Malcolm Gladwell's 12 Rules for Life | Revisionist History | Malcolm Gladwell

Crucial life lessons from the end of hockey games, Idris Elba, and some Wall Street guys with a lot of time on their hands.
Revisionist History wades into the crowded self-help marketplace, with some help with from a band of math whizzes and Hollywood screenwriters. It’s late in a hockey game, and you’re losing. When should you pull your goalie? And what if you used that same logic when a bad guy breaks into your house and holds your entire family hostage? We think the unthinkable, so you don’t have to.
Season 3 (2018)
#podcast #revisionisthistory #malcolmgladwell
ABOUT REVISIONIST HISTORY
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell’s journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every podcast episode re-examines something from the past - an event, a person, an idea, even a song - and asks whether we got it right the first time. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
ABOUT MALCOLM GLADWELL
Malcolm Gladwell is president and co-founder of Pushkin Industries. He is a journalist, a speaker, and the author of six New York Times bestsellers including The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, David and Goliath, and Talking to Strangers. He has been a staff writer for the New Yorker since 1996. He is a trustee of the Surgo Foundation and currently serves on the board of the RAND Corporation.
ABOUT PUSHKIN INDUSTRIES
Pushkin Industries is an audio production company dedicated to creating premium content in a collaborative environment. Co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018, Pushkin has launched seven new shows into the top 10 on Apple Podcasts (Against the Rules, The Happiness Lab, Solvable, Cautionary Tales, Deep Cover, The Last Archive, and Lost Hills), in addition to producing the hugely successful Revisionist History. Pushkin’s growing audiobook catalogue includes includes the bestselling biography “Fauci,” by Michael Specter, “Hasta La Vista, America,” Kurt Andersen’s parody Trump farewell speech performed by Alec Baldwin, "Takeover" by Noah Feldman, and “Talking to Strangers,” from Pushkin co-founder Malcolm Gladwell. Pushkin is dedicated to producing audio in any format that challenges listeners and inspires curiosity and joy.
STAY CONNECTED
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Facebook: / malcolmgladwellbooks
Instagram: / malcolmgladwell
Newsletter: www.pushkin.fm...

[@stephenpalmer8072]

Malcolm Gladwelll has one main rule: "Don't debate Douglas Murray again".

[@PoolarityChannel]

Don't you mean "Doug" Murray

[@willmercury]

​@@PoolarityChannel Don't forget Matt Tie-Abby...

[@gregjustlovesyoutubeguidelines]

That was pathetic. Gladwell is a certified clown. I can't believe anyone still watches his videos after that.

[@gregjustlovesyoutubeguidelines]

@@willzimjohn don't worry. He'll never be invited again.

[@stephenpalmer8072]

@@willzimjohn I have enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell's books, I was truly shocked to see how he behaved in that debate with Douglas Murray - it was pitiful - BTW your comment is a bit strange, why would I need to find a hobby? have you learned how to resort to personal attacks from Malcolm? its not a good tactic, it just makes you look dumb.

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

Fantastic. Profound in fact.I'm gonna download several of your podcasts to listen to in the car.

[@William.Driscoll]

His books are interesting, as well- Maybe the audiobooks are well-narrated.

[@bassilsilimjones5620]

Patrick Roy as a coach is notorious for pulling the goalie with 5-10 min left in a game. It would have been interesting to have his perspective. Great show!

[@judi-anncrooks4756]

Love this! This removes my guilt from choosing to be agreeable or disagreeable based on my intuition/the situation

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

yes!

[@SolomonsKey1110]

I have one rule to living. "Relax as much as allowed. Because there is always more to be done." 😂

[@axucaroso]

Everybody in this column needs a warm cookie and a warm hug.

[@willmercury]

Gladwell needs an enema, and a supple switch.

[@ingogotico1398]

And fresh diapers

[@aisamsonreal]

Thanks, where can we find the rest? I'm ready to binge all the rules! I just threw my goalie out the window and left my kids in the supermarket. I'm ready for whatever's next. Though a serious point would be, at what point do you sub your goalie back in? And how does this correlate to soccer? I'm curious about the case for sending goalkeepers into the box in the dying seconds! Thanks for all you do Gladwell.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Your aunt will call to tell you when to put the goalie back in. Always take her calls.

