuer]

@angela1894 it's about his tone, not his words. i liked how when the guy said the thing about the soccer mom thing, he answered with a question. a great conversationalists weapon. turn the table, the power dynamic, by answering a question with a question. haha. but rather it's a compliance method, not necessarily about power.

[appolo08]

@angela1894 He thinks natural ability matters up to a point because of the intelligence threshold

[ExistUNDRGROUND]

I find Malcolm Gladwell's books to be incredibly enlightening. He's definitely my favorite non-fiction writer.

[kokotye157]

This was a wonderful forum. And gladwell is funny and extremely intelligent to say the least. Now, why was he not afforded a handshake from the interviewer, instead he went for his phone. so crass.........................­.really

[mabell01]

Random comment: Kinda glad the rappers aren't watching. :)

[monkeys316]

The only bad thing about Gladwell is that I can't find any other book to compare and he makes everything else look like crap.

[shelisegr8love]

My birthday is October and I started school early. I had to test in to get in....I was soon put in remedial reading.....VERY INTERESTING!!! Then in regard to the village helping... It was when a teacher had Me tested that I was no longer in remedial reading. She saw beyond My title. I am an avid reader today....Of which Mr Gladwell is one of the authors....

[cosy18]

i wonder how data analytic can help on doing business and making products

[jvt95]

this man is a pure genius. everyone who sees this video cannot compare to him, becuase if we could, we would be in his seat.

[RomulanMastermind]

@jvt95

pure genius?

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

THIS GUY IS AGAINST GENIUS

WHAT AN ENVIOUS BITCH.

[hojima]

@RomulanMastermind You're not very smart are you.

[cohenfs]

Very stimulating. Thanks for posting. BTW, I don't find the interviewer to be much of a factor so the complaints about him are lost on me.

[cohenfs]

Why are folks on the interviewer's case? I find him to be a non-factor. Gladwell does 90% of the talking and takes it in the direction he wants. Anyhow, it's very stimulating. Thanks for posting.

[beradification]

Gladwell's books are childish, they're chock full of false hopes for people who suck at life.

[RomulanMastermind]

@beradification

LOL very true.

i made it without luck, resources..blah,blah, blah

[desario71]

twat

[beradification]

@desario71 Malcolm Gladwell is such a fool who writes the worst books. He is trying to give optimism to losers, and the losers think, hey if I give money to this guy I'll learn how to be the best floor mopper in the city!!

[jeffurbanlab]

The interviewer is Robert Krulwich. The people at 92nd Street Y would know who he is and the role he plays at RadioLab and WNYC. His "pompous" attitude is his character and is not to be taken seriously. You should definitely check out RadioLab. It is the absolute best science radio show around.

[hbknutjack]

at 32 minutes malcolm is talking about one of his best essays from the new yorker called why blacks are like boys and whites are like girls, must read and he explains that how the man aspect of what determines a person greatness is desire which his friends had and he did not, they ran up the hill backward. he ran home.

[Username2046]

Unlike the previous comments, I didn't find the interviewer to be rude, pompous, or anything negative for that matter (except the fact he didn't shake Malcolm's hand at the end. Wonder in which class he was raised and still is hehe). Actually, my perception of their 'chemistry' is very different, which enable me to enjoy the entire conversation thoroughly.

I honestly wish I had a library card of the Malcolm Gladwell's personal book collection; the man is that brilliant!

[bobthink88]

the interviewer sucks! big time! he tries to undermine malcolm gladweell. He tries to make the book sound childish.

[princeatom3121]

everything plays a part but at end of the day its all on a persons will.a rose can bloom out of concrete

[lynleyinlondon]

The interviewer is a terrible host. He is rude and pompous. There are ways of counterpoint that does not require a pissy attitude. Gladwell is very entertaining, which saves the event.

[hojima]

@lynleyinlondon Its called a conversation, though I doubt you would know about that.

[TrutherD1]

Did you know there's a secret worldwide aerosol spraying program? Our air is not clean. Search for "chemtrails", "Dont talk about the weather", "Endgame HQ".  Check my chan, I filmed it! We all need to wake up and wake others to stop this.

[liquidcashcow]

shear ingenuity amazing thought process...needs over 1 million views...instead of rappers getting 3 and 4 millions views!

[willpheonix]

@liquidcashcow Says alot about our culture.

[TroyBlackford]

@liquidcashcow No need to insult other things to prop this up. Not a good tendency.

[lynnbibbysmith]

Also, why did the interview in effect, ignore/diss Gladwell at the end? What, no handshake??? They seem to have a history.

[lynnbibbysmith]

Gladwell's point is that two people could love it equally, with the same passion, but one person has other elements such as environment, culture, support, lucky breaks, etc. and the other doesn't. The point is that "loving it" is simply the starting point. Gretzky loved hockey but if he didn't have parents that drove him to his practices, made a backyard rink and the Canadian Junior A organization, he might be a gym teacher in Brantford, Ontario...born Jan. 26th, btw.

[TheThizzleManofSC]

@lynnbibbysmith let's not forget that he was born in the beginning of the year. lol

[muzikman182]

I wish I could see more lectures of Malcolm simply speaking about carious issues, not neccesarily promoting a book

[TXRebelOK]

When the interviewer asks Malcolm the difference between two people who love something but one goes out to be great and the other is mediocre. I think Malcolm creates a nonfalsifiable hypothesis...meaning he says the person who obtained mediocrity does not 'truly' love that thing as the person who achieved greatness. But how can you ever prove someone truly and passionately loves something more than someone else? It's almost like you can always say - you didn't love it enough.

