As Luck Would Have It

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happened to have a free computer time.. Number eight was that the best programmers Pembroke knew...happened to be two high school kids” (Gladwell 4), thus rather than “opportunities”, ”luck” suits the truer phenomena. It was luck- the location, his mother’s involvement, the evident problems- and thus opportunity, that wired a channel for Gates to get in his hours and work his genius. Moreover, a modern example stands prominent in South Korea, wherein their modern culture celebrates beauty and physical appearance, particularly that of the face. The country is also infamous for their use of plastic surgery, in which the notion follows that because the majority of students are all intelligent and capable of work, employers ultimately reside to looking at one’s appearance when looking at applications. Thus, it is common for many students to go “under the knife” after graduating high-school or college. However, luck can play a variety of factors in such situations. For instance, if one were to be born luckily with a “pretty” or “handsome” face, they do not need to worry about getting plastic surgery or wasting money on doing so. In another case, if one were luckily born under a wealthy household, perhaps their appearances would cease to matter as much, or they would not have to concern about spending such dollars on fixing their appearance. Though an unfortunate reality, such situations remain evident and stuck in not only South Korea but other cultures as well, underscoring the importance of luck and background. Thus, while factors such as wealth, generation, and experience matter as Gladwell puts it, in many cases, success cannot be reached without a pinch of luck.

Gladwell’s argument that there is no such thing as a self-made man is not complete without the idea of luck playing a crucial role in the success of an individual. Altogether, the notion sounds perfect: with the perfect combination of a person’s background, determination, and just a bit of luck, anyone can go far and achieve their dreams. However, the world does not work that way, and not everyone is blessed with such opportunities. Though perhaps, people today can try to achieve success despite the timing of one’s birth. Although one may be born too early to travel space and too late to “discover” new lands, one can always take advantage of being born in the age of booming technology, fast networking, and endless opportunities. Perhaps the present generation can try to evolve the traditions of deep-rooted culture and remind South Korea that physical appearance should not be as important as they think it is, serving as a model for the next generation. As the Gladwell puts it, “Outliers are those who have been given opportunities- and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them.”