According to “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell, epedimics have 3 laws:

1. The Law of the Few
There are several types of people that spread ideas about products, etc…

There are highly dedicated subject-matter experts, that have a lot of knowledge. And, there are highly social people, who have a lot of contacts to spread the idea. The book contends that other things, like the “spread of violence” are epidemics also. But, the “law of the few” seems to only apply to epedemics of ideas. So, in my opinion, if the spread of an non-idea empidemic is possible, the law of the few may not be as much of a factor. Perhaps the “law of the few” for violence, would just mainly be the media, that spreads the information related to voilence to others?

There is research into the theory that violence can spread like a disease.

2. The Sickiness Factor
Just like the spread of a contagious illness, the amount of time the idea “sticks”, and stays around, the better – and the more likely it will be to spread.

3. The Context Factor
The “context” is the “environment” in which the epedemic occurrs in. If you create the correct environment, then the epedemic will flourish, and vice versa.

One issue I have is that – in this book he discusses how “small changes” accumulate to a tipping point, which create large changes. He sites the “Broken windows” policing – where New York expanded its policing activity and punished even smaller infractions such as graffitti (a context factor) – as an example in the book. But, that was a large (not small change). And, while I agree with the “Broken Windows” theory some degree – the “large drop” in crime Gladwell referenced could have been caused by several other factors. Another book I am reading: “Freakanomics” attributes the rencent couple decades drop in crime to the Rowe vs. Wade decision.

Overall, the book is an easy read, well organized, and well witten – and thought provoking enough to generate discussion.

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