Gladwell is definitely hand-wavy.  I think this article&#x27;s most compelling point is that Gladwell apparently did not ask a person of Korean culture to interpret the copilot&#x27;s speech.  In particular, one wonders, were the copilot&#x27;s warning of adverse weather put lightly?  Or did Gladwell misinterpret this man&#x27;s usage of English language + Korean culture which, while seemingly more polite, may have different signals for urgency?<p>I work in Taiwan and disagreeing with the boss, while unpopular everywhere, is certainly less tolerated here than my experience in the west (east coast US).  So Gladwell&#x27;s story is compelling and built on a known difference in cultures.  Yet, as usual, he is missing some facts to make his case.<p>The real question is, how is the airline performing now after the culture change brought in by the &quot;western professor&quot; as noted in the above comment by malkia?  Are they still operating with his suggestions and have they been operating more smoothly?  How do employees there feel about the change?