Habits in the Headlines

No this is not a news story on inappropriate behavior in a religious institution. Rather about mass marketing. I wonder why people are so taken by reading about others' habits - mostly about so called successful people. Harvard, Linkedin and certain (authors) others gain a lot of publicity by continuosly publishing these apparent behavioral traits. What exactly are the outcomes of these articles? Are people then actually emulating these in their work life and coming ahead? I have strongly suspected that since the circumstance to every person's immediate circle of influence is unique. These so called success stories tend to be also one of those lucky accidents that propels someone into being a stand out. Malcolm Gladwell has tried to approach this subject scientifically and shares his ideas in a book called the Tipping Point. It shows how a series of events leads to a perceived big event but that there is always a underlying theme to who will pop and who will not. Equally important is that one event that defines or destroys. Also important is his view that change comes about by only a select few people endowed with special gifts. Another accident of genetics. Having said all this I would like for someone to compile a list of highly weird people or habits of very successful lazy people. Wearing black turtlenecks and jeans does not solve anything as much as reading Harvard papers or making Covey rich.