Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

The Importance of Technology in Society: Advice for Policymakers

What if everyone in the world had internet access? What if the world had more researchers and scientists? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella daydreams like this. He envisions a world in which technology advances freely and benefits everyone. To that end, he offers some advice to policymakers in his book Hit Refresh as he discusses the importance of technology in society. Read more to learn what could be done—and what the world could be like in the future.

Live in the Real World: Sage Advice From the Stoics

Do you embrace life with all of its flaws, or do you pretend they aren’t there? Are you practical, or are you fanciful? Philosophers might be accused of living in abstraction, pontificating on life while detached from its realities. The Stoics, though, believed that life isn’t something you just talk about; it’s meant to be lived in stark reality. Read more to learn how the Stoics urge us to live in the real world.

Stop-and-Frisk Policy: A White Man’s Perspective

Is the stop-and-frisk policy racist? How thoroughly have you thought about it? James O’Brien believes that, as a white man, he was relatively uninformed about race and racism for much of his life. The more he learned, the more his eyes were opened, and he came to regard his beliefs about things such as stop-and-frisk as wrong. Keep reading to learn about O’Brien’s journey of prejudice and awareness.

Is BLM Marxist? Levin Connects Marx, BLM, & CRT

Is BLM Marxist? Does the movement encourage revolution? What’s the connection to Critical Race Theory? Mark Levin claims that social justice movements and organizations such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) are promoting Marxist ideologies that encourage the overthrow of American society. He discusses these movements in his book American Marxism and warns about the dangerous consequences of their agenda. Continue reading to understand Levin’s argument.

Satya Nadella: Empathy Is the Cornerstone of Life & Work

How did Satya Nadella deal with his son’s disabilities? How did he apply those lessons to the rest of his life and career? The theme that is the most central to Satya Nadella’s business philosophy is empathy. For Nadella, empathy is the cornerstone of all that he does, both personally and professionally, and he believes that it’s shaped his career at Microsoft and his vision for the company. Keep reading to learn how Nadella developed empathy and why it’s so important to him.

Humans and Machines: Microsoft’s Approach to AI

What concerns should we have about artificial intelligence? What do we need to keep in mind as the relationship between humans and machines advances? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is fascinated by artificial intelligence (AI). In his book Hit Refresh, he discusses the three principles behind Microsoft’s approach to AI, acknowledging that AI will become more and more a part of our lives. Continue reading to learn about Microsoft’s AI philosophy.

What Is the Protestant Work Ethic? The Making of a Lifestyle

What is the Protestant work ethic? Why is American culture so focused on “hustle” and productivity, in contrast to many European nations’ laid-back attitudes? As far back as the 1600s, Anglo-American Protestants ceased the traditional lifestyle of working just enough to sustain their lives. They began to work harder, longer, and more systematically than anyone had before. In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber explores the reasons behind this change. Continue reading to learn how and why Protestants broke away from the traditional economic lifestyle and blazed a new trail.

What Is a Liberal Arts Education? The Ideal College Experience

What is a liberal arts education? How does it differ from programs that emphasize career development? According to William Deresciewicz, an ideal college experience benefits both individuals and society. He argues that a high-quality college education is a liberal arts program that nurtures students’ self-insight and equips them with the skills to uphold democracy. Continue reading to learn what a liberal arts education is and why Deresciewicz thinks it’s ideal.

Stoic Self-Control: 4 Ways to Be the Captain of Your Ship

If your life were a ship, would you be the captain or a passenger? Are you in control, or are you just along for the ride? In The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman say that self-control is central to the Stoic way of living. They explain that you can control your view of life in four ways: recognize what you can and can’t control, notice yourself, be mindful of your emotions, and see your assumptions. Read more to learn four ways to live with Stoic self-control.

Unresolved Trauma in Adults: James O’Brien’s Story

If you experience trauma in childhood, how might that affect you as an adult? What’s a “survival personality”? In How Not to Be Wrong, James O’Brien tells how the trauma he experienced as a child shaped his life as an adult. We compare O’Brien’s perspectives to those found in books such as What Happened to You? and The Body Keeps the Score, which take a more clinical approach to some of the same issues. Keep reading for a discussion of unresolved trauma in adults, starting with O’Brien’s own experience.