The Law of the Few

Gladwell's concept of "The Law of the Few" in his book The Tipping Point is a valid one.  He backs up his "Law" with many examples that have occurred throughout history.  These examples demonstrate how certain individuals (the few) have had huge impacts on the whole. The way in which he continues, and I understand his point is that (I believe it is peculiar but true) 20% of the population are basically the connectors to the rest.  That is 20% share, spread, enjoy, show great enthusiasm, are expressive and love to be around other people, to name a few of their personality traits.  Gladwell notes that some the connectors include, Paul Revere, Rod Steiger, Roger Horchow, and Mark Alpert, to name a few.  He demonstrates how they connect with the world and he explains how they are all similar in that they truly enjoy being around other people and in that they immensely enjoy helping out their neighbors. They are personable and altruistic.

Stanley Milgram's psychological experiment in which he queried individuals and their connections by way of a random list of  surnames further aides in backing up Malcolm Gladwell's theory of "The Law of the Few".  Milgram's simple test was designed to see how many acquaintances an individual has.  It is directly connected to how social an individual is.  Gladwell points out that the more social an individual, the better connections that individual has.  The better connections a person has, the more influence.  The more influence, the greater impact on society for change.

I believe that "The Law of the Few" impacts my educational practice because I am a connector.  I actually learned this, and pondered this, after taking the Milgram surname test.  I am indeed social.  I am a planner and I am a doer.  I have a very large circle of close friends, high school, softball, our family camp, at school, with my current employment, with my past employment and beyond.  Being a connector, I believe, is a large part of the reason that I am content with teaching and working to help others each and every day.  Indeed, I have often said to my supervisor and co-workers that "I never dread having to come to work".  I love what I do and the students with whom I work.

It was interesting to read Gladwell's theories and it was interesting to learn more about myself in doing so.  It seems that connectors help to make the world go 'round.  "The Law of the Few" is all about those connectors and how and why they exist in this world.

About Me

Hello.  I teach computer class to all 6th graders at Barre City Elementary and Middle School (100+ students).  I also teach library classes for kindergartners (98 students).  In addition to reading fun-filled books, wearing funny hats and costumes is something I am known for!  I teach because I love kids and I want to have a positive impact on them.  I believe that I do impact them positively.  I expect nothing but the best from my students.  My favorite saying is "can't is not a word".  I truly believe we all can if we try.  How we all get to "can" as individuals varies, of course.

I am married and I have two fabulous children.  We are blessed with a son who is a Senior and a daughter who is a Junior.  They are great kids and super students! We do almost everything together as a family.  It's amazing but even though they are in high school they still like to be with us!

I cook - all of the time.  I love to cook and am known for concocting endless recipes on my own.  In my spare time I love to read, play softball, garden, go camping and swimming....I love the outdoors!  One of my favorite places in Vermont is our family camp at Peacham Pond.

Traveling is great.  I have been to many places but never to Europe, and I want to go there!  I have been to several islands - Barbados, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, The Keys, Cozumel and St. Croix.  (Can you tell that I love the tropics?)  I have also been to Canada (many times), and all over the U.S. ..... but never to Europe.  It is so expensive to travel and I fear I may be very old before I get there.  My favorite islands are Barbados and St. Croix. My travel days were mainly in my "other life" when I was the Executive Director of the Vermont Psychological Association (15 years).  Teaching was a big change, and a choice that I am glad that I made but it sure doesn't pay well.

I am enjoying the class I am currently taking, "Goin Google",  with Linda McSweeney.  I'm learning more and more about the wonderful world of computers.  She got me going on this blog business and it's pretty cool stuff.

Thanks for visiting!

This Day in History

September 28, 1918 - This Day in History

A Liberty Loan parade in Philadelphia aided in the spread of the flu epidemic. When the epidemic ended, 30 million people were dead.

Comments on The Tipping Point

Gladwell highlights several historic moments in time in the book The Tipping Point; from epidemics to famous advertisement campaigns.  He claims that three rules "1) the law of the few; 2) the stickiness factor and 3) the power of context" may provide a way to understand how crime, bestselling books, fads and state-of-the-art technology, for examples, shape the world that we live in.