The science of influence

I've been crazy busy with work and I've sadly neglected the site -- but just read an article in Science News about the power of being influenced.

In a way, it's a review of Malcom Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. If you haven't read it, basically Gladwell makes the argument that "exceptional people" drive social epidemics and make certain things more popular more quickly by convincing others of the value of said certain thing. Confused?

Basically, some people are naturally awesome. They're trendsetters. Identify them, and get them to love your idea/product/service, and you immediately gain influence over large groups. Make sense?

There's more to the article than that, but that's more or less the gist.

Blogged with the Flock Browser