Brooke Gladstone
The Goldilocks Number
“The Goldilocks Number” first appeared in Brooke Gladstone’s book The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media, illustrated by Josh Neufeld, and it was adapted from a radio segment Gladstone produced for NPR in 2010. Gladstone, a journalist and media analyst, calls The Influencing Machine a “media manifesto” in which she challenges readers’ common assumptions about media. As you read, pay attention to how the illustrations enhance Gladstone’s analysis and help distinguish her own ideas from those of her sources.
For a closer look, click on each image to enlarge it.
Starting a Conversation: Respond to “The Goldilocks Number”
In the text boxes below, reflect on Gladstone’s analysis on by responding to the following questions: