TOW 26: The Tipping Point - Intro

In the introduction of his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell defines a tipping point as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." He then goes about introducing the main premise of the book, which is to explain the surprising phenomena of sociological changes that mark everyday life. Of how Hush Puppies went from being an almost out-of-business company to an overnight sensation, top-industry company that was in the ranks of Donna Karen and Calvin Klein; of how the crime rate in New York went from being at an all time high to an all time low. Gladwell uses straight up facts and statistics to create a credible foundation for his narrative. His tone is straightforward and candid yet inquisitive and curious, narrating as if he is discussing and speculating the topics at hand with the reader. Gladwell does this to inform the readers - to bring awareness to these mysterious tipping points, what they are and why they happen, and he does this effectively and in an interesting manner.