Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

The Cause of Materialism, According to Eckhart Tolle

What is the main cause of materialism? Why are we so obsessed with owning the best material possessions our money can buy? What are the consequences of being so materially oriented? According to spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, materialism stems from the ego’s fear of being nothing. This fear drives the ego to seek superiority, and accumulating material possessions is one of the ways to attain it. This ego-driven obsession with materialism is what drives consumerism, which depletes resources and pollutes the planet. Here’s what causes materialism, according to Tolle.

Eckhart Tolle: How Emotions Form Our Identity

What exactly are emotions? How do emotions relate to thoughts? According to spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, emotions are our bodies’ responses to our thought elements (morals, values, and beliefs). He says that our emotions aren’t caused by situations, but by the thoughts, we have about the situation. Over time, he argues, recurring thoughts and emotions become part of our identity and become the lens through which we interpret the world. Here’s how Eckhart Tolle explains emotions and their role in identity formation.

Eckhart Tolle: Our Ego Is Destroying the Planet

What is ego consciousness? How is our collective ego destroying the planet? According to Eckhart Tolle, collectively humanity is caught up in the mindless ego consciousness. Because the ego always wants more and better, it drives consumerism, which depletes the planet’s resources at an unsustainable rate. In his book A New Earth, he argues that we must evolve out of this state if we are to preserve our species and the planet, and the critical point is now. Here’s how the ego is destroying the planet and why the time to act is now.

Targeted Cancer Treatments: How They Work

Is it possible to mount a targeted attack on cancer cells, as opposed to killing cells indiscriminately? How do targeted cancer treatments work? As scientists learn more about the biology underlying cancer, they become more adept at designing treatments that can target specific genes and proteins that are implicated in the growth and survival of cancer cells. The development of targeted cancer therapies—drugs that target only malignant cells—was one of the major breakthroughs in cancer research. Keep reading to learn about the arrival of targeted cancer treatments.

Understanding Cancer Causes: Major Breakthroughs

What causes cancer? How much do we currently know about cancer etiology? Until relatively recently, our knowledge of cancer and its causes was very limited. Although we’ve come far in our understanding of cancer, we still have a lot to learn about the disease and its causes. Keep reading to learn about the advancements in our understanding of cancer and its causes.

The Fight Against Cancer: Key Milestones

Why haven’t we cured cancer yet? What were some of the most significant efforts in the history of our fight against cancer? Humanity has been putting up the fight against cancer for decades, but victory has so far evaded us. Among the first key efforts were the establishment of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a ban on tobacco advertising, and the National Cancer Act. Keep reading to learn about some of the key milestones in our efforts to cure cancer.

Chemoresistance and the Rise of Total Therapy

Can you be resistant to chemotherapy? What causes chemoresistance? Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment even today. Unfortunately, not all cancers respond to the treatment. Chemo-resistance has no single cause—it can arise due to a variety of host- or tumor-related factors. Learn about chemoresistance, why it occurs, and how chemo-resistant cancers are treated.

What Motivates Consumer Buying Decisions?

How do people make buying decisions? What are the key drivers that underpin a consumer’s decision to part with their hard-earned money to acquire a certain product? The consumer decision-making process may seem complex, but ultimately it is underpinned by five basic needs. These include 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of consumer buying decisions.

Battling Cancer: The Social Aspects to Consider

Can cancer be a social issue? What are the social implications of treating cancer? According to Siddhartha Mukherjee, the author of The Emperor of All Maladies, battling cancer isn’t just an interesting puzzle to solve—it is about helping people. We mustn’t focus so much on the disease that we lose sight of the people. Read about the social aspects of fighting cancer.

Understanding Customer Needs and Wants

Why do people buy things? What needs do customers seek to fulfill by buying products and services? People’s purchasing decisions are underpinned by a wide range of factors. However, they all ultimately boil down to basic, fundamental customer needs and wants: 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the five basic customer needs.