Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

The Problem With Nationalism: Us Versus Them

What is the problem with nationalism? How does nationalism erode the collective spirit and what are its implications for the world at large? Many people around the world are finding comfort in the identity and community of their nations, but there is a major problem with nationalism. Specifically, nationalism creates an “us” and “them” mentality, which makes it difficult to come together as a global civilization to address collective problems. Keep reading to learn about the problem with nationalism.

The History of Airbnb: From Seedling to Juggernaut

What is the history of Airbnb? How did the company grow from a seedling to a billion-dollar juggernaut? The history of Airbnb is a success story of an unassuming start-up started by two housemates who, strapped for cash, were looking for a “way to make a few bucks.” Little did they know that they were to become the founders of one of the most valued companies in the world. Read about the history of Airbnb from 2007 to 2016.

The Fine Line Between the Mind vs the Brain

What is the difference between the mind vs the brain? How do we know that the contents of the mind are generated by the brain? There is a fine line between the mind vs the brain. The brain is a physical organ, and therefore it can be studied externally, while the mind is the source of subjective experiences, and therefore it can only be observed internally. Experts assume that the mind is a product of the brain, but there’s no proof since you can’t peer into the mind using a brain scanner. Keep reading to learn about the mind vs

Emergent Intelligence: The Source of Creative Solutions

What is emergent intelligence? What are some real-world examples of the emergent intelligence phenomenon? Emergent intelligence is the way intelligent properties come to be as a result of the interactivity of many low-level processes. Some examples of emergence include the ant colony structure, the free market economy, and the human consciousness. Keep reading to understand emergent intelligence.

The 90 Percent Rule: Make Faster Decisions

What is the 90 percent rule of decision-making? How can it help you filter through the available options and make a decision faster? The 90 percent rule is a simple yet ruthless technique for making decisions. It involves identifying the most important criterion for deciding, rating each available option between 0 and 100 percent on that criterion, and then rejecting any option that rates lower than 90 percent. Read about the 90 percent rule of decision-making and how to implement it.

The 12 Week Year: Book About Getting Things Done

What is The 12 Week Year book about? How do the authors challenge the annualized goal-setting approach? What alternative do they propose? In The 12 Week Year, the book’s authors challenge the conventional approach to goal setting and execution that is based on annualized thinking—where execution plans are aimed at attaining yearly results. Further, they propose an alternative approach that is based on the principle of periodization— achieving yearly results within a three-month timeframe. Keep reading to understand the premise behind Brian Moran and Michael Lennington’s book The 12 Week Year.

AI & Decision-Making: From Free Will to Algorithms

How is AI changing decision-making? What decisions are already made with the help of AI technology? Can reliance on AI for decision-making cause us to lose our freedom and abilities to make our own choices? Although in its infancy, AI is already changing the way we make decisions. For example, institutions already use algorithms to decide which loan applicants to approve or deny. Going forward, AI decision-making capabilities can easily allow us to make personal decisions, such as where to go to college, which career to pursue, and who to marry. Keep reading for more about AI and decision-making.

The History of Uber: The Timeline of Uber Expansion

What is the history of Uber? How did the company grow from a small side project into the international ride-hailing empire? The history of Uber dates back to November 2008, when Garrett Camp registers UberCab as an LLC in California. A month later, Camp meets Travis Kalanick, who ends up moving to SF from Chicago to run Uber as its co-founding CEO. Read about the history of Uber from 2007 to 2016.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: Death of the AQI Leader

Who is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? What was the sequence of events that has lead to his capture? What does Zarqawi’s death mean for the insurgency? Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was the leader of Al Qaeda franchise in Iraq (AQI). He is regarded as one of the most destructive militants in the history of the Sectarian conflict. Zarqawi’s death became an important military and symbolic event in the history of fighting against the terrorist insurgency. Read about the sequence of events that has lead to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s death.

Finding Your Purpose in Life: Ask Yourself This

What is your purpose in life? Have you already decided on what you want to accomplish in your lifetime? Why is finding your purpose important? A surprising number of people can’t answer the question of what their purpose is. Many don’t have the slightest idea of where they see themselves in the next five years. But finding your purpose in life is not rocket science. All you need to do is ask yourself these two questions: 1) what’s the one thing I want to be the absolute best at? and 2) what will success look like? Read about the importance