Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

The Psychology of Happiness: Two Ways to Be Happy

What do we know about the psychology of happiness? What are the two main routes for achieving happiness, from a psychological standpoint? At a high level, the research on the psychology of happiness posits two approaches for achieving and maintaining happiness. The first approach deals with expectation-driven happiness which depends on personal expectations. The second approach deals with biochemical or drug-induced happiness. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of happiness.

Samskaras: Meaning in the Yogic Philosophy

What is the meaning of the yogic term Samskaras? How do Samskaras manifest in the day-to-life? You may have come across the term Samskaras reading texts on yogic philosophy, but they often muddle up its meaning. Samskaras are mental imprints formed as a result of past experiences. For example, if driving past a mustang like your ex-girlfriend’s disturbs you, that’s a manifestation of a samskara—you’re affected in the present by something that happened in the past. Keep reading to understand the meaning of Samskaras.

Do We Have Free Will or Is It Just Fate?

Do we have free will? Do you think our choices come from the place of volition or could they be predetermined by fate? In the realm of individual subjectivity, we intuitively feel that our choices and decisions are the product of free will. But are they really? There is actually no consensus as to whether we really do have free will. In fact, the evidence points to the contrary. Keep reading for the answer to the question: do we have free will?

The Law of Connection: Leading Through Emotion

What is the Law of Connection? Do you think leaders should keep emotional distance from their subordinates or is there room for engagement? The Law of Connection is the tenth law in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. As the name suggests, the Law of Connection stresses the importance of emotional connection in leadership. Maxwell believes that orders and instructions can only go so far, and in order to lead effectively, leaders need to connect with their followers on an emotional level. Keep reading to learn about the Law of Connection and how to put it

The Human Consciousness: Where Did It Come From?

What do we know of the human consciousness? What causes consciousness and how does it translate into the subjective experience? Although we have learned a great deal about conscious states of mind, scientists actually know little about consciousness, human or otherwise. Modern science suggests that consciousness is likely the result of electrochemical reactions in the brain, but no one knows for sure how this translates into subjective experiences. Keep reading to learn about the current scientific stance on the human consciousness.

Who Am I? Answer the Question With Deep Reflection

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I really, at my core?” What does this question mean to you? How would you answer, “Who am I?” This question is about more than just basic details about yourself. It’s asking you to think about who you are on a deeper level, beyond your biography. Here are some ways to ask and answer the question: “Who am I?”

Homo Deus Book: Overview of Humanity’s Future

What is the book Homo Deus about? What is the most likely course for the future of humanity? In his book Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari maps out the past, present, and future of humanity, drawing from the interdisciplinary synthesis of history, psychology, economics, and biology. Dissecting the concepts of religion, immortality, and technology, Harari argues that the world of the future may be run by advanced AI algorithms, not human beings. Here is a brief overview of Yuval Noah Harari’s book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow.

Bullets Before Cannonballs: Innovation in Small Doses

What is the “bullets before cannonballs” approach to innovation? What are the three characteristics of a good bullet, according to Jim Collins? The “bullets before cannonballs” is a concept developed by Jim Collins to describe an empirical approach to business innovation. A bullet can be a new product, service, technology, process, or even an acquisition, as long as it has the following characteristics: 1) it doesn’t cost much, 2) it has minimal consequences, and 3) it doesn’t disrupt the enterprise. Keep reading to learn about the “bullets before cannonballs” approach to innovation.

Human Cooperation Comes From Human Storytelling

Is organized cooperation a uniquely human feature? What is the psychology behind mass human cooperation? Humanity has a much greater ability to communicate and cooperate than any other species. According to Yuval Noah Harari, the ability of humans to cooperate is the result of humanity’s knack for storytelling. Storytelling allowed us to create “imagined orders” which make mass cooperation possible. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of mass human cooperation.

The Rise of Dataism: Digitizing God

What is dataism? What are the implications of an ideology based on the assumption that everything can be converted into data? The term dataism was first used by David Brooks to refer to the philosophical perspective that the universe consists of data streams and that everything—from music to human emotion—can be quantified. More recently, Yuval Noah Harari expanded the term to describe an ideology in which the value of everything is based on its data-processing capabilities. Keep reading to learn about dataism.