The Tipping Point

CHAPTER 5

1.     How did the Ya-Ya Sisterhood tip?

The Ya-Ya Sisterhood was a word-of-mouth epidemic in that the book “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” spoke to relationships between mothers and daughters.  It tipped because it soon became ‘the book’ to use with book study groups.  It goes to show that close knit groups have the power to magnify the potential of a message.

2.     What is channel capacity?

Channel capacity is the amount of space in our brain for certain kinds of information.  It seems that we can handle at least 6 categories before becoming overwhelmed.  We have a channel capacity for intellectual information as well as a channel capacity for feelings too.

3.     What is Robin Dunbar’s argument about brain evolution?

Robin Dunbar maintains that we are the only animals with brains large enough to handle the complexities of a social arrangement.  If we belong to a group of 5 people that means 10 relationships.  He states that the  maximum number of individuals we can have a genuinely social relationship with is 150 people.  These are people we know and we know how they think and react in situations.

4.     What is the Rule of 150 and how do Gladwell’s examples support the

validity of this rule?

          The Rule of 150 is the maximum number of people we can

          work with or socialize with and still know them well enough to

          know what they are thinking and how to encourage each other

          to excel. Gladwell’s examples of the musical tones, the

          sweetened ice tea, and the phone numbers  all denote our

          ability to absorb just so much. 

5.     How did Gore become and stay so successful as a business?

Gore became successful because he was keenly aware that

when the parking lot got full, then it was time to create a new

facility for the company.  In his business everyone was considered an associate.  Peer pressure was more powerful

than a boss.  In Gore’s business it was a goal of how to be the best and to be the most innovative.

     6.  Is Gore Associates a company more businesses should model?   Do

          you think we’d see less corruption and job dissatisfaction if more

          companies subscribed to the Rule of 150 and Gore Associates’

          philosophy?

                   Yes, I think it would be wonderful if more companies followed      

                   the Gore Associates model.  For a company to be sensitive to

                   the employees well-being would possibly keep companies

                   striving together to be the best.  The employees could possibly

                   relate and support one another and make the workplace more

                   unified.

6.     What is transactive memory?  Do you believe in the idea of family

memory sharing?  Examine  your own family and see if the process

holds true.

          Transactive memory research was done by Wegner at the

          University of Virginia.  He states that when people know

          each other well, they create a joint memory system between

          themselves.  A pair of people knows which one is the best

          for remembering certain things. 

          In my family, my mother and father seemed to recall things

          equally well. We (the 4 kids)  looked to them for dates,

          details of occasions, and trips taken.  Since my mother has

          been gone, my 104 year old dad still can recount things that

          happened in the 1930’s like it was yesterday.  I have noticed

          my oldest brother remembers dates well, and another brother

          remembers the traveling, and I seem to remember the family

          memories.  My husband and I get tickled because I remember

          faces and he remembers names and numbers.

7.     Take Gladwell’s quiz:  List all the people you know whose death

would leave you devastated.  Does your list fall in line with Gladwell’s assumption about groups and time?

          Yes, my list falls in line with Gladwell’s thoughts about

          time spent with the people on my list.  Our grandson having

          surgery twice since January, a daughter getting married, and

          losing a loved one brings my list of family very close.

8.     Think of groups you belong or belonged to.  Do they fit into the

Rule of 150?  Describe each group’s dynamics.  Would each group

function better if it followed the Rule of 150?

          One group I belonged to was a book group with about 30

          members.  That was almost too many to get to know each

          person and know what they think and be able to share

          common thoughts or situations.  Also, not everyone came

          consistently so it was a different group each time.  The

          group dynamics were not as pleasing at times.  If the numbers

          were fewer it would have been a  more likeable group.

          I belonged to an oil painting class at one time and there were

          only eight of us.  We met weekly with a guest artist for an

          8 week class.  I got to know those ladies so well, and we shared

          our lives with each other.  I still think of the little bits of history

          or practical tips we gave each other.  One of the ladies was in

          her late 70’s and became ill.  Her family opened up her

          portfolio of paintings to let us have our choice.  Surprisingly,

          there was one that caught my eye….one that was so unlike

          her usual roses or landscapes.  It was like knowing her in

          a new way.