The Tipping Point

Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" is a portrayal of social epidemics that influence the way people communicate. Gladwell describes the "Tipping Point" as the moment when a idea, trend, or social behavior enters critical mass, threshold, or its "boiling point."

There are three rules of the "Tipping Point:" The Law of Few, The Stickiness Factor and the Power of Context.

Gladwell explains the concept of The Law of Few with the introduction of the aids epidemic. Darnell "Bossman" McGee, Nushawn "Face" Williams and Gaetan Dugas were all key players in this epidemic. These men were each guilty of infecting their sexual partners with the AIDS virus between 1995 to 1997. These men encompassed the Law of Few because they picked up on a trend and "tipped" the epidemic.

This rule embodies three types of social groups who control epidemics: connectors, mavens and salesman. Connectors are people who have special gifts for bringing the world together. Mavens are people who accumulate knowledge over time and have the most information. Salesmen possess skills that allow them to persuade a group of people.

The stickiness factor is when a message sparks contagiousness and makes a major impact on a person or situation. The stickiness factor allows a message to remain in your memory. According to Gladwell, the stickiness factor can be manipulated by simple changes in presentation and structure. This idea can make a difference in the impact of the message. For instance, Gladwell uses an example about the educational show, "Sesame Street." The producers of "Sesame Street" adopted techniques from television commercials, used live animation from Saturday morning cartoons, and invited celebrities to sing and dance in comedy sketches to enhance the knowledge of their preschool viewers. By using these techniques, the show proved that TV could be educational.

The Power of Context describes human beings sensitivities to environmental changes. Gladwell introduces James Q. Wilson and George Kelling's Broken Window Theory to elaborate on the Power of Context. This theory states that if a window is broken and left damaged, it leaves the impression that people do not care and encourages further destruction. This idea is apparent in the example of David Gunn, a subway director who used this technique. He created a new management structure that "cleaned up" subway trains and developed a rule that limited future destruction.

All of these ideas are important for public relations professionals to know. In order to become an effective communicator, public relations practitioners must know what type of communicator they are, must know how to make a message stick and must understand the changes in their environment.

What Generates my Passion?

Since the tender age of three-years-old, I considered my options for my professional career. I tampered with the idea of becoming a doctor until I realized that I hated science. I thought about being a lawyer until I came to the conclusion that arguing was not my forte. I even thought that singing could be my destiny until I figured out that I couldn't hold a strong note. As years passed, I played in my mind the simple question, "What is my passion?" I finally recognized that my love for writing out-shined all the other options.

As a public relations student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, I know that my passion for writing is generated through my school work and my drive to succeed. I have adapted to the constant reminders that writing is the tool used to reach complete happiness and I have used my passion to help me progress in my prospective profession. Not only have I written for the school newspaper, but I have interacted with all realms of journalism. I use the knowledge from my school work, internships and job opportunities to ignite my excitement for writing and to propel me forward to learn more about my career.

One of the courses that I am currently enrolled in is Public Relations Research and Strategies. This course advances my enthusiasm for writing and for public relations. The course places emphasis on team work, individual effort, traditional and social media, presentation skills, research skills and, of course, effective writing. This course is designed to help me focus on my overall objectives and learn a variety of techniques along the way that will prepare me for my professional career. For example, I plan on using this blog as an opening to gain experience within social media and eventually, adopt new ideas about writing.

At the end of my academic journey, I will utilize these skills and take with me my knowledge, expericences and, most importantly, my passion.