Friday, March 10, 2023

how disappointing

I thought Malcolm Gladwell was supposed to be some kind of genius. He's the guy who popularized the "10,000 hours to become an expert in anything" idea. Turns out he's a woke idiot like the rest of them, with shitty debating skills to boot.





4 comments:

Charles said...

But it's pretty common knowledge that the 10,000-hour rule is a gross simplification at best, and just flat out wrong at worst, isn't it?

I think he has some good ideas on other topics, though. But anything that you can distill down into a "simple" rule or idea is probably wrong.

Kevin Kim said...

I'd agree it's a gross oversimplification, and I'm aware there's been pushback (see here, for example) since he popularized the "10,000-hour rule."

Does he have good ideas on other topics? After watching that video, I'd say he beclowned himself so thoroughly that he's now hard to take seriously.

Charles said...

Have you read any of his books? I wouldn't take everything he says as gospel truth, but I have come away with some things from his writing. I would have to go back and look over those books to give you details, though.

Kevin Kim said...

So! He was that memorable, eh?

I mean, I realize I risk committing the genetic fallacy here: the guy might actually have something of merit to say. But his true self was on display in that debate, which was, for me, a real window into how the guy thinks (the European debater pointed out that one of Gladwell's books' chapters was full of inaccuracies... I'd like to know more). Can't say I'm motivated to delve into his work, but sure, on an abstract, intellectual level, I suppose I could do a Wikipedia-ish survey of some of his major ideas. Just to see what he has to say. But at this point, I'm not really predisposed to view his writing friendlily.