Outliers: The Story of Success Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

Outliers: The Story of Success Topics for Discussion

What sort of opportunity does Gladwell think contributes to success? Can these opportunities always be made available to everyone?

What are the main differences between Asian and Western cultural legacies that Gladwell identifies? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each as he sees them?

Does Gladwell completely dismiss intelligence as a factor in success? What role does it play in his theory?

Does Gladwell make a convincing case for his theory of what makes a person successful? Why or why not?

How would Gladwell define "successful"? Does he present a definite idea of what success is?

Can cultural legacies be changed?

Discuss Gladwell's implicit call for educational reform. Do you agree or disagree with his conclusions?