Tipping Point

Cousin John suggested The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (2002). The general idea was there were mixtures of message and conditions that lead to dramatic change, even if the message and conditions change only by a little bit. The idea of biking to work seems to fit this. The gas prices went up and the spring was beautiful. Now, we'll see if the idea of biking is "sticky" - that is does the action stay after people trying it out. (The message was broken down into who sends it, how well they communicate it and how well connected they were. An idea said into a dark cave doesn't go anywhere, there are those well connected people who can share a good idea, and there are those people who often have well researched ideas, or are perceived as experts or "cool") Plenty of people can see bike commuters. Plenty of people have the opportunity to bike (a safe route of 45 minutes riding or so and an old bike). If the conditions make it worthwhile people will bike. But now gas has dropped, and the weather is supposed to be lousy this winter (according to Almanac).

While I didn't find the writing in the book inspiring, I read it in a night. Perhaps exciting, well phrased essays are over-sold. There were a few stories that were compelling. One was of a story about (p163) John Darley and Daniel Batson, Princeton University psychologists who studied students at the Princeton Theological Seminary. They had some seminarians read the good Samaritan story, then sent them off to give a short talk. One half of the students were told they were late to present and 1/2 were told to take their time. The best predictor for if the seminarians stopped to help an actor in an alley who was coughing and groaning was if they were in a rush. (Other variables, like why one went into the seminary were considered)
I wonder if the condition of riding a bike will help our community. Neighbor Gabe joked that I'll never be able to ride as I am rushing along at 70 most mornings. We'll see.