The World's Best Book Summaries
When and how did human language begin? Why did language develop in the first place? In The Language Instinct, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate, biological ability in humans—not just an element of human culture that gets passed from person to person. He discusses the theorized origin of human language—the when, the how, and the why. Read more to learn about the possibilities of this fascinating subject.
Do you have something to celebrate? How do you plan a party? In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that what you do before the gathering is just as important as what you do during the gathering itself. She shares five essential tips: Identify the reason, curate your guest list, select a venue, create directives, and set expectations. Let’s look at how to plan a party, using Parker’s five tips.
Is language innate, or do we learn it from our environment? Is grammar universal? What clues do certain medical conditions give us? Steven Pinker argues in favor of the innatist theory, arguing that language is an innate, biological ability in humans. He contends that, just like the chameleon’s ability to camouflage itself or the falcon’s high-speed flight, the ability to produce and interpret complex language is an evolved human superpower. Read more to learn why Pinker believes that language is not just an element of human culture that gets passed from person to person.
What is the importance of social gatherings? Why do you need a reason to have gatherings? Before you plan your gathering, whether it’s a formal meeting or party, you need to understand why it’s important to have one. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker contends that the first thing you should do when planning your gathering is to identify the reason, or “purpose,” for which you’re gathering. Continue reading if you want to learn the importance of your social gathering.
How do children acquire language? At what point do our language acquisition skills diminish? Steven Pinker believes that human language is biologically innate. His theory provides a key insight into the field of linguistics. It explains why children have the ability to rapidly acquire language. Keep reading to discover why children are linguistic geniuses.
What are pop-up rules? Why do you need to create directives when planning an event? According to Priya Parker in her book The Art of Gathering, pop-up rules (or “clear directives” as Priya calls them) are specific instructions about how you’d like your guests to behave during the event. For example, this could be a particular type of dish they should bring. Let’s look at why pop-up rules make or break an event.
What’s pidgin? Why and how does it come about? What’s a creole? Steven Pinker contends that language is biologically innate. The innatist theory provides a key insight into the field of linguistics: It explains the ability of people to spontaneously create new languages. Pinker uses pidgin as an example to illustrate this ability. Keep reading to learn the origin of pidgin and what it tells us about human abilities.
What is the appropriate way to act at a party? Should guests refrain from creating heated disagreements at gatherings? When attending or hosting a party, many people think there’s a certain way they should act to not damper the mood. However, The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker suggests three rules that will help hosts and guests loosen up a bit so everyone can have fun. Discover how to act at a party without having to meet certain expectations.
Do you ever use the word “hangry”? Do you think you should or shouldn’t? Do you take a functional or a purist approach to language? In The Language Instinct, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate, biological ability in humans—not just an element of human culture that gets passed from person to person. His theory explains his openness to language innovation. Continue reading to discover why, according to Pinker, we shouldn’t be afraid to toss out arbitrary grammar conventions.
What is Nostr? How is Nostr different than traditional social media? What does distributed social media mean? New, decentralized social media platforms have the potential to reduce online censorship and spam, redefine online advertising, and normalize bitcoin use—potentially stabilizing bitcoin’s value. Nostr is a protocol that can act as a platform for decentralized social media. Read on to learn what Nostr is, how it works, and if it has the potential to revolutionize social media.