In Chapters 3 and 4, “Trouble with Geniuses”, Gladwell argues, “extraordinary achievement is less about talent than it is about opportunity” (76). Gladwell targets his audience by introducing Chris Langan, an individual that we may recognize and relate to since he has been on television news and game shows as well as in magazines throughout the last decade. He is “the public face of genius in American life, a celebrity outlier and one that “many call the smartest man in America” (Gladwell 70). Although Langan has an IQ of 195, he does not become the success that one would expect. Gladwell indicates that Langan’s early misfortunes and misguidance crippled him from reaching his full potential. According to Galdwell, ‘the relationship between
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“To have a high IQ, you tend to specialize, think deep thoughts. You avoid trivia” (Gladwell 70) Langran had the misfortune of a broken family and what appear to be dismissive educators. Although innately intelligent, Langan lacks practical intelligence (what Langran may consider as trivia). Could it be possible had Langan simply known how to seek the help he needed that he could have prevailed? Had he the go-getter attitude and “social savvy” that would’ve allowed him to “know what to say to whom, known when to say it, and know how to say it for maximum effect” afforded him the possibility to succeed (Gladwell 101)? Gladwell argues that the answer is yes because practical intelligence is learned within a supportive environment, which is most likely provided by our families.
Gladwell’s “The Trouble with Geniuses” gives me hope that extraordinary success is still within reach for many of us. He dispels the belief that success is set-aside solely for the best and brightest by proving that other factors must be acquired to achieve this goal. I agree with his theory and believe that we should teach parents and educations how to nurture a child’s curiosity and creativity because IQ alone is not sufficient to propel an individual to
“To have a high IQ, you tend to specialize, think deep thoughts. You avoid trivia” (Gladwell 70) Langran had the misfortune of a broken family and what appear to be dismissive educators. Although innately intelligent, Langan lacks practical intelligence (what Langran may consider as trivia). Could it be possible had Langan simply known how to seek the help he needed that he could have prevailed? Had he the go-getter attitude and “social savvy” that would’ve allowed him to “know what to say to whom, known when to say it, and know how to say it for maximum effect” afforded him the possibility to succeed (Gladwell 101)? Gladwell argues that the answer is yes because practical intelligence is learned within a supportive environment, which is most likely provided by our families.
Gladwell’s “The Trouble with Geniuses” gives me hope that extraordinary success is still within reach for many of us. He dispels the belief that success is set-aside solely for the best and brightest by proving that other factors must be acquired to achieve this goal. I agree with his theory and believe that we should teach parents and educations how to nurture a child’s curiosity and creativity because IQ alone is not sufficient to propel an individual to