Pushkin

On the campus of the University of Michigan, there's a gorgeous building called the Racka

Monitorium built in the 1930s in the classical Renaissance style.

And in January of 2004, on one of those cold Michigan days, a woman takes the stage

in front of a big crowd.

She's in her 60s. Her name is Mrs. Thompson.

Good evening. It's indeed a pleasure to be with you this evening here on the campus of the University of Michigan.

The home of the Wolverines, is that right?

And I heard you had a game last night and you only lost it by two points, huh?

She tells a funny story about how she was once invited to speak at NASA and thought she was going to the Bahamas,

only to discover that it was NASA County, Long Island.

She talks a little bit about her childhood and her family.

Then, right in the middle of her talk, she starts reading a notice of termination

sent many years ago to a teacher named Darla Buchanan.

Dear Miss Buchanan, due to the present uncertainty about enrollment next year,

it is necessary for me to notify you now that your services will not be needed for next year.

The students in the auditorium are wrapped. This is not what they expected.

But Mrs. Thompson goes on and reads all the way to the end.

I think I understand that all of you must be under considerable strain.

And I sympathize with the uncertainties and inconvenience which you must be experiencing during this period of adjustment.

This period of adjustment, remember that line, it's a nice bit of condescension and understatement.

My name is Malcolm Gladwell. You're listening to revisionist history,

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