The World's Best Book Summaries
What exactly is “toxic masculinity”? In what ways can masculinity be toxic? According to Richard Cooper, there isn’t really such as thing as “toxic masculinity.” The idea that anything too masculine is harmful is a lie. Rather, it’s a lack of masculinity that is the problem. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of toxic masculinity and why it’s a lie, according to Cooper.
Why do so many people end up in suboptimal relationships? What qualities should you look for in a potential partner to maximize your chances of having the relationship you want? There are two reasons people struggle to look for the right qualities in a romantic partner. First, we tend to prioritize immediate benefits over future benefits. Second, we assume that whatever gets our attention is more important than what doesn’t. When dating, these tendencies make us pursue the wrong people. Here’s what to look for in a relationship to increase your chances of finding a long-term partner.
Should feedback be given in public? What kind of feedback does a new employee need? What impact does feedback have on the emotional part of the brain? Feedback is inherently stressful. Criticism usually comes from an authority figure who has the power to make changes in your life. Even if the criticism is intended to be constructive, an employee’s brain is going to immediately prepare the body for the threat of a major change. Continue reading for David Rock’s advice on how to give feedback to employees in a way that reduces stress.
What kind of women should you avoid dating? What are some red flags you should look out for in the women you date? Dating the wrong woman can bring a host of problems into your life. As such, every man must learn how to identify whether a woman is bad for him. To that end, Richard Cooper, the author of The Unplugged Alpha, presents several warning signs that you should look out for when dating. Keep reading for the types of women to avoid, according to Cooper.
Where does talent come from? Are we born with talent? In The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle goes beyond the nature versus nurture debate and digs into the science of skill-building to answer the question. Coyle says that while we’re not born with talent, there is a science behind developing it. Keep reading to learn where talent comes from.
Do people with similar personalities get along? Why is it a bad idea to date someone similar to you in every way? Dating someone just like you may seem like a good idea, but it’s not. A relationship between similar personalities has no room for growth. Instead, you should look for someone who has a complementary personality—similar enough to get along yet different enough to challenge you. Here’s why dating your like is a bad idea.
Are humans monogamous? And if we aren’t biologically monogamous, why is modern society structured as though we are? According to Richard Cooper, monogamy is a toxic lie that we’ve been led to believe. Both men and women are highly promiscuous, but this promiscuity manifests differently in the sexes due to their different biological goals. Here’s why monogamy is a lie, according to Richard Cooper.
Can you regulate your nervous system through respiration? How can breathwork help you calm down—or stimulate—your mind? The respiratory system is an opening through which we can consciously influence other autonomic functions. In computer terms, the lungs provide an exploit that we can use to control parts of our bodies that we wouldn’t otherwise have access to, such as the nervous system. Here’s how you can hack your nervous system by breathing.
What’s the best virtue? What’s the worst sin? Why? According to C. S. Lewis, humility is the most important Christian virtue. Its opposite—pride—is the greatest sin. In his classic book, Mere Christianity, Lewis explains why pride is so dangerous. Keep reading for a brief discussion of humility and pride from Lewis’s perspective, along with an explanation of the difference between pride and self-esteem, as understood by psychologists.
What are your goals in life? How do you keep pushing forward toward your most ambitious goals in spite of the setbacks that get in the way? The first step to reaching your goals is to know what you actually want: You can’t reach a destination if you don’t know where you are heading. From there, it’s all about riding the momentum. With this in mind, here’s how to reach your goals in four simple (but not so easy) steps.