Examination of the Tipping Point - Essay Example

Examination of the Tipping Point Introduction The concept of drastic and dramatic changes is usually a component to modern thinking, both in the ideology of society and biology. However, this is often overlooked in terms of evolution and how various processes take place over time. The defining point which is created between change and staying the same occurs with a tipping point, which begins to rebalance and define various aspects in a different manner. The tipping point is one that is not only responsible for creating a sense of change both biologically and within society. It also becomes important because it creates a dynamic in social analysis while creating an understanding of a specific point which begins to create a change in course and the associations which are a part of the social evolution through time. Defining the Tipping Point The tipping point is defined by a single instance or moment that causes the changes in social behavior to begin moving in another direction. At times, this becomes when a rare disease becomes an epidemic, while others cause the tipping point to be a change in social trends or behaviors. Typically, this includes a set of small behaviors which accumulate and which cause the weight of a situation to move in a different direction and to change the way in which most things work in a given societal region. However, this is determined by accepted lifestyles, personal decisions, education and the understanding of what is included in a specific scenario. This creates the tipping point because the small expectations that an individual has can lead to larger ideals that accumulate throughout time and change the course of history. The concept of the tipping point is inclusive of the instance in which the idea or innovation becomes one that is among the minority and which leads into a majority and accepted ideology (Gladwell, 2001: 20). The tipping point is not only identified as a main way of shifting and evolving in terms of trends in society or through basic changes. There are also specific ways in which this occurs. The process begins with an idea, concept, ideology or proponent that is within society. Typically, this is unknown or is only provided to a few in society. However, this changes with what is known as the diffusion model, which begins with something small and emerges into different communities and societies that begin to exchange the information and ideologies. This is eventually adopted into society and creates a different understanding of what is expected from those that are in society and culture. The tipping point is identified specifically by the trends that become accepted through the diffusion process that is occurring (Gladwell,, 2001: 20). In terms of social order, the concept of the tipping point moves forward even more, specifically because of dynamics that are within society. Generally, ideas, trends or epidemics are not naturally moved into society or may not become an expected way of normality. In the beginning, there is not an acceptance or recognition of what occurs. However, as information is given or as individuals starts practicing a specific behavior, it moves throughout society and begins to transform the way that people think. The concept of networking and the ability to give information to others to show that something is better or is needed within society creates the tipping point. As the network is created, the tipping point becomes more necessary and is a main component of what is needed within society. This creates even more social relations which either accept or reject the change and which begin to move the ideologies into a tipping point within society (Grewal, 2008: 16). When identifying the tipping point, it is important to note that it is not an isolated event or occurrence which automatically happens. Typically, there is a foundation which is built as well as potential communication measures which are taken. Strategies, innovations and ways of tapping into society are all determined specifically to create a tipping point. It is at one instance when the acceptance is taken that the tipping point becomes a main component in society and begins to alter the way that many look at the situation. It is from this that there is an understanding of a trend or change from an innovation. Typically, the innovation has taken place in a past time; however, the timing that it takes for this to be diffused in society is dependent on the ideologies of the tipping point. Dynamics of Innovation and Diffusion The dynamics that are created within society for the tipping point are led by the dynamics of innovation and diffusion, specifically because there is reliance on the individuals which are proponents of the change. The innovation which is built requires first a sense of education about the concept, trend or idea. It also includes the need to provide information from an innovative way so it attracts the right types of individuals to learn about the specific concept. However, the innovation and the emerging concept isn’t enough. For the tipping point to occur there can’t be suppression of thresholds which occur in society, specifically among the network power that is used. If an innovation is used, those involved need to combine the network with continuous diffusion for expressing the new concept or trend in society. If this doesn’t occur, then the specific ideal can’t reach the critical mass and a threshold is created. To overcome this threshold, a continuous tipping point is required to turn the objective ideas into a subjective concept which is accepted in society (Grewal, 2008: 38). The concept of innovation and moving an idea into a subject that is widely accepted is dependent on the theory of diffusion. This requires the dynamic of communication, which states that a specific idea, innovation or problem is prevalent in society and can be fixed with specific means. As the communication is used, it is either effective and attracts individuals, or causes those in society to not believe in the innovative concept because of the way the message is perceived. The use of communication is required to clear away all uncertainty and to create a deeper understanding of what is required as well as why this particular concept will work in society. Information exchanges, breaking down specific barriers and accepting or rejecting the concepts that are diffused then lead into the tipping point. The concept becomes one based on selling the idea through effective communication and conviction to those who are looking at the innovative ideal (Rogers, 2003: 5). Since there is a wide understanding that the diffusion is the tipping point, and requires marketing and communication, it becomes essential to create a sense of strategy with the concepts that are needed for a given innovation or societal need. The strategies are based on understanding the network economy, communicating a message in a given way and working towards an emergence of identity that can be easily recognized within society. Those who are working with these components are also considering the psychological, emotional and intellectual associations with the diffusion, specifically so the network can work radically and continue to provide insight into various trends. The rules are based on what attracts society, the network and what the available trends are for those who may be interested in a