All the Racket in Our Lives
Blink: Chapter 2
Summary of the Chapter
In Chapter 2, Malcom Gladwell explains the influences and subjects of Priming and Speed Dating. Priming is when subtle triggers influence our behavior without our own awareness that our behavior is changing. An example of this is was when Spanish Authorities decided to introduce classical music to the subway environment and the result, was that vandalism and littering drastically decreased. Then the book goes on to talk about how "priming" could be used in another situations such as: Using it in schools to make the students get better grades, an employer using it to make their employees more friendly to customers and so on. The final point made in the chapter, revolves around Speed Dating, by providing an example that when a person is speed dating, what they want, is different than what they end up choosing.
How does this apply to the Real World?
The priming effects all of us in ways we might not even think about. As priming goes on without the person noticing it, it is rather difficult for someone to actually notice it taking an effect unless they are told or shown the results. But when they used it in Spain, it showed promising results, and this could be used to an even greater effect in other parts of the world. It could be used to influence students behavior to make them more successful in their classes, or even behave better. The possibilities are endless, but priming must be used responsibly, because having the ability to influence people to change their actions, can have a negative effect as well. Such as using it in a way to promote illegal ideas, cause people to become more chaotic, and so on. It must be used for the greater good, and not for someone`s personal needs, and as they say, "With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibilty."
Chapter 2 Quote and Meaning....
1. "from are Florida oranges temperature"
2. "shoes give replace old the"
3. "be will sweat lonely"
4. "sky the seamless gray is"
2. "shoes give replace old the"
3. "be will sweat lonely"
4. "sky the seamless gray is"
Although it`s obvious that this quote is pretty direct, there is another factor at play. Although he is describing Florida he uses words such as "lonely, old, Florida, and grey," the words caused your subconscious to think about the state being lonely and old. This is an example of priming: by using adjectives to describe Florida, your subconscious uses these to paint an image of your head of countryside that looks aged, deserted, and the sky is gray.
Here's a simple question to put your Biblical knowledge to the test. How many of each kind of animal did Moses bring on his ark?
If you answered "two," you're like most people … and you're incorrect. It was Noah who took animals on his craft. Most people get this question wrong because the brain is primed by the words "biblical," "ark" and "animals," and goes straight into accessing its Bible-related knowledge to answer, said Jason Silva, the host of the show. This allows the brain to gloss over the fact that Moses is not the right guy.
This works in the same way as Malcom Gladwell explained on how the brain can be primed on thinking certain things just based on the environment.
What is Gladwell trying to say?
Gladwell gives us the facts and scenarios that opens up ones eyes. Gladwell uses the power of priming to show that our surroundings really do show who we are, with this knowledge we are able to realize if we change our environment we can change our self's for the better or the worse without even realizing it.