The Outliers Files: Hacker Putting In His 10,000 Hours

CBS This Morning's Jim Axelrod profiles Dan McLaughlin, who has given up his job to put in the necessary 10,000 hours prescribed in Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers to become an expert in a field.

Comments

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

So, there is someone in the world who pays attention to Malcolm Gladwell. Who knew?

[Bret]

He's got no chance. With all the golf he's played now, I'm surprised he still doesn't move or look like a golfer in these clips. Just the way he picks the ball out of the hole, how he reacts as a putt nears the hole - looks more like a hacker than a pro.

[gov. lepetomane]

I have not read Malcolm and what I know about him is limited to the distinctive hairdo.
I imagine I would enjoy one of his books if the time was taken to read it.
If Gladwell claims 10,000 hours are the norm to be an expert, can we infer that Malcolm has put in the requisite 10 grand to certify as an expert on the qualifications needed to be an expert?

[Tighthead]

I don't like his chances at all.

I would like them even less if he was going after a radio broadcasting career.

[dbh]

I think he'll be fine.
Another 10K hours learning how to score and Bob's your uncle.
Look out Champions Tour!

[ol Harv]

I cannot believe anyone is giving this guy any amount of press. Absolutely ridiculous and could be a reason our society is struggling. What a tool.

[john]

I think Gladwell is overrated, but lots of people pay attention to Gladwell witness his 25k or 50k speaking fee.

[KLG]

john, tell me you made that up. I have read both "The Tipping Point" and "Outliers." One tells us that sometimes things happen. The other tells us that some people are special for some reason or other. "Blink" tells us, apparently, that the first answer we come up with is often the correct answer. Uh huh. Nice hair though.

[Mike]

This is nothing new. Read "Paper Tiger." After giving up his job and practicing for a year, the author who got down to a plus 2 tried to qualify for the Canadian Tour and shot something like 88-89.

[johnnnycz]

Feherty said it best in the video...the way he's going about it...no chance anywhere let alone hell.

I somewhat agree with the 10,000 hours/repetition to become a "master" theory...except that this guy needs to spend the requisite 10,000 hours practicing his mechanics and then another 10,000 hours competing on the course learning how to apply said mechanics. One without the other is basically pointless IMO.

Friendly hit and giggle's are not the way to play golf at the highest level. I know it's just a game, but at the top, it's serious business.

[Ian Andrew]

The premise (Anders Ericsson actually) starts with "naturally talented" people "still" needing at least 10,000 hours to master their craft. The comment was the fact that their were no "naturals", that each master took an enormous amount of time to achieve that level.

[thusgone]

i vote we dub gladwell "the tousled head of understanding." what say you all?

[KLG]

Perfect. He can go on tour with the Mustache of Understanding. Friedman can start by telling us the truth and Gladwell can finish by pointing out how easy it is to understand the obvious, especially if you are an outlier.