According to Gladwell the Outlier is a scientific expression that phenomenon lies outside of their every day experience. The outlier book is about those who achieve extraordinary things, and the ways that those people can accomplish such a success. Gladwell in the Outliers indicates that for so many people success is defined working hard, talent, perusing their goals, exceeding expectation placed on them, and people see success as a personal quality. However, through out his observation of the hockey game and other evidences, he believes that we should get away from the idea that people are born with intelligence and luck. Success is beyond that. There are other factors that play into it such as the place that you were born, your family, and your cultural upbringing. Individuals that surround the successful person also share some importance and impact that person in ways they are unaware of. Gladwell’s inspection of hockey tries to prove that other things factor into being successful besides hard work and talent.

     Gladwell’s research has shown that high percentages of professional hockey players were born in the beginning of the year in January, February or March. The kids that were born in the second half of the year have less opportunity to make into the team because they are not as physically and mentally developed as the kids that were born in the first half of the year. People have the wrong impression that theses kids are just born to be hockey stars. In addition, sociologists think that success is not just talent is actually accumulative opportunities and advantages. Successful people are given a little opportunity when they are younger, and it helps them to improve and be better than their peers. The success from those subtle opportunities prepares them for the bigger opportunities that come from take advantage from smaller chances.

     Another factor is the system and rules that are set up benefit those that have little bit more talent. The system has advanced leagues and honor programs that identify these opportunities. But this has a negative impact on ordinary individuals, they become very passive and accept the fact that they cannot be hockey player or be successful. Gladwell’s observation does not apply to just hockey; it applies to every day life. The system and rules should be balanced so that everyone has an equal chance to achieve success no matter what month you were born in and your talent.

         I do agree with Gladwell that the term self-made man is thrown around. He uses the example of Jed Busch saying he is a self-made man, but in reality he is not a self-made man; he is a person that come from money and was awarded opportunities based on his families success.