Friday, February 19, 2010

Tipping Point

A world that follows the rules of epidemics is a very different place from the world we think we live in now.

Think, for a moment, about the concept of contagiousness. If I say that word to you, you think of colds and the flu, or perhaps something very dangerous like HIV or Ebola. We have, in our minds, a very specific, biological notion of what contagiousness means. But if there can be epidemics of crime or epidemics of fashion, there must be all kinds of things just as contagious as viruses.

Have you ever though about yawning, for instance? Yawning is a surprisingly powerful act. Just because you read the word "yawning" in the previous two sentences - and the two additional "yawns" in this sentence - a good number of you will probably yawn within the next few minutes.

Even as I am writing this, I've yawned twice. If you're reading this in a public place, and you've just yawned, chances are that a good proportion of everyone who saw you yawn is now yawning too, and a good proportion of the people watching the people who watched you yawn are now yawning as well, and on and on, in an ever widening yawning circle.

Footnotes:

Excerpts from the acclaimed Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, which is a highly intelligent and articulate account of how little things can make a big difference!

For those of you who are interested in understanding trends and the undercurrents that make them as powerful as shockwaves of an earthquake, this is the book to get hold of!

So, what really, is the Tipping Point?

21 comments:

  1. I have always wondered the whole concept behind yawning !!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. interseting
    yawning is indeed a social stimulus!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Could completely relate to the yawing 'infection'... :)
    have experienced it so many times...
    And this book, high time I got hold of it. Had read his Blink; that was really good. All his books are brilliant I guess...
    Thanks for sharing mate...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with you. "Yawn" is highly contagious. I have been part of this while driving my vehicle when I see a passerby yawns, I too follow him.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hate seeing "yawners"

    Luckily that contagion doesn't affect me....for my grandmother's training...she says girls shouldn't yawn! :)

    But then, I am so used to deep breaths...and they say my laughter is contagious :)

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  6. "For those of you who are interested in understanding trends and the undercurrents that make them as powerful as shockwaves of an earthquake, this is the book to get hold of!"

    And you are planning to be "powerful"??

    Now I know why the child is you is lost for most of the time....The whole quesion of life and happiness is do you want your heart to weild power or do you want it to laugh like a child! :)

    I keep off from such books...and am happy for that...when you send the next shock wave let me know in advance :)))

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have read this book and it certainly got my attention.

    Looking at the examples given in the book, one can very well predict the trends and the causes behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. i hate to see people yawn but myself i love to yawn while writting im still yawning as you said

    ReplyDelete
  9. YAAAWWWNNNNNNN!!!!

    heheh I will definitely buy this book Rak....
    YAAAAWWWNNNN!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think we yawn al sometimes the whole day ....... LOL
    I never heard from this book !!!

    Have a wonderful weekend :-)
    Kareltje =^.^=
    Anya :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting...and true...I think I must get hold of this book. Thanks for the introduction.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Vimmuuu

    Me too! And I yawn in between thoughts! :0

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  13. Issam

    Do get this book! It sure is a very good read! And outlines very interesting facts about trends and how they come into being!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rajesh

    Funny right, how the action of another can cause us to follow suit?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  15. Devika Chechi

    Yeah, its not too nice to see someone yawning and much worse, to hear someone do it!

    But I miss not a chance to yawn, minus the sound!

    Oh no, about the book, I was talking about how well it outlines the manner in which trends are made..... and the word powerful was for the book and not for me!

    I don't wanna be powerful.....I just wanna be happy! Plain old happy!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  16. Survivor

    This surely is a fabulous book - No doubts!

    Am bowled over by it!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sleeping Beauty

    Me too! I don't like seeing a person yawn, but I'd yawn endlessly thru the day ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  18. Shahid

    You must! Definitely a good read!

    Now now......don't make me yawn! :)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anya

    Me too! I feel a lot relieved after a yawn! Maybe its an emotional release too!

    And this book, is a must read!

    I hope you and your lil kitty had a nice weekend!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  20. Saji

    Please do get this book! Not only is it a good book, it's a must have on person too!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete