(I posted this on the DCDB last week and had intended to cross-post it here, but forgot.)
I've been reading a very interesting book titled "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference" by Malcolm Gladwel. In it, Gladwel explores sociological changes in society and how rather than happening gradually, they tend to explode like epidemic diseases. He attempts to explain how fashion trends, crime rates, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, drop-out rates, std's, etc. can seemingly change overnight. It's a fascinating insight into our behavior as individuals and as communities.
I've been saying for a long time that there are many complex social and economic factors which contribute to the problems we would like to fix in our county. I think this book may help us better understand this process so that we can more effectively address these issues. I highly recommend it.
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