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Malcolm Gladwell Questions Everything

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Mar 9, 2021

Guest

Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell, a renowned writer and journalist, joins Adam Grant for a thought-provoking conversation. They dive into the complexities of intelligence and discuss whether it's overrated compared to traits like perseverance. Their debate takes a critical turn as they address institutional racism, emphasizing the need for systemic change rather than individual blame. They also explore fresh ideas for personal growth, the evolution of emotional understanding, and the importance of humility in education and collaboration.

01:21:11

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INSIGHT

Contradicting Oneself

Malcolm Gladwell prioritizes contradicting himself to reflect intellectual growth.
He believes consistency is less important than evolving thought.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Neuroscientist on the Train

Gladwell recounts a train conversation with a neuroscientist who dismissed "Blink" after the first chapter.
Gladwell suggests this highlights a misunderstanding of his evolving argument.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Kafka and Surprise

Gladwell discusses a German study where participants' facial expressions didn't match their reported surprise.
A study of the Trobriand Islanders further challenges the universality of facial expressions.

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Evolving Perspectives on Emotion and Understanding

03:16 • 15min

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Success Beyond Intelligence

18:10 • 22min

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Confronting Institutional Racism and Practical Solutions for Modern Living

40:08 • 3min

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Rethinking Perspectives for Personal Growth

43:31 • 9min

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Simplifying Global Team Management with Innovative Solutions

52:03 • 2min

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Embracing Humility in Rethinking and Teaching

54:20 • 4min

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Rethinking Education: Empowerment and Adaptability

58:41 • 11min

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Rethinking Expertise and Values

01:10:02 • 17min

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Talking to Strangers

What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know

Malcolm Gladwell

In 'Talking to Strangers', Malcolm Gladwell delves into the challenges and misunderstandings that occur when we interact with people we do not know. The book explores various high-profile cases, such as the death of Sandra Bland, the deceptions of Bernie Madoff, and the interactions between Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler. Gladwell argues that our default assumption to trust strangers until proven otherwise often leads to disastrous outcomes. He discusses the 'default to truth' theory and how our perceptions of strangers can be skewed by preconceived notions and stereotypes. The book provides insights into human psychology and communication, highlighting the importance of being aware of our assumptions when dealing with strangers.

David and Goliath

Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

Malcolm Gladwell

In 'David and Goliath', Malcolm Gladwell challenges conventional wisdom about obstacles and disadvantages. He uses the biblical story of David and Goliath as a starting point to explore various cases where underdogs have triumphed over more powerful opponents. The book delves into topics such as the benefits of 'desirable difficulties', the impact of dyslexia on successful individuals, and the dynamics of successful and unsuccessful strategies in different contexts, including warfare, education, and social movements. Gladwell argues that what appears to be a weakness can often be a strength, and that too much power or advantage can sometimes be counterproductive.

Outliers

The Story of Success

Malcolm Gladwell

In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success. He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck. The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role. Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success. The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.

Think Again

Adam Grant

In 'Think Again', Adam Grant argues that the ability to rethink at personal, interpersonal, and collective levels is crucial in today's polarized world. He uses scientific research, personal anecdotes, and engaging stories to illustrate how people can find joy in being wrong, leverage the benefits of impostor syndrome, and cultivate environments of lifelong learning. Grant emphasizes the need to challenge our convictions, adopt a scientific mindset, and foster curiosity and humility. He provides examples of individuals who have successfully rethought their approaches, from firefighters to business leaders, and offers practical exercises for improving rethinking skills.

1984

None

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

When Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell sit down to challenge each other, everything is fair game. Sit ringside for this collegial cage match in which two preeminent writers rethink each other's ideas in an insatiable quest to get closer to the truth. Is intelligence undersold or oversold? Does individual blaming and shaming obscure the pursuit of real change on racism? Could rethinking everything lead not only to a better business but a better life? In pursuit of answers, Grant and Gladwell agree on this much: you shouldn't believe everything you think. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript4

This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now.

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