Harold Taw Response

Some of the traditions I follow are the usual Taiwanese "bai-bai" traditions. Some of my own personal "traditions" that I would follow are that I would count the number of times I brush each side of my mouth, and the number of times I brush either top or bottom. I would also count the number of steps I'm taking (spontaneously) until this inner force feels satisfied to stop counting. I would also count the number of steps there are to a staircase sometimes too. I believe these are just OCD tendencies but I suppose they are "traditions" for me. 

Another tradition (family tradition) that I follow is the way I tell my grandparents I'm home. My grandpa grew up in the Japanese colonial era and he speaks fluent Japanese. Anytime a family member enters the house (mostly applies to kids only) we would yell out "Tatayima!" and then my grandpa would respond with "Okaerinasai!" I think the former announces arrival and the latter is a welcome home greeting.

Malcom Gladwell Response

Malcom Gladwell makes plenty of sense. His TED talks are pretty interesting too. Although I can't say that I've seen any other ones, the way he talks is really interesting to listen to. About the Ivy League thing, I suppose it does have a lot of truth. They really are a selection-effect institution. You don't become successful by going to an Ivy League school, you already have the propensity to be a successful person. Going to an Ivy League won't grant you success. They are highly selective. If they were a treatment-effect institution why would they need to be so selective? I strongly agree with Gladwell's points on these things, however, I would like to bring to light one of the things overlooked when he wrote his article (deliberately? I don't know) but it's that an Ivy League school does receive more endowment, therefore offering more premium programs compared to state schools.