The World's Best Book Summaries
How do city sounds and the sight of strangers affect people? How is rain a mood booster? Modern cities offer us many benefits. But, urban environments have removed us from the discomforts of the natural world that we belong to, and this has a variety of harmful consequences. Read on to learn Michael Easter’s research on the disadvantages of urban life and the benefits of getting back to nature.
Does everyone have a learning style that’s most effective for them? What’s the current scientific understanding of the way we learn? Not long ago, the idea of learning styles was all the rage in education. Now, teachers are going in a different direction based on what research shows. Continue reading to learn about the myth of learning styles.
What’s the best way to fight inequality in society? Why are some people anti-science? Why didn’t pure deconstructive postmodernism last longer? Over the last few decades, advocates for social justice on the left have become increasingly radical and authoritarian in their beliefs and methods. That’s the view expressed by Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay in their book Cynical Theories. Read more to understand their argument and to learn what they promote as an alternative to the Social Justice Movement.
Does your business have an innovation roadmap? Do you have a growth target and a plan to reach it? In Lead From the Future, business strategists Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz walk you through the creation of your business’s vision. Then, they provide three steps to convert that vision into a strategy that will bring your vision to life. Read more to learn how to create a business strategy with Johnson and Suskewicz’s advice.
Do you complain more than you express gratitude? Have you lost hope? Life is hard. Sometimes, it’s excruciating. Jordan Peterson wants to help you rise above suffering and find strength and thankfulness in the face of life’s inevitable hardships. With Beyond Order Rule 12, he urges you to be grateful in spite of your suffering. Keep reading to learn how to practice this difficult but transforming attitude.
Do you have a sedentary lifestyle? Do you suffer from back pain? Would you like to find a simple, inexpensive way to exercise? According to Michael Easter, rucking is an excellent exercise that nearly anyone can do. Our exercise levels have progressively decreased as innovations have made movement increasingly obsolete for our survival. So, Easter suggests we return to the ways of our ancestors who carried heavy loads. Read more to learn about the benefits of rucking and how this exercise can improve your well-being.
How did the Opium Wars impact the US? What opened up China to foreign trade and missionaries? Has the relationship between the US and China ever been good? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. In The Avoidable War, Kevin Rudd explains that today’s situation is best understood in its historical context. Continue reading for an illuminating history of US-China relations.
How much does your mindset affect your ability to learn? Do you know the good news about neuroplasticity? If you want to learn anything well, you must adopt a learner’s mindset, which is basically a growth mindset toward learning. We’ll discuss the characteristics of a learner’s mindset, the scientific basis behind it, and the practical steps and benefits of adopting one yourself. Read more to understand a learner’s mindset and the difference it makes.
How should senior leadership be involved in innovation projects? How should you handle integrating new initiatives into your core business? In Lead From the Future, business strategists Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz explore the steps of future-back thinking (visionary planning). They show how you can adopt the process to improve outcomes for your business. Keep reading for Johnson and Suskewicz’s advice on how to implement a business strategy with an eye always on the future.
Do some memories haunt you? How are they holding you back? If old memories still upset you, write them down carefully and completely. That’s Beyond Order Rule 9 from Jordan Peterson. He explains how this is an effective way to begin to process the traumas you’ve experienced. Keep reading to learn how to heal from your past with Peterson’s method.