Bellwether

A fun story about a PhD researcher, Sandra Foster, who works at a research lab in Colorado studying how fads start (kind of like The Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell’s work) - Bellwether, by Connie Willis.  The research firm is located in Boulder and hosts many scientists and researchers looking at all types of inquiries from animal behavior to statistical equations.  The one strange phenomenon regarding the lab is that it always trying to be on the cutting edge of “management philosophy,” offering sensitivity training, giving voice to staff, and allowing for some very peculiar laisse faire behavior from the admin support staff, such as “Flip,” the resident lead admin person who creates disorganization and “chaos” wherever she goes (losing forms, misplacing mail, destroying data, etc.).  Watch for “Flip” as she is actually what brings the story full-circle (hint hint).   Sandra’s work is going slow, and coincidentally she gets to meet another lab researcher, Bennett O’Reilly, after Flip mistakenly delivers a package to her office instead of a researcher whose office is next to O’Reilly’s office.  This brings the two to their first encounter, where Sandra learns of his study, chaos theory and how it is created.  Both have stalled projects because of Flip’s inability to turn in documents in time for the annual re-financing of the projects, so both decide to work together and combine their studies, using Sandra’s on-again/off-again love interest, who delivers sheep to the lab to determine leadership/followership in sheep.  Meanwhile the lab announces that the prestigious Niebnitz Research Grant award has been announced (a national award) and they are encouraging their researchers to submit proposals, which the joint project of the two is being considered.  After a series of “chaotic events” involving the sheep, Flip’s actions after her sudden departure from the lab, and the antics of lab researcher who sees Sandra as a competitor, means Sandra and O’Reilly are fired from the lab…. But don’t think the unexpected won’t happen…. This is one of those fascinating stories focusing on one thing, yet clearly there are underlying feelings, unrelated connections, and a few spins that one just wouldn’t expect.  This is a fun and quick read.  Started and finished on my flight to San Francisco.  Not overly deep, but loved the intro to each chapter with the history of different fads, such as the hula hoop, hot pants, coffee houses, bob haircuts, and rubik’s cube to name a few.  The author connected a lot of dots and you had to pay attention to make this “unknown” love story actually come together.  Enjoyed it.