Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

Jay Sullivan’s Tips for a Good Slide Presentation

What makes an effective presentation? What are some things you should keep in mind when putting together a slideshow? An effective presentation is one that’s put together with the audience in mind. If you are creating slides, simplify things as much as possible: make sure the text is easy to read and digest, minimize distractions (e.g. animated slide transitions), and avoid superfluous language. Here are a few useful tips for a good presentation.

What Is Love, According to Plato’s Symposium?

What is love, according to Plato’s Symposium? How does each of the Symposium speakers define love? Plato’s Symposium is a fourth-hand account of a philosophical dialogue that takes place between characters from fourth century BCE Athens at a party. Each character gives a speech, attempting to answer the question “What is love?” Let’s examine the main arguments of each speech regarding the nature of love.

What Is Social Learning? The Reason Humans Survived

What is social learning? How does the ability to learn through imitation help Homo sapiens endure? Social learning is learning through imitation. According to Rutger Bregman, the author of Humankind, humans’ capacity for social learning was instrumental in the survival of our species. He argues that social learning is the key factor that made Homo sapiens survive and Neanderthals (who were bigger and stronger) die out. Keep reading to learn about the role of social learning in human survival.

Seeking Validation From Others: Why It’s a Problem

Do you tend to get upset when people don’t acknowledge or validate you? Do you often try to make other people happy at the expense of your own happiness? When your sense of self-worth depends solely on the positive feedback you receive from others, you become dependent on external validation. Inevitably, you often fail to receive the feedback you want. And, each time you fail, you assume that it’s because you’re inadequate in some way—if other people don’t feel you deserve their positive feedback, then you won’t believe you deserve it. Here’s how seeking validation from others impacts your self-esteem.

Effective Listening: A Vital Skill for Life

Are you a good listener? Why is listening more important than talking? People want to be heard. We want to feel like someone cares about what we have to say. Therefore, effective listening is a skill that’s vital for both business and life. Not only does it help us understand the other person better, but it helps them understand us better as well. Here’s how to listen well, according to communication expert Jay Sullivan.

Plato’s Symposium: Agathon’s Speech

What does Agathon say about love in Plato’s Symposium? Why does Socrates disagree with Agathon? In Symposium, Agathon’s speech centers on Eros, the god of love, endowing him with three characteristics: Eros is beloved, Eros is an artist, and Eros is good. Socrates, however, disagrees with Agathon, arguing that Eros is a lover rather than a beloved. Let’s examine the main ideas of Agathon’s description of Eros, as well as Socrates’s rebuttal and alternative description.

The Killer Ape Theory: Are Humans Violent by Nature?

What is the Killer Ape Theory? Are humans violent by nature? According to the Killer Ape Theory, aggression and violence are what propelled human evolution, distinguishing our ancestors from other primates. The theory gained notoriety for suggesting that humans were aggressive by nature. However, not all scientists are unanimous in this opinion. According to Rutger Bregman, the author of Humankind, more recent evidence suggests that human nature is peaceful and cooperative. Here’s why the Killer Ape Theory is moot, according to Bregman.

Where Do Thoughts Come From?

Where do thoughts come from? Why do you think about the world the way you do? Are your beliefs and opinions actually your own? While you might believe that you consciously control your thoughts, you’re often not conscious of your thoughts or why you think them. This is because you never consciously chose the thoughts you habitually think or the beliefs that reinforce them. Rather, you subconsciously adopted the thoughts and beliefs of your family, your friends, and your culture. Here’s why you don’t have complete autonomy over the way you think and how this impacts the way you interpret

How to Manage Your Voice in Public Speaking

What kind of voice should you use during public speaking? How loud should you speak? What about speed? Managing your voice in public speaking is one of the hardest things about it, especially if you have little experience speaking for a large audience. Many beginner speakers practice saying their script but pay little attention to their voice, which is where things tend to go awry. Here are some tips for managing your voice in public speaking.

Diotima and Socrates: Love as Eros

What does Socrates say about love in Plato’s Symposium? Why does Socrates cite Diotima in his discussion of love? Socrates’s speech mainly consists of him recounting a past conversation he had with a wise woman named Diotima. Diotima, he says, taught him everything he knows about love. Socrates (and perhaps Plato through him) uses Diotima to appeal to the perceived feminine “expertise” in his arguments, scholars suggest. Let’s examine Diotima’s explanation—but keep in mind Socrates is actually the person present and speaking at the party.