He's not good with qualifiers, but he's at least working hard to research complex issues and, for goodness sake, the man even uses references!
I'd say no reference it pretty much better than distorting the overall state of research. (Edit: Also Gladwell isn't researching at all, he's reading research and presenting it, just FYI).
Sure, everyday debate and everyday judgement involves continuously formulating and using unproven, unscientific beliefs. But at least we should be aware when someone is doing that. Arbitrary judgement that just presents itself as arbitrary judgement, that you have strong to examine yourself, it better than dubious positions that present themselves as Proven By Science.
Well, I'd say everyone tries to overstate their case a bit, don't we? But if we care about the state of everyday debate and judgment then we should also accept improvements. And it could be considered improvement if a politician / manager / director gets their knowledge of science and psychology from Gladwell than from CSI or ESPN Live respectively (which they would otherwise).
Actually, this is a specific case of the bad is worse than the none (as opposed to the bad being better than none. I.e., half a loaf of bread is better than no bread if you're hungry, but a half-finished boat hull won't float, if you take it out it'll sink under you).
In this case, your friendly PHB looks at Gladwell or other pop sci author, decides its true (a falsehood), and then makes policy based on the illusion of correctness. Now you, in your quest for truth, have to defeat Gladwell as well as spread truth. See how it gets worse than your PHB just derping it up on his own?
I'd say no reference it pretty much better than distorting the overall state of research. (Edit: Also Gladwell isn't researching at all, he's reading research and presenting it, just FYI).
Sure, everyday debate and everyday judgement involves continuously formulating and using unproven, unscientific beliefs. But at least we should be aware when someone is doing that. Arbitrary judgement that just presents itself as arbitrary judgement, that you have strong to examine yourself, it better than dubious positions that present themselves as Proven By Science.