.Gladwell interestingly brings up a study conducted in 1872 describing the relationship between insanity and too much education. The psychological study showed that there is a tipping point for Western students, in particular, who study too hard and work too much; the consequence is that students won't be as successful. This is in sharp contrast to his point about the rice farmers and the Asian work ethic. Unlike the rice fields and Asian students who work year-round, Western farming techniques require leaving the ground fallow for a season or two, it also requires a rotation of the crops; similarly, Western students find greater success when work is off-set with a bit of play.
Overall, culture plays a tremendous part in how and why we are successful.
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