[@MissyGail4eva]

A self-proclaimed dork, I send thanks from the deepest recesses of my soul for the serendipitous introduction to the quintessential resource for an intellectual ne'er-do-well like myself. It's as if all the distractedly dismissed "Why"s and "How come"s of my childhood were placed into a jar of fortune cookies, and once open, each one finds me not a fortune, but answers to which I am fortunate in now finding.

[@mulemule]

*Jedi Malcom: "The dork is **_strong_** in this one."*

[@saeedhajizadeh5552]

rule #13 : Do not debate if you are Malcom, specially debating Douglas :))

[@idomatternonya7447]

Hilarious and even better so true!

[@r.p.8906]

I have all your books!! I am most in love with Blink.

[@beebalm98]

hi there, I has bought book "Blink" But I am worried how to read and understand it.🤔

[@dart3670]

Trying to listen to Malcolm, with honestly and truth. But he falls very short

[@keenanwalsh1049]

fascinating and entertaining thank you for sharing.

[@CViewer70]

Great podcast! I’m a fan! SUBSCRIBED..

[@just-Banks]

I know Aaron Brown is someone worth listening to because he understands the Seahawks' goal line play in Super Bowl 49 was the right call.

[@auditoryproductions1831]

"Down by a goal to a psychopath" - Malcolm Gladwell

[@rynes.rai7er993]

Every year, on the anniversary of your podcast, do you send a "thank you note" to Ira Glass from "This American Life," from NPR? If not, you should. Both are excellent.

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

Somewhat related, Werner Erhard once gave a talk that was largely about his attorney advising him, "Be the bastard that you are," which I think was intended to encourage both his authenticity and his achievement.

[@lindagarland5223]

This was great, thanks Malcolm. You've got a great gig.

[@bettydean4149]

You are just soooo funny. This was my favorite revisionist history

[@jimmyolsenblues]

I am sadly very very very Agreeable and so jealous and envious of happy disagreeable people.

[@chrisevans1255]

I am highly disagreeable. I have been told: you can be always right, but you will be alone. So far, this has been prophetic. Disagreeability may be powerful at work, but in love it's a sure path to a single life.

[@simonrodriguez4685]

It’s a looooong road for disagreeableness to deliver happiness, if it ever... In that regard my happiness stems more from now knowing my disagreeableness serves a purpose.

[@Thomas...191]

Remember; people highest in the disagreeable trait are often found in prison.

[@willmpet]

I am so agreeable too, and I wonder how that’s hurting me!

[@Thomas...191]

@William Peterson being too agreeable is the origin for the phrase; nice guys finish last.

[@balancebear]

This is great stuff

[@coycourtois9999]

So much smug in the air I can't breathe

[@Brian-nt1hh]

Malcolm know stuff, relevant stuff

[@perfectlove333]

Saw you have your ass handed to you by Matt Taibbi. Hilarious!!

[@blakerackley8874]

You mean Douglas Murray? Matt was pretty passive.

[@rudyhenderson5002]

It's a bit challenging to tease out Malcome's rules.

[@Kormac80]

Love MG but why don't i see a comment with the 12 rules listed? TBH that's what i came for.

[@TheMcturks]

Hilarious! You are a gem. Thanks!

[@edmundschubert4963]

I have a good friend who is happily highly disagreeable. Widely respected, but not always well liked.

[@orah12185]

Very thought provoking. Hard like turning into a skid to regain traction.

[@se2103]

Pull THE Goalie. Words to live by. 😉

[@jimmyolsenblues]

Malcom Gladwell needs his own tv show.

[@bthomson]

But he has to really care about his subject and not be hounded into a strict timeline - he is too creative ( a good thing!) for that.

[@simonrodriguez4685]

No! Radio (podcasts) is perfect 👌

[@willmercury]

Only if it ends in self- immolation.

[@gregjustlovesyoutubeguidelines]

​@@simonrodriguez4685he's got a face for radio, a voice for the newspaper, and a brain for children's coloring books.

[@gregjustlovesyoutubeguidelines]

He can have Douglas Murray on as his first guess. Then everyone will understand why he doesn't have a TV show.

