Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering

Analyze the role of “overstories” in shaping societal perceptions and behaviors. How does Gladwell’s concept of an “overstory” compare to other narrative frameworks, and how does it reveal the influence of authority in public crises, like the opioid epidemic?

Discuss the implications of Gladwell’s exploration of “superspreaders” in the opioid crisis. How does this concept extend beyond public health into other societal structures? Consider the use of this metaphor in a larger cultural, political, or economic context.

Gladwell places significant emphasis on “small-area variation” and its role in the opioid crisis. How does his analysis of geographic discrepancies challenge or support traditional views on public health and social responsibility?