Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Why the Rapid Advancement of Technology Is Exponential

When was the last time you upgraded your phone? How different is it from the previous version? Ray Kurzweil predicts a point in the future when technological progress will be so great that, for all practical purposes, it will appear infinite. We have to use our imagination to picture a world with such dramatic rates of change, but Kurzweil started looking at this in the 1970s. Read more to learn about the exponential nature of the rapid advancement of technology.

Elon Musk’s Early Career: How He Made His First Fortune

What did Elon Musk study in college? Why didn’t he get an advanced degree? How did he become a millionaire? From the start, Elon Musk intuited a path that would align his skills and interests with his later successes in life. He used a solid educational grounding to create not one, but two successful software companies that propelled him to millionaire status. Read more to learn about Elon Musk’s early career.

Should Parents Apologize to Their Kids When They Mess Up?

Should parents apologize when they make mistakes? If so, how? What difference does it make for your children? As a parent, you’re the top role model for your kids. While you’d like to be perfect, you’re not. You might want your kids to think you’re perfect, but that sort of unrealistic perspective harms them more than it helps them. Read more to learn why it’s important for you and your children that you own up to your mistakes and make amends.

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson: Book Overview & Takeaways

What was Elon Musk’s childhood like? How did he start his career? What’s his management style? Walter Isaacson followed Elon Musk around for two years, gaining intimate access to his thoughts and activities. He interviewed those closest to him, including people now cut off from Musk’s circle. Musk exerted no editorial control, letting Isaacson draw his own conclusions. Continue reading for an overview of Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson.

What Is the Technological Singularity? Ray Kurzweil Explains

What is the technological Singularity? What’s the Catch-22 about our ability to understand it? According to computer scientist Ray Kurzweil, the Singularity of technology could lead to a future in which we use genetics to reprogram the body, we have the power to digitally augment our brains, and we even live forever. He explains this exponential progress in The Singularity Is Near. Keep reading to understand this profound technological shift that could change everything.

The Importance of Positive Self-Talk: Sage Advice for Parents

How do you talk to and about yourself? Do you notice when you do it in front of your kids? How you speak to and about yourself impacts your children, for good or for bad. According to psychotherapist and mother Philippa Perry, your self-talk has a big impact on your child’s relationship with themself. Keep reading to understand the importance of positive self-talk for both you and your kids.

Ray Kurzweil’s Predictions for the Biotechnology Revolution

What are designer drugs? Can DNA rewrite itself? What if we could grow our own replacement organs? In The Singularity Is Near, Ray Kurzweil makes predictions about technology in several areas. One field he addresses is biotechnology, in which advances in medicine and genetic engineering will dramatically extend the human lifespan while at the same time improving the quality of life. Continue reading to learn about Kurzweil’s predictions about the biotechnology revolution and where progress actually stands today.

Elon Musk and Tesla: Steps Toward an Energy-Efficient Future

Why did Elon Musk start Tesla? Why did he sometimes sleep on the factory floor? Renowned biographer Walter Isaacson covers the story of Elon Musk and Tesla in his book Elon Musk. Isaacson details how Musk entered the automotive industry with Tesla, based all of its production inside the US, and pushed its technology in the direction of fully automated, self-driving cars. Keep reading to learn about Elon Musk and Tesla.

How Parents Can Model Healthy Conflict Resolution for Children

How well do you handle disagreements with others? What are your children learning from you when it comes to conflict resolution? Disagreements are unavoidable in life. What matters is how we handle them when they arise. Conflict resolution is a valuable life skill, and kids need to learn early on how to settle disputes with others in a way that’s a relational win for everyone involved. Continue reading to learn how to model healthy conflict resolution for children.

Ray Kurzweil: Nanobots Could Reshape the World as We Know It

What are nanobots? How might they change the world? Where is nanobot technology today? According to Ray Kurzweil, nanobots could make sweeping changes in manufacturing and medicine. He explains how nanotechnology has the potential to overturn our entire materials-based economy and even eliminate scarcity. Read more to learn about nanobot technology and what Kurzweil sees in our future.