Tipping Point Blog 3

I knew I would reach this point eventually, and it is with great regret to announce that I am calling BS on Malcolm Gladwell.  The more I delved into the idea of a Connector and their ultimate importance in our society the more I cared about them less and less.  Gladwell says Connectors have as many as 4 to 5 times as many "acquaintances" as mere mortals, and thus play an integral role in how news, trends, and ideas travel.  These Connectors he explains often have worked in many different industries and sectors and therefore are the link between worlds that would remain separate without them.  While I understand that they exist, I don't think they are important at all.  In terms of mass media and nationwide trends, you might need 5 million of these connectors to make your product famous.  If you spread your product through the regular plebiscites, you might need 10 million people in order for it to gain real importance.  The difference between reaching 5 and 10 million people may seem like a lot, but once you reach a certain point, anything past that is basically meaningless.  For example, if we sell 100 calendars and make $1000 I'd be very happy, and if we sold $250 calendars and made $2500 I wouldn't be that much more pleased than if we had sold 100 because once we make a good profit, anything after that is a bonus, but not a necessary bonus.  The difference between the quality of life of someone who makes $10 million a year and someone who makes $30 million a year is similarly marginal.   The difference between a $150,000 car and a $400,000 is also barely noticeable.  While I have digressed a fair amount, my point is that Connector's do not make the world go round as they spread information only slightly more efficiently than non-Connectors.