TED: The tipping point I got wrong | Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell reflects on his experiences in 1990s New York City, initially perceived as dangerous. He explores the transformation of the city and his discovery of the Epidemic Theory, which inspired his book 'The Tipping Point'. Gladwell discusses the Broken Windows theory and its influence on policing, later reevaluating its effectiveness after the Floyd case. He acknowledges his past mistakes in understanding crime trends and emphasizes the importance of admitting uncertainty in writing.

What was the main reason the speaker and his friends had a conference at the end of each night in New York City in 1993?

• To discuss the events of the night

• To decide where to eat

• To plan the next day's activities

• To ensure everyone got home safely

What realization did the speaker have about New York City over time?

• The city had more entertainment options

• The city was no longer as scary

• The city became more expensive

• The city had better public transport

What theory did the speaker discover that influenced his writing of 'The Tipping Point'?

• The Broken Windows Theory

• The Epidemic Theory of Ghetto Life

• The Social Disorganization Theory

• The Routine Activities Theory

According to the 'Epidemic Theory of Ghetto Life,' how do social problems behave?

• They fluctuate like viruses

• They are unpredictable

• They remain constant

• They gradually increase

What was the main idea behind the 'Broken Windows Theory'?

• Policing has no impact on crime rates

• Crime is primarily caused by economic factors

• Small instances of disorder can lead to larger crimes

• Large crimes are unrelated to small crimes

What was the outcome of the Floyd case regarding stop-and-frisk practices?

• It was deemed constitutional

• It led to an increase in crime

• It resulted in a further decline in crime

• It had no impact on crime rates

What did the speaker realize about the 'Broken Windows Theory' after the Floyd case?

• It was the sole reason for crime decline

• It was never implemented in New York

• It was misunderstood by the public

• It was not as effective as once thought

How did the speaker's view on writing change over time?

• He stopped writing about crime

• He learned to present ideas as beliefs

• He became more certain of his ideas

• He focused more on fiction

What does the speaker emphasize about presenting ideas in writing?

• Uncertainty should be acknowledged

• Certainty is key to convincing readers

• Writers should avoid controversial topics

• Ideas should be presented as definitive truths

What lesson does the speaker believe writers should learn?

• To write books for the ages

• To avoid revisiting past works

• To always predict future events

• To acknowledge the fragility of their positions