Acquaintances, in sort, represent a source of social power, and the more acquaintances you have the more powerful you are.

"We form our impression not globally, by placing ourselves in the broadest possible context, but locally, by comparing ourselves to people in the same boat as ourselves."

Malcolm Gladwell

"There is a set of advantages that have to do with material resources, and there is a set that have to do with the absence of material resources- and the reason underdogs win as often as they do is that the latter is sometimes every bit the equal of the former."

Malcolm Gladwell

"Bad improvisers block action, often with a high degree of skill. Good improvisers develop action.'(p.115)."

Malcolm Gladwell

"Much of what we consider valuable in our world arises out of (these) one-sided conflicts. Because the act of facing overwhelming odds, produces greatness and beauty."

Malcolm Gladwell