Chapter
Immigrant Ancestry and Farming Narratives
39:21 - 43:32 (04:11)
The podcast discusses how individuals can build narratives around the struggles of their immigrant ancestors and the effect it had on their work ethic. The specific example of rice farming, which requires counting plants, is contrasted with farming in other regions such as the far north.
Clips
Research shows that some Asian students excel in math due to the persistence they acquire while farming rice.
39:21 - 40:40 (01:19)
Summary
Research shows that some Asian students excel in math due to the persistence they acquire while farming rice. However, the evidence presented in the book is regarded as insufficient.
ChapterImmigrant Ancestry and Farming Narratives
EpisodeMalcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
PodcastIf Books Could Kill
The idea of finding a cultural explanation to explain a group's behavior was not very satisfactory because it involves the process of finding a comparison to prove a cultural explanation.
40:40 - 42:19 (01:38)
Summary
The idea of finding a cultural explanation to explain a group's behavior was not very satisfactory because it involves the process of finding a comparison to prove a cultural explanation. This process requires careful selection, examination, and historically contextualizing to ensure its accuracy.
ChapterImmigrant Ancestry and Farming Narratives
EpisodeMalcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
PodcastIf Books Could Kill
The hosts criticize Malcolm Gladwell's tendency to weave research and story through anecdotes, citing his "Mathematics and the Dueling Cultures" chapter as a prime example of using a common stereotype in Western society without proper evidence.
42:19 - 43:32 (01:12)
Summary
The hosts criticize Malcolm Gladwell's tendency to weave research and story through anecdotes, citing his "Mathematics and the Dueling Cultures" chapter as a prime example of using a common stereotype in Western society without proper evidence.