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.