Gladwell revolutionizes our understanding of power and resources by introducing the inverted-U curve, which demonstrates that advantages follow a predictable pattern: initially beneficial, then plateauing, and eventually becoming counterproductive. This principle manifests across diverse domains—from classroom sizes to criminal justice to parenting with wealth. The California Three Strikes law exemplifies this perfectly: while initial harsh sentencing reduced crime, excessive punishment eventually destabilized communities and increased criminal activity. As Gladwell observes, 'There is no such thing as an unmitigated good. All positive traits, states, and experiences have costs that at high levels may begin to outweigh their benefits.' This insight challenges the fundamental assumption that more is always better, revealing instead that every strength contains the seeds of its own weakness. | Malcolm Gladwell | David and Goliath

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The Inverted-U Curve: When Advantages Become Liabilities

Gladwell revolutionizes our understanding of power and resources by introducing the inverted-U curve, which demonstrates that advantages follow a predictable pattern: initially beneficial, then plateauing, and eventually becoming counterproductive. This principle manifests across diverse domains—from classroom sizes to criminal justice to parenting with wealth. The California Three Strikes law exemplifies this perfectly: while initial harsh sentencing reduced crime, excessive punishment eventually destabilized communities and increased criminal activity. As Gladwell observes, 'There is no such thing as an unmitigated good. All positive traits, states, and experiences have costs that at high levels may begin to outweigh their benefits.' This insight challenges the fundamental assumption that more is always better, revealing instead that every strength contains the seeds of its own weakness.

-- Malcolm Gladwell