[@ryanotis7289]

I would like to give this a double thumbs up

[@sportivitythrills183]

The best you can do is like it, then like your own comment.

[@davidlasoff8261]

Rule 1: Ignore rules 2-12 and do whatever the fuck you want to do because that's reality, that's what everyone does even when they are nice and do shit for others and put others' needs and wants before their own because they either genuinely like to do this or they are playing the phoney saint game.

[@wakkablockablaw6025]

That's not true. I do favors all the time even though I don't want to because of my principles. I also avoid things I want to do such as violence because of my principles, as well.

[@johnbatson8779]

saw Malcolm debate Douglas Murray and got ripped to shreds for his pitiful efforts

[@TacticalTruth]

When the Mrs lost her daughter at an airport in China I said, I will board the plane home and send you money and help from there. She found her daughter before we all boarded. 15 years later she still says "remember that day you were about to leave me behind?" With a disagreeable way!

[@datasciyinfo5133]

Nice story.

[@FFSammie]

Rule of Life: Double Tap -if you incapacitate a potential threat, go ahead and make sure it's dead.

[@hulasista1918]

Another thought: i dated a guy who was consistently disagreeable and Here's my thing... Over nothings. If i said "turn the music down so i can hear you talk", he'd turn it up and talk more softly. I broke up with him. Cause I'm happily disagreeable with his sociopath behaviors 😅 #PullTheGoalie #DontEverLetHimBackIn

[@plusbonus1165]

I know the type, when you say could you repeat that, they turn around and mumble in the opposite direction. Best to reply, got it, fifty bucks (completely off tangent) and this piques their interest. Then go back to scrolling and mumble your self !

[@chilatelover]

brilliant

[@garrettvantiem4637]

If invited, would you be a guest on the Jordan Peterson Podcast?

[@idomatternonya7447]

Hell no he wouldn't he'd get spanked but worse then what Douglas Murray did to him 😂

[@BugMateo]

Ahhhh... Malc. I'm surprised you didn't bring up the race card (again).

[@Saylor_On_Shore]

I understand that it does in fact come up, but I can’t suffer listening long enough to find the examples

[@BugMateo]

@@Saylor_On_Shore Hahaha! I understand your pain... :) I call it the pain of the obvious (seems YT doesn't get it though)

[@victoriaman117]

Malcolm Gladwells twelve rules for life: 1. Anyone who disagrees is Alt-Right 2. There are no other rules

[@glenrotchin5523]

Running to escape to get help is in no way analogous to pulling the goalie. Pulling the goalie is a strategy of attack. Running to get help is a strategy of self-defence, at least until you can return with the police. Pulling the goalie shifts the strategy without changing the numerical advantage, while running to get help offers the promise of achieving a numerical advantage, so the upside of success most obviously is the right decision.

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

I had a terrific "pull the goalie" moment. I'd been ghostwriting a book for a best selling author and the collaboration was 16 months along when he wanted to offer me $10k to just part ways. He claimed there was nothing he could use but he wanted to reward me. Mind you, we were strangers before this. It's not like I was his nephew or something. I said nothing, so he countered his own offer with $25k on first royalties. I said nothing, so he asked me to come up with a calculation so I get a fair deal. "Maybe an hourly rate," he said. I wrote him an email thanking him for wanting to be fair, and clarifying he owes me nothing if there's no book (he claimed he couldn't use any of it) but since he asked, my estimate was that I was going to make $300k on the book, but maybe he can only use half of the manuscript, and there's also a cost to me not being the one to help get it finished. I asked for $25k now and $25k on royalties off the first 100,000 copies sold. He was so confused that I wouldn't take the $10k and I reminded him that I said he owed me $0 since THERE'S NOT A BOOK, RIGHT?!?!?! I wondered why I wouldn't just take the cash, and realized I didn't need $10k, I needed $300k, but would settle for $50k. I wasn't going to settle for a good month or two. I needed a better year if I was going to get screwed.

[@antonomaseapophasis5142]

2:27 probably envious

[@Mikesniezek]

Entertainment media shows violence as glamorous. No one breaks their hands when they throw a punch.

