Success's Path To Success In Outliers, By George Gladwell
In his book, Outliers, Gladwell’s claim that success is determined as a result of one’s opportunities, legacy, and their ability to capitalize on them is valid and holds its weight when closely examined. Gladwell’s sub-claim in the first half of Outliers that the time an individual or individuals chooses to puts into a certain activity when given the chance to is what ultimately determines mastery of that skill is seen prevalently in society. He substantiates this claim by examining numerous success stories including that of Bill Gates, showing that his triumph of the tech industry came as a result of opportunities and Gates’ ability to seize them, “...he was presented with an… extraordinary series of opportunities… They gave Bill Gates extra
…show more content…
Gladwell’s example examines the relationship between rice farming in China and the innate ability for contemporary Chinese math students to succeed, the reason being the great work ethic required and developed in both activities, “Working really hard is what successful people do, and the genius of the culture formed in the rice paddies is that hard work gave those in the fields a way to mind meaning… that lesson has served Asians well in many endeavors but rarely so perfectly as in the case of mathematics.” (Gladwell 239). An equally unique culture is that of the state of Texas, which has developed a legacy centered around stubborn determination and grit, having famously participated in two of the United States’ most significant losing conflicts (The Alamo and the Civil War) and afterward being called the home of hardworking long-drive cowboys and cattle herders. Just as the Chinese are made to be superior in math, the Texan is propelled to succeed in athletics as a result of their cultural legacy. If Texas were an independent country, it would have earned the third most gold medals and the eight most overall medals at the 2016 Olympic games, more than all the other states in America combined. It’s no coincidence that the importance of sports and athleticism is held in high regard in nearly all Texan households as a result of the state’s rich history of overcoming insurmountable odds that athletics perfectly symbolizes. The choice to pursue this specific discipline is one that as Gladwell suggests, can be traced back to the cultural legacy of the
Gladwell’s example examines the relationship between rice farming in China and the innate ability for contemporary Chinese math students to succeed, the reason being the great work ethic required and developed in both activities, “Working really hard is what successful people do, and the genius of the culture formed in the rice paddies is that hard work gave those in the fields a way to mind meaning… that lesson has served Asians well in many endeavors but rarely so perfectly as in the case of mathematics.” (Gladwell 239). An equally unique culture is that of the state of Texas, which has developed a legacy centered around stubborn determination and grit, having famously participated in two of the United States’ most significant losing conflicts (The Alamo and the Civil War) and afterward being called the home of hardworking long-drive cowboys and cattle herders. Just as the Chinese are made to be superior in math, the Texan is propelled to succeed in athletics as a result of their cultural legacy. If Texas were an independent country, it would have earned the third most gold medals and the eight most overall medals at the 2016 Olympic games, more than all the other states in America combined. It’s no coincidence that the importance of sports and athleticism is held in high regard in nearly all Texan households as a result of the state’s rich history of overcoming insurmountable odds that athletics perfectly symbolizes. The choice to pursue this specific discipline is one that as Gladwell suggests, can be traced back to the cultural legacy of the