my pink toes

Our book group recently read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Although I'm not really a business-minded person, I found it interesting from a sociological perspective. But the point of this post is not really the book, but one of Gladwell's concepts.

In the beginning, Gladwell introduces the key players of Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. As we each read the book, we thought about who in our group fit into which category. The group (which happens to contain my 3 very bestest friends) was unanimous in calling me a Maven.

Gladwell describes a Maven as someone who researches everything. They know how things work, how to get the best deal, and why things are the way they are. Mavens feel compelled to share their knowledge out of the goodness of their heart, and out of the true desire to help people. (I had to emphasize that because it felt good to hear it explained that way - I always worried that I was coming across as a know-it-all. I don't correct people (because it's not polite) and I don't try to spout knowledge just to make myself look smart. I really don't. I just. feel. compelled. to. share. information. It's a sickness. But at least now I know it's perhaps a valuable sickness, and not entirely annoying).

I've always had a head for what I call "useless trivia" - I don't know enough about any one area to be an expert, but if you're researching something, or playing Trivial Pursuit, you want me on your team. When "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was in its Philbin-powered heyday, my friends always said I'd be the one they'd call for their "Phone-a-Friend Lifeline".

So now I have a fun nickname, and it's actually nice to have a name for my annoying sickness. Now, instead of spouting random, well-researched trivia and wondering what everyone is thinking about me, I can just preface it by saying, "Because I am a Maven..."

So now I have an excuse for a new category on my blog and an outlet for all these bits of information that I find fascinating and am compelled to research.

Aren't you excited?