51 pages • 1 hour read
Malcolm GladwellA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Gladwell begins by presenting a fictionalized scenario that underscores the issues and responsibilities inherent in managing social epidemics. The Introduction opens with a virtual hearing during a severe pandemic, where three witnesses are called to testify about their roles in the crisis. The narrative focuses on Witness #1, an elderly woman from a privileged background who struggles with expressing a sincere apology. Her attempts to apologize are met with skepticism by the chairwoman, who seeks accountability for the specific role that each witness played in exacerbating the epidemic. Witness #1’s inability to acknowledge personal culpability highlights the theme of responsibility and the challenges of owning one’s actions in large-scale crises.
Witness #2, a young, well-dressed man connected to the implicated corporation, echoes his cousin’s sentiments, further illustrating the reluctance of individuals in power to accept blame. The exchange reveals a strategic use of language, particularly the passive voice, which Politician #2 points out as a means to deflect responsibility. This emphasis on linguistic manipulation sets up Gladwell’s exploration of how language and framing can influence public perception and accountability.
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