Where do you think the world would be if people like Bill Joy, Albert Einstein, or Bill Gates had never been given the opportunity to excel in their fields of expertise? The world very well may have been a different place, with no understanding of the atomic theory, computer programming, and no high speed personal computers. Their expertise and contributions to today's modern society were all developed out of chance and opportunity. Though many people view the key to success as grit and determination, others believe that the real truth behind those people we view as successful is opportunity. Among those people is well known Canadian author and journalist Malcom Gladwell. In his book, "Outliers, The Story of Success", Gladwell assesses the
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If someone can not afford to go to college, they may not be able to speak and display the intelligent things that are going on in their mind. The example of Robert Oppenheimer is perfect to show contrast between himself and Chris Langan. While Langan grew up in poverty, Oppenheimer was well versed in the upper strands of social society. He was well affiliated with people and organizations that would finance his genius. Even his father was a man who had become financially important in the economic realms of the nation, or as Gladwell states, "someone whose father has made his way up in the business world" (Gladwell, 109). This shows stark contrast to the lacking of opportunities faced by Chris Langan. Later in the book, Gladwell compares the financial issues from Langan to the exceedingly accessible funds of Robert Oppenheimer, and how the tables could have turned if the scenarios were opposite. Langan's brother contributes to Gladwell’s beliefs as he states "'If Christopher had been born into a wealthy family, if he was the son of a doctor who was well connected in some major market, I guarantee you he would have been on of those guys you read about", referring to all the other socially known geniuses (Gladwell, 23). It is well known in today’s society that people with money can buy their way to success, but these people are not the ones who have truly earned their success, rather the ones who bought the title. It is the people who have worked and spent numerous hours to their dedicated field who are the ones who contribute to the traditional idea of success. However it is often so difficult that many people give up on their goals due to the lack of monetary funds. The opportunity given to people through monetary expenses is truly influential and may be frustrating to many people, but it is one that we face in all too
If someone can not afford to go to college, they may not be able to speak and display the intelligent things that are going on in their mind. The example of Robert Oppenheimer is perfect to show contrast between himself and Chris Langan. While Langan grew up in poverty, Oppenheimer was well versed in the upper strands of social society. He was well affiliated with people and organizations that would finance his genius. Even his father was a man who had become financially important in the economic realms of the nation, or as Gladwell states, "someone whose father has made his way up in the business world" (Gladwell, 109). This shows stark contrast to the lacking of opportunities faced by Chris Langan. Later in the book, Gladwell compares the financial issues from Langan to the exceedingly accessible funds of Robert Oppenheimer, and how the tables could have turned if the scenarios were opposite. Langan's brother contributes to Gladwell’s beliefs as he states "'If Christopher had been born into a wealthy family, if he was the son of a doctor who was well connected in some major market, I guarantee you he would have been on of those guys you read about", referring to all the other socially known geniuses (Gladwell, 23). It is well known in today’s society that people with money can buy their way to success, but these people are not the ones who have truly earned their success, rather the ones who bought the title. It is the people who have worked and spent numerous hours to their dedicated field who are the ones who contribute to the traditional idea of success. However it is often so difficult that many people give up on their goals due to the lack of monetary funds. The opportunity given to people through monetary expenses is truly influential and may be frustrating to many people, but it is one that we face in all too