it's fascinating. >> reporter: although dyslexia remains a challenge for many, he figured out a way to overcome it. he's a good listener and unafraid to take chances. >> people that can't read well, we tend to build a great sense of listening. we also tend to build a great sense of being able to deal and cope with failure. >> this is not something you would wish on anybody else? >> no, i would not. >> reporter: gladwell is obsessed with people who force their own path. he's a staff writer for the new york magazine but doesn't have an office. he writes in small caves in new york and does research in a library where he hunts out academic papers and minds them for interesting counter fewtive ideas. he's called an original. >> there are people that cover science. there are people that cover business. there are people that cover