Final answer:
Malcolm Gladwell is an acclaimed author and journalist, known for his books like 'Outliers' and articles in 'The New Yorker' that dissect the nature of success and the role of social media in activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malcolm Gladwell is a well-known author and journalist, recognized for his insightful social science commentaries. He explores themes of success, societal transitions, and the impact of social networks. Gladwell's influential works, like Outliers: The Story of Success, examine the complex factors leading to personal success, while his articles for The New Yorker often tackle the implications of social media on activism and relationship-building.
In Outliers, Gladwell discusses the life of Chris Langan, a man with an exceptional IQ, to illustrate the broader point that individual achievement is not just a matter of personal ability or intelligence; social skills and environmental factors play crucial roles as well. This view challenges the traditional notion that geniuses are solely self-made individuals, emphasizing instead the importance of community and opportunity in achieving success.
Gladwell's 2010 New Yorker article, 'Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted', critiques the belief in social media as a powerful tool for social engagement. He differentiates between participation and engagement, suggesting that while social media platforms may increase the ease of participating in a cause, they do not necessarily translate to higher physical engagement in real-world activism, such as protests.