TOW #8 Post (IRB): Blink Pt. 2

In the book Blink, towards the end, Malcolm Gladwell, the author, starts to focus on the idea of judgement. He mainly focuses on the brain's method and reactions, and ties that to the reason humans judge. In the chapter, "Seven Seconds in the Bronx", Gladwell uses organization and classification as two of his main strategies to get his purpose across. First, Gladwell sets up the chapter in a very neat way. He talks generally about the topic then starts to list his reasoning using numbers (ex. 1.). Here is where classification now plays a part. Gladwell, then, classifies the rules into categories and explains how each category affects our reasoning behind judging others. Malcolm goes on to say how "the most common -- and the most important -- forms of rapid cognition are the judgements we make and the impressions we form of other people" (Gladwell 194). His usage of classification helps the reader connect all his ideas together. He is breaking down this vast idea of rapid cognition into categories, one being judgement. This strategy allows the reader to understand each individual reason, and connect them back to the big picture: why our brain does what it does and works the way it works. This method is very effective when writing because the reader is aware of the purpose since everything connects back to it. Another effective strategy used mostly towards the end of the book is real- world examples. When categorizing the big ideas, Malcolm would give specific examples to help break it down. For example, when explaining how easily we judge someone, Gladwell says, "when we meet someone new, we often pick up on subtle signals, so that afterward, even though he or she may have talked in a normal and friendly manner, we may say, I don't think he liked me" (Gladwell 194). This method is helpful because it helps the reader understand Malcolm in a perspective they are used to; they understand where he is coming from and what he is saying. Ultimately, the usage of classification, organization, and real world examples really help Gladwell to sell his purpose of informing people the wonders of our brain.