Key Messages
How Having An Advantage Doesn’T Mean You Will Always Win: Examining The Underdog Bias
In the timeless story of David and Goliath, it’s easy to think of David as an underdog, but is that really true? Not so much.
You see, David had a secret weapon – a sling shot that was powerful enough to launch stones at his opponents from distances well out of their reach.
He was also no novice in using this weapon – he often used it to defend his flock from wild animals.
Moreover, Goliath’s intimidating size was due to a medical condition that made it difficult for him to have clear vision.
So despite what we may have believed about who was the weaker opponent in the battle between David and Goliath, it became clear with some research that David actually held all the upper hand!
He easily knocked Goliath out with one stone from his sling and then proceeded to finish him off with Goliath’s own sword.
When it comes to underdogs, we need to be more mindful about who has the advantage before labeling someone or something as such.
This lesson can be found throughout sections of “David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell; readers will learn about how having a disability can be advantageous, why schools may not give best education possible and how even a photo of a dog can change public perception on issues around the world.
We Should Focus On Our Own Paths Rather Than Competing With The Elite To Find Success
It’s easy to compare ourselves to our high-flying peers and feel inadequate, like we can never reach their level.
But the truth is that trying to compete with them holds us back from reaching our true potential.
When we try to join the elite and measure up against other talented peers, we can end up feeling relative deprivation which leads to a lack of confidence in our abilities.
This sense of inadequacy makes it difficult for us to achieve all we desire.
Studies have found that students who attend more prestigious universities are more likely to drop out than those who opt for less competitive schools.
The key is not to let peer recognition distract us from what makes us special.
We shouldn’t aim to compete against the best – instead, we should focus on creating our own unique path towards success.
We can look at various accomplished people throughout history for inspiration; for instance, early Impressionist painters were rejected by the Paris Salon even though their works were ahead of their time, but they started exhibiting their pieces independently and ended up revolutionizing art history.
By carving out our own niche and using our unique skills and passions, we can set ourselves apart from the rest, maximize our potential, and accomplish great things without becoming part of an elite group.
The Downside Of Growing Up Privileged: Lacking Independence And Academic Attainment
Growing up in a privileged environment can actually hinder a child’s chance of learning valuable life lessons.
When parents have too much money, their kids often don’t learn the importance of working hard and developing independent thinking, and they lack the same types of experiences found in poorer households, such as having to help pay for things and work for the family business.
When it comes to education, too much privilege also has its drawbacks.
If a child is in a small class with fewer than 12 students, he or she won’t be getting the same opportunity for discussion and debate that would otherwise be available.
Without classmates to learn from and interact with, there is little chance of gaining the divergent thinking skills needed for successful learning.
Private schools may offer small classrooms, but children are missing out on some of the most important elements of receiving an education—learning from others, engaging in stimulating discussions about classroom topics, and having access to varying perspectives on any number of issues.
It’s true that parents want their children to succeed academically—but excessive privilege just isn’t enough to guarantee it.
Dyslexia Is Not A Disability But A Superpower That Can Provide Unexpected Benefits
Learning difficulties can make reading an arduous experience, but those suffering from such conditions can develop incredible skills in other areas as a result.
This was demonstrated through the intelligence test taken by some Princeton University students that asked the question about a bat and a ball.
The average score for this test rose from 1.9 to 2.45 when the font was made harder to read, forcing people to go over the text more carefully.
As well, it’s been seen that dyslexic people may actually have an advantage on tasks like these since they struggle with reading comprehension and slower reading speed.
David Boies is one example of how people with dyslexia can develop other skills as a result of their learning disability – he didn’t read cases heavily but cultivated his already sharp memory, utilised unbeatable hearing and honed his skill in identifying minuscule hesitations in testimonies.From this, it’s obvious that although reading difficulties can be exceptionally trying, any obstacles encountered provides sufferers with unbelievable bonuses outside of the ordinary parameters of reading comprehension tests.
The Power Of Adversity: How Traumatic Upbringings Can Lead To Genius
It’s clear that traumatic experiences can spur people to achieve great things.
Those faced with the seemingly insurmountable odds of a difficult and troubled childhood are often struck by an abundance of courage and resilience in their pursuit of success.
The story of Emil Freireich is a perfect example of such triumph over adversity.
Despite the tragedy of his father’s suicide, he was able to use his traumatic experience as motivation to become a successful medical scientist, developing treatments for leukemia with an incredible cure rate of 90 percent!
Further evidence can be found in the study examining those whose achievements have landed them in an encyclopedia; 45 percent had lost a parent before they were 20 years old.
While their psychological wellbeing would certainly have been damaged, this misfortune is likely what gave some people the drive to succeed more than those who had grown up without experiencing such trauma.
So, it seems that difficult situations can ultimately provide a person with strength and courage to make great things happen.
This phenomenon proves that even when facing challenges and tragedies, there is still hope for greatness if we choose not to give up.
Underdogs Can Beat Bigger Opponents By Maximizing Their Strengths And Employing Unconventional Tactics
It may be rare to see the underdog come out on top in a direct fight, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
In fact, history has proven again and again that when smaller opponents employ unexpected tactics, they stand a greater chance of succeeding against their bigger foes.
