Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle Explained

Why is the universe appear as though it was fine-tuned for life to exist? What is the anthropic principle? In simple terms, the anthropic cosmological principle is the idea that, if we take the existence of life as a given condition of the universe, we can use it to deduce its fundamental life-giving properties. There are two versions of the anthropic principle—a weak one and a strong one. Keep reading to learn about the two variants of the anthropic cosmological principle.

Proof of the Big Bang Event: The Origin of Our Universe

Is the Big Bang just a theory or an established fact? Is there any proof of the Big Bang event? The Big Bang origin of the universe may sound far-fetched to some, but there is solid observational evidence supporting the theory. In 1965, astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered microwave background radiation emanating from space—the remnant vibration from the Big Bang explosion. Here is how the Big Bang event became the most accepted theory on the origin of our universe.

Affordable Healthcare Act: Achievements and Pitfalls

Under what president was the Affordable Healthcare Act enacted? And what is the main reason it failed to live up to its promises? One of Obama’s hallmark achievements was passing the Affordable Care Act. While it made good progress in some areas, it ultimately fell very far from its original sweeping vision. Here’s an overview of its achievements and its pitfalls.

The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute: Review

Is Arbinger Institute’s The Anatomy of Peace worth reading? What do you think is the main reason people get into conflict? The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute builds upon the concepts of self-deception and justification laid out in its previous bestseller Leadership and Self-Deception. However, this time these principles are considered in the broader context of interpersonal, family, social, and political dynamics. Learn about the book’s authors, publication context, and critical reception.

Peter Drucker: The Rise of Knowledge Workers

Are we living in the age of a knowledge worker? What type of work is considered “knowledge work”? Knowledge workers as those who use the knowledge acquired through formal education to produce results—in other words, people who think for a living. According to Peter Drucker, knowledge workers are, in effect, executives because, whether or not they supervise others, they make the same types of decisions as managers as opposed to following orders. Read about the rise of the knowledge worker and its implications for the economy at large.

Eliminate Time-Wasting Activities in 4 Easy Step

What are three to five time-wasting activities that affect your day-to-day work? Can you think of ways to reduce the amount of time you spend on them? Wasting time on things that don’t produce results is unfortunate but unavoidable. In his book The Effective Executive, management consultant Peter Drucker offers four-step advice on how to minimize time-wasting activities and free up time for tasks that yield real, tangible results. Follow these four steps to root out your time-wasters.

Marcus Aurelius: Meditations Quotes

Looking for Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations quotes? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? Many scholars consider Meditations, written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, to be one of the definitive texts on Stoicism. Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and its central idea is that rational thinking can guide you through any hardship and allow you to endure any pain. Below are some quotes and passages that highlight some of the key Stoicism concepts and ideas discussed in the book.

The Discovery of the Microwave Background Radiation

What is microwave background radiation? What does cosmic radiation tell us about the universe? The cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is thought to be the remnant radiation from the Big Bang origin of the universe. CMB is basically the evidence that the universe had a beginning, and that this beginning was marked by the Big Bang explosion. Keep reading to learn about the discovery of the microwave background radiation.

Uniting General Relativity vs. Quantum Mechanics

What is general relativity vs. quantum mechanics incompatible? Is it possible to unite the four forces with the subatomic particles? The predictions of relativity, which deal with phenomena on the massive, universal scale, break down when applied to the subatomic level of quantum mechanics. Uniting quantum mechanics and relativity is one of the great challenges to establishing a complete theory of the universe. Keep reading to learn about the general relativity vs. quantum mechanics dilemma.

How to Think Big: The 5 Things Big Thinkers Do

What does it mean to “think big”? What sets apart a big thinker from a regular person? When you learn how to think big, you will become fully aware of your abilities. You will have the self-respect and confidence to know you’re worthy of the job, the relationship, or the promotion. Your possibilities will be endless. Here are five things that big thinkers do differently.