Discussion Question for Chapter 9: Marita’s Bargain, (p. 250 – 269)

Do you agree or disagree with Gladwell’s assertion that an extended school year would make students from urban schools more likely to succeed? Also, Gladwell states that Marita made a bargain, and that it was a good bargain. Do you think Marita made the right decision to sign up for the KIPP school?

Discussion Question for Chapter 4: The Trouble With Geniuses, Part 2 (p. 91-115)

Gladwell clearly states his main argument in this chapter when he concludes, “No one–not rock stars, not professional athletes, not software billionaires, and not even geniuses–ever makes it alone.” As people who were selected to be in the honors book club, you are doing better than most of your peers. And, if Gladwell’s theory is correct, then there must be someone helping you, whether it be a family member, friend, or some other person in your life. Who is supporting you as a student and as a person?

Discussion Question for Chapter 3: The Trouble With Geniuses, Part 1 (p. 69-90)

Gladwell writes, “High-tech companies like Google or Microsoft carefully measure the cognitive abilities of prospective employees out of the same belief: they are convinced that those at the very top of the IQ scale have the greatest potential.” Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain.

Discussion Question for Chapter 2: The 10,000 Hour Rule (p. 35-68)

Gladwell writes, “We pretend that success is simply a matter of individual merit. But there’s nothing in any of the histories we’ve looked at so far to suggest things are that simple… [The success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and others] was not just of their own making. It was a product of the world in which they grew up,” (p. 67). Which do you think is more important when it comes to success–how hard an individual works, or being surrounded by the right opportunities?

Discussion Question for Chapter 1: The Matthew Effect, pgs. 15-34

Gladwell writes of our society, “It is those who are successful who are most likely to be given the kinds of special opportunities that lead to further success. It’s the rich who get the biggest tax breaks. It’s the best students who get the best teaching and most attention.” Do you agree or disagree with Gladwell? And, if you think he’s right, do you think this is necessarily a bad thing?

Discussion Question for Introduction: The Roseto Mystery, p. 3-11

Gladwell claims that the lifestyle of the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania is what led to the creation of an extremely healthy community. What elements of the community described in Roseto are present in the community where you live and go to school? How does our lifestyle today compare?