Convicted Terrorist Sentenced to Read Malcolm Gladwell Book | Neatorama

Convicted Terrorist Sentenced to Read Malcolm Gladwell Book

Who would ever have thought that Malcolm Gladwell would emerge as a weapon against terrorism? We’re talking eco terrorist, Rebecca Rubin who got 5 years for arson, and also was ordered by Judge Ann Aiken to read Gladwell’s David and Goliath to show how the underdog can triumph without resorting to violence. Wait a darn minute, Judge Aiken, I read the book and the point of Gladwell’s argument is that David wasn’t the underdog at all. Nearly blind Goliath was. Gladwell points out that David refrained from letting Goliath get his hands on him (Goliath was a Giant, after all). David wisely hung back with his sling and a rock. Gladwell further points out that hitting Goliath in the forehead with a sling slung rock was about the equivalent of offing him with a .45. Not resorting to violence? The story of David and Goliath is about violence, both Gladwell’s and God’s version. What Ms. Rubin is supposed to learn from all this, I don’t know. But in 5 years she ought to be able to read all of Gladwell’s books. Maybe she should read them to Judge Aiken.