[MatCauthon333]

I feel like it really isn't that hard to tell if someone really loves what they are doing or not.

[MatCauthon333]

who cares? Something doesnt have to be falsifiable to be a decent hypothesis. And I dont think you have to no someone that well/long to see if someone really loves what they are going.

[TXRebelOK]

Of course it has to be falsifiable. That is one of the most important attributes of a good hypothesis. It must be incorporate accumulated facts, make predictions, and be falsifiable. This is a fundamental, and required for anyone (in science) to take your hypothesis seriously. I do know people who love what there doing and they aren't that great at what they do. They still spend all their time with it because they love it.

[TXRebelOK]

Sorry for all the grammar mistakes...I should really start proof reading my posts.

[Fallbr00kwhat]

not only that but we also need to take into consideration other social pressures that might look like they love it but actually they are masking feelings/thoughts such as fear of failure, shame and all the negative feelings they are running from in pursuit of positive rewards from honing their skill

[muzikman182]

the only way to practice something for 10,00 hours is to love it, at least in a free society.

[maharajoo]

wayne gretzky ... greatest hockey player in history ... born in january. mark messier also born in january. mario lemieux born in october. he's got some correlations, but an aspiring hockey player born in the last third or quarter of the year shouldn't just 'give up'.

[thesparitan]

actually those stats back up his story perfectly

[ericpew]

simply amazing

[serveone211]

critics of his have said he re-states the obvious in an interesting way, i.e. Blink and Tippin Point. His appeal to me has always been that there are practical applications for his statistics. perhaps why his books can be found in the business section .. When i read blink i was turning pages madly until it was over and then while relaying what i had learned to my dad her said "WELL, DUH!"

The  way to appreciate Gladwell is to enjoy his uncovering of the paradoxes right under our noses

[MisterAtoms]

This guy is a bullshit artist. First off, about midway through the video he says there is barely a difference between IQ's after the 120 mark...then goes on to say that he was astounded by the force of the man with the highest IQ's intellect.

Further, he spent time early on trying to convince us that the talent of the Beatles and Mozart can be explained by their 10,000 hours of practice...yet when pressed on the issue at the end he gives in and says that they possess "magic."

What a joke.

[Fallbr00kwhat]

I promise you this guy is not a bullshit artist. Hes an extremely intelligent JOURNALIST. Non of these ideas are his. He simply researches interesting things and connects the dots accordingly. there is 2 sides to every story and if you cant grasp that his work will frustrate you. your throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Anyone that spends 10,000 hours on anything is going to possess magic. The man he was astounded by was retarded in some aspects. message me and ill send you the book pdf

[muzikman182]

Malcolm was being a little bit sarcastic in saying magic.

[thesparitan]

this is because you were simple not listening

[conzatorium]

I like what Malcolm Gladwell writes although I find it a maddening survey of inconclusive stuff and [I nearly hope] neither suggests next actions for how an individual might lead one's life nor application for policy. as he says, "throw a dart." One could say the crofting Scots of the 18th c. who developed mills and the steam engine were that much more inventive than South-China rice growers; to say whether rest or constant industry does anything for a single individual or a population, well ...

[muzikman182]

He is a journalist who present facts that most people overlook, not a self-help writer.

[conzatorium]

The application of statistics between random variables across massive and longitudinal lives of people makes for an entertaining kaleidoscope of stuff ... sometimes I think his tack is to say something true that contradicts the thing before; after reading Blink, I thought perhaps I should go back and prioritize the ideas into a proper nesting -- I read his bibliography and found Gary Klein's work very helpful re: the manifold worth of stories and how to organize for decisions.

[conzatorium]

Take a slice-plane thru a pool of particles exibiting Brownian motion and set them into a bell-curve. The Big Lebowski. Good Will Hunting, where the point was not maximizing achievement but exercising one's will. Try Lillian Rubin, Worlds of Pain, Judith Herman's seminal book, Alice Miller. To work one's way out of C-PTSD is to cast off the manifold damage of early introjects, to pursue one's own inquiries, to finally be let free, maybe let alone, not biding by another's will. Time displacement.

[cnuque76]

He's a fascinating man. My only disagreement with him is on his comment about reading. Yes, reading as a skill doesn't get better an better over time, but a child who has read at 2 1/2 years old vs. a child that read at 4 has decoded more things on his/her own thereby learning more and have had more processed 1 1/2 years more of information. I guess by his definition of the 10,000 hrs. achieved, that child is ahead.

[008fox]

Well, yes. That is to say, this child is ahead as long as they continue to read at or above the rate that they are reading when they began @ 2 1/2.

[008fox]

What an interesting man, that Gladwell.

My hero for 2009.

[phatcorns]

4:40 hahaha, laugh my ass off!

[megsaari]

Is this like...2009 recent? Thanks for this, Malcolm Gladwell is a hero of mine and when he appeared on 92nd Street Y last year (2008) I had never heard of the show and now I love it and Robert!

[jijesh]

Thanks a lot for sharing this. Robert is a very engaging interviewer.

[wckdgfy]

Really fascinating. I enjoyed.

[joh3]

I so miss city life. Thanks.