Introduction
Malcolm Gladwell, in his book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants explores the relationship between power on the one hand and weakness on the other. He argues outsiders can win over strong opponents when circumstances are not favorable. This theory is based on two statements. First, people underestimate or fail to notice the strengths of conventional outsiders. The second thesis states that too much strength can be a bad sign, masking weaknesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has become the epitome of a powerful and invincible enemy that no one can resist. The American public has come under additional pressure due to Donald Trump’s policies, often at odds with evidence-based thesis and evidence. This paper will describe the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications from the point of view of Malcolm Gladwell’s theses.
Advantages of the Disadvantages
The coronavirus pandemic has become a crisis that has forced humanity to become a victim. In addition to economic, social, and emotional pressure, people fought for their own lives. Thus, the coronavirus pandemic has become a typical situation that Malcolm Gladwell is studying. The giant has an obvious chance of winning, and people have no weapons against the enemy. According to Gladwell’s theory, failure can be a springboard to victory (Fanaropoulou 186). The lack of clear advantages motivates innovation and creativity to elaborate original ideas for fighting the enemy.
According to Gladwell, failures in one sphere may encourage skill development in other areas (13). The main idea is underdogs need to work harder and try new strategies to compensate for their weaknesses (Hjertstrand et al 2). Unique advantages, a non-standard approach, and the courage to break the rules probably help to succeed. The non-standard approach to the pandemic of a disease that had no cure was simple advice: wash hands, keep social distance, and stay at home. An invincible and dangerous enemy could be defeated by ordinary self-isolation.
The False Power
However, the practical fight against coronavirus turned out to be much more complex and by December 2020, there were 300,000 dead in the United States (Messerschmidt 190). It turned out that the Americans were fighting not only with the disease but also with another influential opponent – the US president. In crises, people show solidarity around their leader. However, in the case of COVID-19, the opposite trend was observed. According to Messerschmidt, Donald Trump knew about the high mortality rate of the coronavirus but publicly continued to assert that the coronavirus was an ordinary flu that posed no danger (191). Trump declared a state of emergency only 13 days after the first death. The delay was fatal. If the national mitigation strategy had occurred 1-2 weeks earlier, the US could have avoided 55% of deaths (Messerschmidt 191). By pursuing this policy, Trump demonstrated the dominance of male power, which probably masked the weaknesses of his campaign, which focused on economic development. Fear of losing financial advantage, a show of strength, and excessive control did not lead to victory, as one might have predicted. Trump failed to show empathy for people who were going through the worst crisis of their lives. In addition, he led the economy to stagnation and ultimately got low ratings and lost in elections. Thus, Gladwell’s thesis confirms that people who want to appear powerful may hide flaws and weaknesses.
Conclusion
Malcolm Gladwell explains why losers become more successful than their powerful opponents. His theses are applicable not only to the individual’s behavior but can be used to analyze social processes in a community, country, or world. The development of the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States gives the idea that powerful adversaries can lose, and outsiders can succeed if they develop their skills and creativity.
Works Cited
Fanaropoulou, Nina Maria. “Robinson Crusoe Never Had to Meet Academic Deadlines: Scholarly Pressure in the Age of COVID-19.” EJIFCC, vol. 31, no. 3, 2020, p. 186.
Gladwell, Malcolm. David and Goliath Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. The Penguin Group, 2013.
Hjertstrand, Per, Pehr-Johan Norbäck, and Lars Persson. “Skill Formation, Temporary Disadvantage and Elite Education.” CESifo, 2020, pp.1-51.
Messerschmidt, James W. “Donald Trump, Dominating Masculine Necropolitics, and Covid-19.” Men and masculinities, vol. 24, no. 1, 2021, pp. 189-194.