[@justinchapin9789]

Wtf are you doing opening with JP? I cant even listen to the rest of it.

[@TheMisterGriswold]

Did a hard stop. Would you mind telling me what the video was about? Thanks.

[@DyslexicWorkersUntie]

Isnt "Pull the Goalie" just Game theory? Eg. the Idris Elba example?

[@simonrodriguez4685]

Why even have a goalie in the first place? May be the best strategy should be, bring the goalie in once the rhythm of the massacre relented...

[@davidwilkie9551]

Trifling with the formidable Australian Aunty.., phew.

[@gustavbrinkel5489]

13. Don't get into a discussion with Matt Taibbi and Douglas Murray.

[@pavanatanaya]

When your entire life is about money, people are either an asset or a liability. American culture places human value in $$$

[@judy3turn]

I don't understand whether or not you can learn to turn into a fire breathing dragon if it isn't in your nature. I DO know that if it is in your nature, NOT turning into a flame breathing dragon seems impossible. Speaking truth to power isn't a choice, it's a requirement. It's like breathing. It has to be done. Maybe that's just me.

[@FiddlingOnTheRoof]

Gladwell, the Lilliputian.

[@kimmanning4989]

✔️learn when to be disagreeable.

[@gsilcoful]

Wonderful.

[@the_one_eyed_man_is_cursed]

Is Malc' still peddling his piffle? We've seen through you, sir.

[@idomatternonya7447]

Indeed we all have but his groupies!!

[@dennisgrimes5287]

Wow. I only drink 4 liquids. Water, coffe, beer, and milk (with coffe). What a boring person I am. Lol

[@TimFlynn0307]

At the risk of being disagreeable, this sermon was going great until it got to the part where it was insinuated that white males were being victimized when “picking up their gun to defend themselves only to be killed by the assailant”. Is there some data to back this up? Please share. Is there any conclusive study showing a causal relationship between a twenty percent increase in murders and stand your ground laws? In cases where these white men were killed, how many were killed by women and how many of those men were killed while perpetrating a crime?

[@barbcarbon9440]

Gladwell and Peterson??? Fascinating. Seems like a tremendously odd pairing. Should be interesting… 🤔

[@rebeccazegstroo6786]

Pull the goalie is a.hard rule. I'll make dinner rolls while I think about it.

[@simonrodriguez4685]

Chicken nuggets or chicken tender, I bet...

[@lisaschooler9992]

I’m going to have to get past my preference for odd numbers I guess…

[@Pierrecousteau]

When the tube of toothpaste is full, one places quite the dab on the toothbrush. When the toothpaste is very low, whatever u can get on the brush becomes acceptable. Is there a term for this?

[@TisDana]

The Law of Scarcity

[@rynes.rai7er993]

@@TisDana Dana T ftw!!

[@kambrose1549]

Relativity

[@Pierrecousteau]

Agreed!

[@hulasista1918]

I struggled to understand the whole point of this pod topic. The rule in the end was the pay off. Thank you 🙃

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

I am disagreeable and neurotic and high in openness. Yes....not a good mix, but good enough for me.

[@emptydog1109]

Knock him you’re always interesting. In your description to the mom of the scenario you cut about the most important description as you described it. Upon running out of the house they psychotic has only a few minutes before something else happens that will end their hostage situation and possibly their life. I don’t think you described it quite like you described it to us anyway thank you always wonderful.

[@nicolegentry3104]

2-3 standard deviations above his iq is wild. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jamesweldon4591]

I loved it and I learned BUT I wish you wouldn’t “speculate“ on the cause of the increase in homicides. Do the work

[@Juggler1097]

Or hear that guy say "homicide" and then say "murder" as if they are synonymous.

[@JohnDelong-qm9iv]

Envy

[@citygirlphotos.tutonelyles4386]

Cool. Wisdom wizardry ❤

[@MarioTartaglia-dh6pi]

Dude just cause u wrote a few books don’t mean u an expert on life I got one rule get up go to work and reciprocate to who counts

[@axucaroso]

We have just heard from Boston...and it's not a bad philosophy.

[@Gardosunron]

Rule #13 . Drink an extra cup of coffee if you want to.