given product, service or idea (Kelly, 1998: 5). The tactics and strategies which are used are all combined to create an instance in which the tipping point and change occurs. This is combined not only with the understanding that the network and dynamics within society have to fit with the occurrences that are happening in society. There is also an understanding that this has to be combined with the ability to create an acceptance of change. One of the dynamics required among those in society, both in terms of the diffusion and the acceptance of the tipping point, is based on leadership. If there is a leader within a network or in another area that is working on an innovation, then the tipping point can easily occur. A leader is able to develop the right level of communication and provides the community with the capacity of moving toward acceptance of the innovation by displaying that the particular trend is worth looking into. This particular concept is able to provide a sense of change within society and works with the concept that most will reject the change until it turns into a widely accepted alternative within a given network (Anantatmula, 2008: 267). The concept of diffusion is one which has been developed and observed not only through the concepts of leadership and associations with communication. The natural habitat as well as the associations with diffusion is known to create an understanding of the same trends. When looking at animals, it is seen that network groups create clusters of animals that decide to survive or respond to the environment in the same manner. A leader will find this specific style and communicate the message to others of the species. The animals which don’t agree with this method will split and create alternative means of evolution through time, which leads to the variations and species which are varied by smaller physical attributes and evolutionary principles defined by behaviors. The concept of adaptation through the diffusion begins with communicating behaviors, actions or ideas, which leads to groups accepting or rejecting these principles then identifying new structures from this. The dynamics of diffusion in society mirror this aspect, specifically which creates tipping points by accepting or rejecting innovations which are considered useful within a given environment (Whiten, 2008: 7). Society and Technology The various dynamics that are included in the tipping point are further defined with the use of technology and how this relates to society. Currently, this is one of the most influential areas that are being used in terms of the tipping point, specifically because of the growing networks that are online as well as the collaborations and leadership which is easily identified in these areas. The social and technical approaches which are moving on this path are based on a type of institution that many are turning to for information and knowledge about growing trends. This gives equal equilibrium for receiving messages and provides a platform in which leaders, communicators and those who are interested in a given topic can reach a tipping point. This also leads to options in terms of building a social institution that creates a given path that many are dependent on. As others see this dependent path through the online dynamics, there is an acceptance of what is occurring and how this is associated with the decisions which are made and the determinations which can be set with innovations or social ideas in society (Ebbinghaus, 2005: 7). The concept of the tipping point online is one which has formed from several perspectives and in relation to various needs. The tipping point online begins with the concept of free information and the capability which everyone has to access the online information for their own needs. This causes innovations and ideas to become informational and based on communication first. As this grows, there is the ability to accept or reject the ideas, specifically based on the communication used as well as the network which is also creating a response to the given information. The concept of being informed within society is one of the growing trends, specifically because of the amount of free information which is in society and which is providing aids and assistance with everything from health care to fashion trends that are seen with emerging technologies and social networks (O’Conner et al, 2007: 716). Another implication which is moving beyond the ideology of information based and relevant information comes with the social trends which form online. The opening of social applications and platforms, as well as the emergence of interactive networks online, are the leading alternatives which are creating different trends and emerging various networks. Creating communications and placing reliable platforms is one which becomes dependent on the responses from networks as well as the information which is given through social networks. This diffuses the information which is needed and creates a dynamic that allows trends to be accepted at a rapid pace. Self – surveillance, digital exposure and the concept of creating a specific personality and lifestyle through technological platforms are some of the leading trends which are continuing to alter the dynamics and cause the trends to take shape at a rapid pace. The information which is given from individual to individual is changing the dynamics while causing the communication to become more legitimate so a message is conceived in the proper manner (Dennis, 2008: 15). Conclusion The concept of the tipping point is one which begins with identifying and understanding how something moves from a basic and idea or innovation into a trend that is within society. The evolution which occurs and moves into the tipping point consists of various factors and dimensions which influence others, specifically in determining ideologies and expectations. When looking at the tipping point, it can be seen that dynamics in society, including networks, leadership and natural evolution, all become a part of creating a trend. For today’s society, this is magnified with the use of technology and the ability to communicate and network trends in a community. The concept of innovation is then independent on building a strategy that creates a tipping point and which allows a specific response from those that are in society and which are looking for specific concepts. References Anantatmula, Vittal. (2008). “the Tipping Point.” VINE 38 (2). Dennis, K. (2008) “Viewpoint: Keeping a Close – Watch- The Rise of Self Surveillance and the Threat of Digital Exposure.” The Sociological Review 17 (8). Ebbinghaus, B. (2005). “Can Path Dependence Explain Institutional Change?” MPIFG Discussion Paper 5 (2). Gladwell, M. (2001), The Tipping Point. New York: Little Brown and Company. Grewal, David. (2008). Network Power: The Dynamics of Globalization. New York: Caravan. Kelly, Kevin. (1998). New Rules for the New Economy. New York: Viking Adult. O’Conner, Annette, John Wennberg, France Legare, Hilary Llewellyn, Benjamin Moulton. (2007). “Toward the Tipping Point: Decision Aids and Informed Patient Choice.” Health Affairs 26 (3). Rogers, Everett. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations. New York: The Free Press. Whitten, A. (2008). “Establishing an Experimental Science of Culture: Animal Social Diffusion Experiments.” Transactions of the Royal Society 15 (6). Read More