The Educated Imagination

Thursday, December 8, 2011

What the dog saw by Malcolm Gladwell

1 comment:

  1. What the Dog Saw
    Review
    Malcolm Gladwell’s anthology “What the Dog Saw” is a welcome addition to his resume. I have read some of his previous publications, “Blink” and “The Tipping Point,” and always admire his ability to find a story in the seemingly mundane, and to find sociological implications that are both creative and relevant. His writing style is very engaging, as he often uses several stories or anecdotes to prove and contrast his arguments.
    “What the Dog Saw” is a compilation of essays Gladwell had written for The New Yorker, covering topics ranging from hair dye to criminology. The arguments and conclusions he arrives at are very interesting, as he seems to think like no one else. He genuinely believes everything has a story, and is able to learn so much about human nature from the smallest things. He draws connections to everything, different cases, science, events early in an individuals life, one’s heritage. These are things most of us would overlook in research, however to Gladwell those are some of the most important pieces of information. At the core of it, his writing looks at nature vs. nurture, and makes arguments for both, depending on the context.
    Some of the essays include the titular What the Dog Saw, about the ‘Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan, and how his body language affects the dog so greatly, and True Colors, analyzing marketing strategy’s for women’s hair color. These examples alone showcase how diverse the topics in “What the Dog Saw” are, and also how things we encounter every day, but never notice, have very important, very specific, social implications.
    As for the writing style, I believe Gladwell organized his arguments very well. He uses a great amount of detail and precedent to communicate ideas, so in the hands of a less adept writer the essays would be very confusing. Gladwell’s writing is very engaging, as he strikes the perfect balance between academic and casual.
    In conclusion, Malcolm Gladwell has published another fantastic anthology, drawing fascinating conclusions from the everyday. His writing is comprehensive, yet highly intelligent, and the content of the essays themselves is extremely captivating. After reading, one looks at the world differently, with a new awareness. Everything we say and see has greater implications, and has been so clearly defined by our actions and environment. “What the Dog Saw” not only makes excellent arguments, but makes the reader more appreciative and thankful of their surroundings, and of the people and places they pass on the street.

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