Society

The Tipping Point: 6 key ideas

The core ideas of The Tipping Point, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

Buy the book on AmazonWe may earn a small commission, at no cost to you.
  1. IDEA 1 OF 6

    The law of the few

    A small number of people spread most ideas: connectors who know everyone, mavens who know everything, and salespeople who persuade.

    Reach them and ideas travel.

  2. IDEA 2 OF 6

    Stickiness

    Ideas spread when they are memorable and lead to action.

    Small tweaks in presentation can make a message stick.

  3. IDEA 3 OF 6

    The power of context

    Small details in the environment can shift behaviour dramatically.

    Fixing small signs of disorder can change how people act.

  4. IDEA 4 OF 6

    Social epidemics

    Trends spread like viruses through networks, slowly at first and then suddenly.

  5. IDEA 5 OF 6

    Small changes, big effects

    Tipping points occur when small shifts push a system past a threshold.

    Look for the lever that triggers the cascade.

  6. IDEA 6 OF 6

    The rule of 150

    Groups work best under about 150 people, when members can still know each other.

    Beyond that, split into smaller units.

Get one idea like this every daySwipe through ideas, go deeper on any of them, and save the ones that matter. Free.

Read The Tipping Point in the app