Epidemic: Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time. In the novel, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell he explains many epidemics that have effected everyone in one way or another. For example, Hush Puppies, teenage smoking, and crime in cities. It is said that there are three people involved in the spread of many epidemics. These people are, mavens, salesmen, and connectors. Maven are people who live to learn. Maven comes from the Yiddish, it means one who accumulates knowledge. (60) It is said that mavens are "obsessed" with getting the best deal on items. Also involved in spreading an epidemic is a "salesman." This person has the skills to persuade other people that are unconvinced of the idea we are hearing. (70) The last and most commonly heard is a connector. A connector is one person...