Outliers Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What stats of the art feature did the University of Michigan have in 1971?

It had the most advanced computer science program in the world, and had a high tech computer center.

What major, long-lasting accomplishment did Bill Joy achieve?

He rewrote UNIX and he wrote and created JAVA.

What does Bill Joy have in common with hockey players?

The meritocracies and the skills that you are born with. Bill Joy was just naturally smart and talented at computer programming.

How does Gladwell define achievement?

Achievement is talent plus preparation. Signup and view all the answers

What did psychologist K. Anders Ericsson discover about the most successful violinists?

They discovered that students who were the best were practicing more and more when they got older. Signup and view all the answers

What surprising thing did Ericsson's study reveal?

The surprising thing was that they could not find any natural musicians who played well and do not need any practice. Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings of Ericsson's study, what is the greatest factor contributing to success?

The greatest factor was at least 10 years of practice which includes 10,000 hours of practice. Signup and view all the answers

About how many years does it take to become a world-class pianist, chess player, or any other prodigy?

The overall practice will take about 10 years, and in that time, you will have practiced for about 10,000 hours. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it so difficult to achieve a sufficient amount of practice to become an expert in something?

It is difficult because there are not enough hours in the day to practice, and those people need time to themselves with family and friends. Signup and view all the answers

Why was it difficult for individuals in the 1960s and 1970s to become computer programming experts?

It was a long process involving waiting in line for computer chips and starting over if you made a mistake. Signup and view all the answers

How was Bill Joy able to get so many hours of practice with computer programming?

He spent hours in the computer lab at the University of Michigan programming. Signup and view all the answers

Why were so many of the bands playing in clubs in Hamburg, Germany, from Liverpool, England?

Many of the bands had their practice and experience, which provided them the chance to practice more and gain confidence. Signup and view all the answers

What made playing in Hamburg a great opportunity for the Beatles?

It forced them to spend more time playing and practicing, which made them get better and gain more confidence. Signup and view all the answers

How many times did the Beatles perform in Hamburg?

They performed about 1,200 times. Signup and view all the answers

What amazing thing happened to Bill Gates's school, Lakeside?

His school had started a computer club. Signup and view all the answers

What did all of the opportunities that Bill Gates came across have in common?

They were all related to computers, allowing him to get a lot of practice. Signup and view all the answers

To what does Bill Gates attribute his success?

He attributes it to John Norton who taught him about computer programming and the opportunity to practice at his school. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gladwell find interesting about his list of the 75 richest people in human history?

He found that 14 of them were American and that almost 20% of the names come from a single generation. Signup and view all the answers

How did being born between 1831-1940 contribute to the wealth and success of 14 of the wealthiest Americans?

The American economy changed. Signup and view all the answers

What makes computer moguls Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, Steve Jobs, Eric Schmidt, and Bill Joy's birth years ideal?

They were all born around 1954-1955. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Significance of Opportunity and Practice in Success

The University of Michigan boasted a leading computer science program in 1971, featuring a high-tech computer center.
Bill Joy revolutionized computer programming by rewriting UNIX and creating JAVA.
Joy and hockey players share a commonality regarding inherent talent and skills; Joy excelled in programming naturally.
Achievement is defined as a combination of talent and preparation, encapsulated in the formula: talent + preparation = success.

Insights from K. Anders Ericsson's Research

Studies showed that the best violinists increased their practice time as they aged, indicating a strong correlation between practice and proficiency.
No natural talent was found among musicians who excelled without practice, highlighting the necessity of effort.
A minimum of 10 years or approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice is critical for reaching world-class skill levels in various disciplines.

Challenges to Mastery

Achieving 10,000 practice hours is difficult due to time constraints and the need for personal and family balance.
Encouraging relationships and financial support are essential for individuals to log significant practice hours.
In the 1960s-70s, aspiring computer programmers faced lengthy processes involving waiting for access to computer chips, impacting their learning opportunities.

Pivotal Practice Opportunities

Bill Joy gained extensive programming practice at the University of Michigan's computer lab, where he dedicated many hours.
Liverpool bands, including The Beatles, thrived in Hamburg clubs as these venues provided ample performance practice, bolstering their confidence.
The Beatles performed around 1,200 times in Hamburg, which greatly advanced their skills.

Bill Gates and Computer Access

Lakeside School, attended by Bill Gates, initiated a computer club, planning a crucial role in Gates' development.
Gates seized multiple computer-related opportunities, allowing for significant practice and growth in his skills.
John Norton introduced Gates to key programming concepts, and Gates maximized his access to computers and practice time at school.

Wealth and Generational Factors

Gladwell noted that among the 75 wealthiest individuals in history, 14 were American, with nearly 20% from a single generation.
Economic shifts in America between 1831 and 1940 contributed to the wealth accumulation of these individuals.
Birth years around 1954-1955 were advantageous for tech moguls, aligning their formative years with significant advancements in the computer industry.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 2 from 'Outliers' with these flashcards. Explore key concepts such as the advancements in computer science at the University of Michigan in 1971 and significant contributions by Bill Joy. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the chapter's themes and influential figures.