[@prf7237]

Rule No.1: DYOR

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

I really liked Petersons book 12 rules....but I figured out after a couple years he is not one of my kind.

[@regenerativesolutionsregen478]

Malcolm Gladwell, how would the "pull the goalie" apply to climate action? If you have a book or episode on this, I'd be grateful for your reply, thanks! PS: Any pointers in what you'd consider "pulling the goalie" in the face of the climate escenario ahead would be great to hear. Many (as me) struggle balancing coherence/mindful living to live simply and at times feel defeated "pulling the goalie" to give it all in their activism with only tiny or non apparent success. Some "pull the goalie" turning to deep adaptation, or prepping, or just become cynics or worse..how do you navigate your life rule toward the future? These days would "pulling the golie" be bold restriction or total splurge? ISO of inspiration when faicing eco-anxiety, dispair or just pure guilt.

[@larsthorwald3338]

Rule #1: Always regard the pseudo scientific claims of psychology with deep suspicion.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Rule number 1: You must want to stop being on dope all the time.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Rule number 1: For a film to be old it must at least be in B&W.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Rule number 1: Be careful not to mistake advertisement with psychology.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Rule number 1: The ability to play chess is only useful for playing chess.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Rule number 1: No, not Sam Harris!

[@stevebelzer4758]

What an arrogant person, who was turned down in university application for not being academically rigorous enough Matt Taiebe swept the floor with him 😂

[@voodenpkeh33]

Never punt the football.

[@maxheadrom3088]

And now Sam Harris' kids will be able to take this podcast to their therapist. They should start with a joke: What did Himler say to Hitler when they first met? "Let's think about this rationally!"

[@simonrodriguez4685]

Why even have a goalie in the first place? May be the best strategy should be, bring the goalie in once the rhythm of the massacre relented...

[@christarakich4953]

Rule for life: Do the math.

[@davidfitcher2953]

Jordan Peterson wanna be

[@markbernard8312]

After seeing the way you conducted yourself in the debate against Douglas i doubt any of your rules will be salient

[@franciscoarcegurza6474]

It is all very confusing.

[@Jakelliott]

"Sam Harris... the kind of person who would publish his own 12 rules or, if pressed, maybe even 24!" had me rolling ..."I'm thinking 9.5" 💀

[@trishbirchard1270]

28:20 AAAAAAAHHHHHH H

[@jennetal.984]

Cringe liberal take on post-liberalism. Thanks Michael Gladwell.

[@frank480]

To imply that there are general, inherent, collective rules for life is dishonest.

[@cbbcbb6803]

Rule #1 *should* be to learn at least one indeginious language.

[@benhills1340]

Again?

[@parkloqi]

Well, MalCK… How can I get as woke as you?

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

No. No. Peterson questionable.

[@Nitznet]

I came for his comments on JP’s book, but heard lots of nonsense! 💩

[@Christopher_Bachm]

Only the most ridiculous sort of nonsense peddler would be jealous of Jordan Peterson. I had my suspicions but self identification is best. Thank you!

[@RyanAustinDean]

Sorry, can’t trust Malcolm ever again.

[@weenisw]

Automobile industry sellout

[@jimmyolsenblues]

First?

[@sixman9]

Disagreeable quants....😏

[@dubidolczektv5278]

ew no thanks

[@bthomson]

Jordan Peterson go away!

[@haydendhonydja825]

Why?

[@gregkirk1842]

@@haydendhonydja825 because he says things i dont like and it scares me, because i want to have nothing i think be questioned, because im an ideoluge and i cant defend my ideas against people like Peterson. They need to be shut up so i have free rain to spread my delusions and manipulations.

[@haydendhonydja825]

@@gregkirk1842 " so I have free rain to spread my delusions and manipulations."?? I can see why Dr. Peterson and others like him is kryptonite to people like you...

[@PopularDemand1000]

@@gregkirk1842that’s all pretty much correct, but check your spelling and your point will be even stronger.

[@LuckyJim5050]

For anyone that has really tried to understand why he gets traction with so many frail souls I just don't get the pull. A thousand thumbs up for a year of no Jordan Peterson beyond his echo chamber! Cheers

[@idkanaccountname]

Boooo