In Malcolm Gladwell’s non-fictional book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants he carefully utilizes anecdotes, studies, charts, and research to analyze, “...What happens when ordinary people confront giants” (Gladwell 5). He takes the original Biblical story of David and Goliath and breaks down each side to certain advantages and disadvantages. Anyone who knows this story may make the mistake of assuming that this story's about the weak beating the powerful. The vulnerable one in this case will be Goliath, a slow, stagarring, and half blind giant (14). A common theme can be followed throughout his book, where the strong giants are often surprisingly weak and those who seem to be weak underdogs turn out to be
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Part one of David and Goliath resorts to the idea of what one assumes to be an advantage actually becomes the disadvantage. The stories of Vivek Ranadive, Teresa DeBrito, and Caroline Sacks overlap on the same problem that, “We have a definition in our heads of what an advantage is–and the definition isn't right” (93). The author never fails to provide scientific and statistical evidence about the weak against the strong. To bring one example, he mentions the inverted “U-Curve” (52) to explain his theory of having too much or too little, and how finding the, “ flat middle” (54) is ideal. “...We are so often confused about advantages and disadvantages…that we forget we are operating in a U-shaped world” (52). The visual presentation of the graph helps the audience recognize that the left side will be beneficial by having more while the right side is worse off by having too much (54). Gladwell connects this chart to Caroline Sacks situation in chapter three where, “We strive for the best and attach great importance” (68) to a subject matter but rarely ever stop to consider if the best will be the cause of making a position worse (68). By misunderstanding our advantages and disadvantage we put ourselves to risk of losing to giants (93). Another comparison draws from the Little Fish in the Big Pond and the Big Fish in a Little Pond example of what seems favorable will not always be …show more content…
She does well in school and becomes motivated to get into an Ivy League school, assuming the full advantages will be in her favor (71). However, the disadvantages are hidden. She ends up being a Little Fish in a Big Pond, feels unintelligent and competitive by comparing herself to others (75). Although, If she went to a Small State College, she would have felt amazing with straight A’s and a 4.00 GPA, being the Big Fish in the Little Pond. Gladwell supports his argument with a variation of data with a common trend by comparing a variety of diverse schools, from the highest ratings to the lowest (82-89). To counter argue Gladwell’s stance, he seems to miss a concealed advantage within the hidden disadvantage. How will Sacks learn a crucial lesson if she went to a small State College? In order to succeed means that failing will be part of the process. If she remains unchallenged throughout her schooling then her disadvantages double (if she is attending an Ivy League school). “The inverted U-Curve reminds us that there is a point” where a, “...Resource stop[s] making our lives better and start making them worse” (69). Again, finding that ideal middle split of what the chart considers to be a balanced equation. If one stays aware of their surroundings and resources, then locating giants becomes much easier to prepare
Part one of David and Goliath resorts to the idea of what one assumes to be an advantage actually becomes the disadvantage. The stories of Vivek Ranadive, Teresa DeBrito, and Caroline Sacks overlap on the same problem that, “We have a definition in our heads of what an advantage is–and the definition isn't right” (93). The author never fails to provide scientific and statistical evidence about the weak against the strong. To bring one example, he mentions the inverted “U-Curve” (52) to explain his theory of having too much or too little, and how finding the, “ flat middle” (54) is ideal. “...We are so often confused about advantages and disadvantages…that we forget we are operating in a U-shaped world” (52). The visual presentation of the graph helps the audience recognize that the left side will be beneficial by having more while the right side is worse off by having too much (54). Gladwell connects this chart to Caroline Sacks situation in chapter three where, “We strive for the best and attach great importance” (68) to a subject matter but rarely ever stop to consider if the best will be the cause of making a position worse (68). By misunderstanding our advantages and disadvantage we put ourselves to risk of losing to giants (93). Another comparison draws from the Little Fish in the Big Pond and the Big Fish in a Little Pond example of what seems favorable will not always be …show more content…
She does well in school and becomes motivated to get into an Ivy League school, assuming the full advantages will be in her favor (71). However, the disadvantages are hidden. She ends up being a Little Fish in a Big Pond, feels unintelligent and competitive by comparing herself to others (75). Although, If she went to a Small State College, she would have felt amazing with straight A’s and a 4.00 GPA, being the Big Fish in the Little Pond. Gladwell supports his argument with a variation of data with a common trend by comparing a variety of diverse schools, from the highest ratings to the lowest (82-89). To counter argue Gladwell’s stance, he seems to miss a concealed advantage within the hidden disadvantage. How will Sacks learn a crucial lesson if she went to a small State College? In order to succeed means that failing will be part of the process. If she remains unchallenged throughout her schooling then her disadvantages double (if she is attending an Ivy League school). “The inverted U-Curve reminds us that there is a point” where a, “...Resource stop[s] making our lives better and start making them worse” (69). Again, finding that ideal middle split of what the chart considers to be a balanced equation. If one stays aware of their surroundings and resources, then locating giants becomes much easier to prepare