The entire principle of a blind taste test was ridiculous. They shouldn't have cared so much that they were losing blind taste tests with old Coke, and we shouldn't at all be surprised that Pepsi's dominance in blind taste tests never translated to much in the real world. Why not? Because in the real world, no one ever drinks Coca-Cola blind.

~ Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell Marketing Reality Taste Test Thin Slicing

Our first impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment, which means that we can change our first impressions . . . by changing the experiences that comprise those impressions.

~ Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell Experience First Impression Intuition Nature Vs Nurture Thin Slicing

Basketball is an intricate, high-speed game filled with split-second, spontaneous decisions. But that spontaneity is possible only when everyone first engages in hours of highly repetitive and structured practice--perfecting their shooting, dribbling, and passing and running plays over and over again--and agrees to play a carefully defined role on the court. . . . spontaneity isn't random.

~ Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell Intuition Practice Spontaneity Thin Slicing