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Misfit Subculture
Video

Misfit Subculture

Learning from Hermits, Gangsters and Occupiers


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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Overview

Recommendation

Hackers, hippies, hermits and other “misfits” have much to impart to mainstream society. Economic historian Alexa Clay describes fringe groups and explains the roles they play in contemporary commerce. Though her brief descriptions lack depth, Clay presents a cogent argument for including misfits in traditional business environments. getAbstract recommends Clay’s report to corporate professionals and to all who wish to explore their alter egos.

Summary

Mainstream society can learn from subcultures residing at the fringes. Innovators in these groups operate outside the boundaries of conventional business practices. These subcultures include the following legal and illegal cohorts of “misfits”:

  • Gangsters – Convicts often exhibit stellar management and entrepreneurial skills. King Tone inherited leadership of the Latin Kings, a New York street gang, when the group was under heavy “external scrutiny and regulatory pressure.” Tone’s strong, charismatic leadership revamped his organization’s structure and behavior.
  • Patent robbers – In the...

About the Speaker

Economic historian and author Alexa Clay researches underground and grassroots innovation.