The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes Rhetorical Analysis “Tell them we are in an emergency!” (Gladwell 193). Failure to communicate with Air Traffic Control is one of the leading causes of plane crashes worldwide. This quote explains how a Colombian co-pilot’s inherent politeness was the cause of a major airplane crash. Korean and Colombian air pilots are far more likely to cause a plane crash than Americans because of their high power-distance index rating; which means that their culture dictates that they stick to procedure regardless of the situation. Malcolm Gladwell uses mainly ethos and pathos to convey his message; he uses names of notable professors and psychologists as well as tries to make the pilots’ errors more relatable to the reader.
