Literary Elements & Style Instead of using commas to separate “doctors and generals and coaches… ” Gladwell uses the word “and” to connect each occupation to the next, which tricks the reader into thinking that there are more occupations listed than there actually are. The same tactic is evidenced in “to shape and manage and educate… ” By stressing the prevalence and importance unconscious reactions have, the reader will more likely believe that unconscious reactions are influential.
Literary Elements & Style Gladwell uses a eye instrument-based metaphor to rephrase and reinforce a possible change in perception and consequent interpretation. This directly prompts the reader to evaluate the impact of immediate small details in the forthcoming results. Questions and Connections Why are people hesitant to behave based on their hunches– even though “trust your gut” is a common saying, (biology) says instincts are true, and reasons are not required to explain every occurrence? and How are metaphorical descriptions and general, conceptual descriptions related? What effect does each have, and what effect arises from placing a metaphor after its related concept and vice versa? Although humans tend to question our intuition–how and why does something innately and rather irrationally feel “right? ” Animals, especially in the wild, do follow their instincts because critical moments, such as an attack by a predator, is sudden, and does not allow time to reconsider what actions to take.
Coverage of Text I also am curious to know how society–macroscopically and microscopically–will change if we “go with our guts. ” Malcolm Gladwell will be a proponent of this change, and cite simplified decision making and reduced unnecessary stress as positive effects. Although I also believe people will become more carefree, I think the reluctance of being intuitive will deter this change. Literary Elements & Style Gladwell repeats “the way” and “the kinds” in his response to how society would change if we listened to our instincts.
This loose sentence accentuates perception and decision making having the largest impact on methods and resulting products, and the listing fashion (no “and” at end of list) with various “ways” and “kinds” that the reader will remember the quantity of. Literary Elements & Style The actual name of the device would have detracted from the approachable, colloquial tone and diction, and “jiggle-o-meter” is a name that explicitly matches its function. Quotations & Critical Thinking This is one example of a more convenient, functional name taking the place of the actual.
A more common one is “sleeping medicine” for general anesthesia, which is simpler to remember and understand, and we seek to simplify ideas when possible. Quotations & Critical Thinking Bill’s calm concession captures the defensive and unjustified reasons that stereotypically start martial arguments. Whether the argument is or is not stereotypical or martial, an argument does begin with a claim within an issue. Interpretation Bill and Sue did not compromise on getting a dog as they would have if they were having a baby because a dog can be returned while a child will impact the rest of his/her parents’ lives.
I find it sweet and pleasant that they are being respectful of each other, but it is also ironic that a couple with a presumably healthy marriage did not talk through a crucial event. The way Gladwell simply (in tone and diction/syntax) presents the discussion also implies these are the standard, mundane things spouses argue about. Questions and Connections Under what circumstances are “just because it is, thus it is so” reasons acceptable? Why might we give such reasons instead of thinking of a more rational one?
In Grey’s Anatomy, Meredith, the protagonist, lives with her friends and fellow residents. One day she gets a dog, and all of her house mates dislike him because the dog chews up their clothes, pees on their beds, etc. Everyone was being respectful– giving rational reasons but with emotion to convey that the dog is problematic and one character mentioned being there for Meredith when she broke up with her significant other. The dog eventually started abusing Meredith’s property so they gave the dog to her significant other (they made up after the break up).
Coverage of Text This exemplifies events when not everyone always agrees with their significant other’s interests or beliefs, but continue the relationship, which I think is romantic and cute. Nonetheless, these couples* are rather compatible. *was originally coupes Quotations & Critical Thinking This goes to say that quality does not depend on quantity. Ineffective studying for an hour, for example, may not be as constructive than fifteen minutes of prolonged concentration. Interpretation This is really impressive nonetheless and quite frankly, scary, because an hour is also not very long.
In the context of Blink, this evidence demonstrates that brief accounts are more effective (save time) than long ones. As the state of a marriage is not something easy to assess and >90 percent accuracy is impressive, this piece of information will likely persuade those rather unconvinced by Gladwell. Questions and Connections If your marriage was predicted to fail in the future, what would you do in the present? How might this situation differ from when one spouse knowing, both spouses knowing but unaware of the other knowing, and both knowing the other is aware?
What is/are the most influential factors that create the function and quality of a marriage? Why would or would not you want to know if your marriage will be sustained? Although marriages change, as jobs, homes, and people change, most changes are not drastic to the extent where an unhealthy marriage becomes healthy; A couple that can never agree/ compromise on what movie to see, what pet to get, where to travel, will probably still argue whether they have more money or such. Also, adults’ temperaments are stagnant. Quotations and Critical Thinking This generally applies to all collaborative, substantive tasks.
People don’t like others who refuse to share or acknowledge, and definitely not when it is ethically right to do so. Also when doing a group project and someone does not do his/her part asked to, that would result in a bad grade or a risk of unemployment. Interpretation In addition to the meaning above, when people hog control, I haven’t heard of anyone who perceived it as rude (I think most common adjective would probably be frustrating or difficult). However, when you greet an acquaintance or ask a stranger what the time is and get no reply, it is considered disrespectful.
In group work and marriages, one is definitely aware of the others, but instead of being briefly irritated, one becomes frustrated and angry. In a marriage, the parties agree to care for one another, which entails respecting one another. With this connection, I now realize why the requests are approved, and the reaction is of feeling, which shadows and suppresses thinking. Coverage of Text I whole-heartedly agree. I think group work can be a little timeinefficient, but being reassured and joking around are nice.
There have been times when one person (including myself) obsessively controls the collaboration and I would long to do more work on my own because I don’t want to waste time and ruin my mood with the contention that has no resolution. It is particularly counterintuitive, ironic, strange, and unwise if partners are up for one’s choosing and one distrusts the other. Questions and Connections What characteristics/virtues define healthy and unhealthy relationships (i. e. maturity, collaboration) What makes people unwilling to collaborate and change? What role does immaturity play in this scenario.
What would a marriage with minimal opposition and support look like? Why did Gladwell quote and use the particular words “uh-huh” and “yeah? ‘ My mom often tells my dad he doesn’t appreciate her because she does acknowledge my dad spending most of his time working, and sleeping at 2 am, but my dad does not acknowledge my mom working outside the home and inside, withstanding that she does domestic work for the vast majority of the time she is home. Interpretation Although Gladwell acknowledges that the first option is the one to take, I would much rather pursue the second option, even before I read Blink.
I think that the first one is too demanding and ineffective as it takes a year to find the right employee, and I know that the state of applicant’s home will be similar to the state of the applicant’s workplace. Also, the potential of hiring a friend rather than a stranger/candidate will create bias and a strange friendship. Coverage of Text I think most employees would politely tell their employer that the first option is quite demanding and ask that it would be reduced to six months, or once a week. However, I think this is a fun way to evaluate a person’s habits and interests.
