TOW #4- The Tipping Point

      Malcolm Gladwell is a best-selling author as well as a phenomenal speaker; He is known for books such as Blink and Outliers. A common pattern within his books is the study of the mind, its function, and the ways of psychology, and how it is used in present day society. In The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Male a Big Difference Gladwell basically demonstrates how a "trend" becomes a trend. He quickly starts off with what actually makes society love a trend or not, and the process it goes through; as well as supplies the readers with the three rules of the tipping point. Obviously, since this novel pertains to psychology it would probably be great for anyone in the psychology field per se, but it can also serve the purpose to educate various readers on the simple decisions we make, as well as the power we hold for trending items. That being said, his purpose can really vary and be interpreted many ways. As of right now, Gladwell is illustrating the powers that society holds, and how even the smallest decisions can lead to the largest effect. Essentially, how a social trend takes off, like previously stated. Along with his charming insight he uses a variety of several rhetorical devices that further justify his purpose. Gladwell uses the simple rhetorical strategies of exemplification, incredible amounts of logos, outstanding tone, etc. Gladwell writes "When we say that a handful of East Village kids started the Hush Puppies epidemic, or the scattering of the residents of few housing projects was sufficient to to start Baltimore's syphilis epidemic, what we are really saying is that in a given process or system some people matter more than others." (19) not only can the readers get a sense for his honest tone, but they also see his use of logos. Gladwell constantly refers to historical events or places whether it be Paul Revere or the invention of Sesame Street.