For example, there have been countless battles in which underdogs have managed to win by using guerrilla tactics rather than going up directly against stronger forces.
These tactics involve sabotaging transport and communication networks – not a normal way of warring – but were strangely very effective for these weaker combatants as more often than not, these unorthodox strategies led to victory 63 percent of the time!
So how exactly do these underdogs decide which unconventional approach works best for them? The answer lies in recognizing their own unique strengths.
Through this self-awareness, they can focus on maximizing their own advantages instead of falling into situations where powerful opponents will pick them apart in no time.
Take T.
E Lawrence’s battle with the Turks for example; an unsuspecting group of Arabs versus a well-equipped enemy force.
Instead of trying to match their capabilities like water against fire, Lawrence understood his resources: light knowledge on weapons but strong desert skills like finding water and navigating terrain – and he put those talents to use as best he could!
This strategy worked perfectly in leading his troops to conquer one city after another until finally driving the Turkish army out of the land.
This is proof that underdogs don’t always have to fall victim to “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” belief; when faced with insuperable odds and limited resources ala Davids fighting Goliaths – they can truly turn around the situation with clever use of surprise tactics!
The Power Of Deception: How Trickery And Lies Helped The Civil Rights Movement Achieve Its Goals
The shrewd tactics used by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s show how tricks and deception can be vital tools in an underdog’s arsenal.
The key to their success was to use these ploys to make it seem as if they were larger, more powerful and more organized than they actually were.
For example, activists gathered a greater presence for rallies by waiting until people were leaving work and convincing local children to skip school and join in.
This gave the impression of a massive crowd marching in protest – one that authorities couldn’t ignore.
They also manipulated the media to create exposure for their cause.
They did this by provoking overzealous reactions from police officers which photographers then captured on film.
Photos of this brutality sent shockwaves through society and led directly to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Disagreeableness Is Necessary For Business Success: The Ikea Example
If we want to reach our goals and be successful, we must be ready to take risks and ruffle some feathers.
History has shown us that it’s often the people who don’t care about what others think of them who achieve the most success.
This idea is even supported by psychological studies like the Five Factor Model test of personality, which showed that successful entrepreneurs had large amounts of disagreeableness in their personalities.
This quality enabled them to take social gambles and hold true to their beliefs even when they could have been excluded from power and influence.
Take IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad as another example.
He took a huge risk when suppliers boycotted his company in the early 1960s: he did business with communist Poland during the Cold War, at a time when this could have branded him a traitor.
But his gamble paid off, making IKEA’s massive success possible today.
The Case Against Sever Punishments: Rising Costs, Increasing Crime And Escalating Sectarianism
When it comes to crime prevention, harsher punishments may look appealing as a means to deter potential offenders.
However, evidence shows that this approach can not only be ineffective, but actually increase criminal activity.
This is because sending more people to jail does not act as a deterrent for would-be offenders; in fact, research has revealed that when more than 2 percent of the population are incarcerated within one year, the following year’s crime rate increases.
The effects of excessive and harsh punishments go beyond the criminal themselves – their family and community members also face psychological distress and financial hardship.
Furthermore, children left behind by an imprisoned parent lack both positive role models and stable finances which often leads to increased socio-economic vulnerability for them as well.
Unfortunately, attempts by authorities to quell civil unrest through overbearing tactics could lead to cycles of violence instead.
For example, some decisions made by British forces during The Troubles in Northern Ireland triggered a sharp spike in bombings and murders due to perceiving the Catholic minority population as suspects under the new regulations imposed by the government.
The Power Of Care And Compassion: Why Engaging With The Community Is Crucial For Fighting Crime
As demonstrated by the example of African-American males in the 1970s, people are more likely to disobey and resent authorities they perceive as an enemy.
Studies show that this can lead to a punitive cycle in which those who feel wronged will fight back against the unjust authority figures.
Conversely, fair and humane authorities – ones who actively engage with those affected by their laws, who care beyond punishing rule-breaking – are much more likely to gain obedience from their subjects as well as create a higher level of trust between both parties.
The 2003 New York police force that chose to mediate conflict up close in a crime-ridden housing project experienced this firsthand.
By giving out Thanksgiving turkeys and helping children finish school or find jobs, the officers no longer appeared as enemies, leading to drastic decreases in criminal activity.
It’s essential for all ruling figures and institutions to strive for fairness rather than only enforcing rules and regulations.
People are much more likely to obey laws when those wielding power over them treat everyone with equality and respect.
Wrap Up
The main takeaway from David and Goliath is that power, wealth, and health do not always mean success.
In many cases, these advantages can become disadvantages just as often as assumed disadvantages like learning difficulties or childhood trauma can spur people on to great achievement.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that the marginalized and underdogs will only move forward if their cause is deemed legitimate.
On top of that, don’t be afraid to go your own way and do something novel – it could be the key to finding a major passion.
Furthermore, act out in order to make positive change – nothing is ever set in stone.
Finally, focus energy on giving aid and attention to those who need it most – this helps in creating more equality for all.
