No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 146: Unabridged Interview: Malcolm Gladwell
Mar 12, 2024
In a captivating conversation, Malcolm Gladwell, the bestselling author and journalist known for his thought-provoking works, shares insights from his diverse upbringing across Jamaica, England, and Canada. He reflects on his father's influence and the curiosity sparked by Mennonite barn-raising experiences. Gladwell critiques the elitism of Ivy League schools and explores how storytelling shapes moral understanding. He also opens up about his struggles with writing, the significance of emotional narratives, and his Christian identity, making this a rich exploration of personal and societal themes.
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Good Samaritan Hitchhike
- Malcolm Gladwell got hopelessly lost running in Percy Warner Park and hitchhiked in shorts at night.
- A young woman told him she stopped because her Bible study had been on the Good Samaritan story.
Choose Which Identity Leads
- Gladwell argues people contain multiple identities and can choose which to foreground.
- He resents when others force a single identity onto someone and diminish their humanity.
Father At The Barn Raising
- Gladwell's mathematician father joined a Mennonite barn raising unselfconsciously and worked alongside them.
- That example taught Malcolm civic-minded action without worrying about social awkwardness.
