I wrote what I think the problem is: "instead of taking the book as a series of illustrations of an idea Gladwell finds compelling and wants to share, they take

I wrote what I think the problem is: "instead of taking the book as a series of illustrations of an idea Gladwell finds compelling and wants to share, they take it as settled science performed meticulously by the man." I think people often aren't synthesizing and drawing their own conclusions (it is generous to apply this IMHO uncommon quality to the average departure-lounge-pick-up reader). They are reading Gladwell like a textbook.