Comments on: Outliers: The Story of Success – An Issue of Semantics http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/outliers-the-story-of-success-an-issue-of-semantics/ life design matters | Journal & Club Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:31:51 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Nathan Zeldes http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/outliers-the-story-of-success-an-issue-of-semantics/comment-page-1/#comment-1265 Nathan Zeldes Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:59:16 +0000 http://www.whakate.com/?p=1008#comment-1265 Agreed, it's a very pleasant read (listen, in my case - the audio version is very well narrated by the author). And agreed, it isn't a rigorous scientific book, more a collection of generalizations from numerous anecdotes. The advantage is that it shares some interesting data you would not normally have known; what to do with the data remains the responsibility of the reader - isn't it always, though? My own gripe is that it seems to gloss over the differences between necessary and sufficient conditions for success. That's where the difference between total predestination and the promise of self-improvement sits, after all. But this merely makes it more thought provoking, since you have to figure out for yourself what to make of it all... Agreed, it’s a very pleasant read (listen, in my case – the audio version is very well narrated by the author).

And agreed, it isn’t a rigorous scientific book, more a collection of generalizations from numerous anecdotes. The advantage is that it shares some interesting data you would not normally have known; what to do with the data remains the responsibility of the reader – isn’t it always, though?

My own gripe is that it seems to gloss over the differences between necessary and sufficient conditions for success. That’s where the difference between total predestination and the promise of self-improvement sits, after all. But this merely makes it more thought provoking, since you have to figure out for yourself what to make of it all…

]]> By: riscario http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/outliers-the-story-of-success-an-issue-of-semantics/comment-page-1/#comment-1264 riscario Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:31:49 +0000 http://www.whakate.com/?p=1008#comment-1264 Interesting points. The book is certainly enjoyable and does make you think. As a family, we listened to the audiobook (which Gladwell reads) . While there is no step-by-step recipe for success, I found the book inspiring. While the successful had help along the way (like Steve Jobs asking Bill Packard for computer parts ... and getting them), they also prepared/rehearsed/practiced. Success = Preparation + Opportunity That's not the only formula. As you note, Style + Luck can also work. Thanks for your summary. Interesting points. The book is certainly enjoyable and does make you think. As a family, we listened to the audiobook (which Gladwell reads) . While there is no step-by-step recipe for success, I found the book inspiring. While the successful had help along the way (like Steve Jobs asking Bill Packard for computer parts … and getting them), they also prepared/rehearsed/practiced.

Success = Preparation + Opportunity

That’s not the only formula. As you note, Style + Luck can also work. Thanks for your summary.

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