What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
Summary
Gladwell’s collection of essays explores the quirks of human behaviour, unexpected cultural phenomena, and the flawed assumptions behind many models we use to explain the world. From the psychology of taste to the irrationality of markets, Gladwell’s insights challenge our assumptions about decision-making and perception.
Key Insights
The human palate recognises five tastes: salt, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami (savoury).
Neophobia — a survival instinct emerging in toddlers to protect against ingesting toxins.
Cultural superstitions: tetraphobia (fear of 4) in China; 17 as unlucky in Italy (“XVII” can be rearranged to “VIXI” — “I have lived”).
People often risk everything for small, daily gains.
Loss aversion: we are risk-averse when facing gains, but risk-seeking when facing losses.
- Example: prefer a guaranteed £100 over a 50% chance of £200.
- But prefer gambling a 50% chance to lose £200 over a guaranteed loss of £100.
Markets defy neat, physical models — they don’t follow perfect bell curves or standard deviation assumptions.
Strengths
Wide-ranging, engaging stories that link seemingly unrelated topics.
Clear explanations of behavioural economics concepts like loss aversion.
Cross-cultural observations that bring fresh perspectives.
Weaknesses
The essay format can feel disjointed for readers seeking a single narrative arc.
Some topics are explored superficially, leaving the reader wanting more depth.
Reflections
Gladwell’s curiosity and skill in drawing patterns between disparate fields make for interesting reading. While not all essays are equally strong, his ability to illuminate human quirks has merit.
Conclusion
An entertaining, thought-provoking collection that rewards dipping in and out, best read as individual investigations into the oddities of life rather than as a single, cohesive argument. But it is not a book that you will remember for a long time.
Book Details
Title: What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Publication Year: 2010
Genre: Press and Journalism
Reference: Calandra Vol. 2, p. 31
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