The World's Best Book Summaries
What is social comparison bias? Why do we constantly compare ourselves to others? Social comparison bias is the feeling of competitiveness and dislike towards someone who is perceived to be better than you. According to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, social comparison bias forms from group membership. Keep reading to learn about social comparison bias.
What is association bias? Why does association bias occur? Association fallacy (or association bias) is the brain’s tendency to make connections where none exist. This phenomenon is a defense mechanism: making associations allows you to evaluate risk when making decisions. Keep reading to learn about association fallacy, why it occurs, and how to overcome it.
What are cognitive errors? Why does the brain make these errors, and how can you override them? Humans have evolved to pay attention to the most memorable or flashy information that comes up, rather than the most pertinent or helpful. The more conspicuous and repeated a piece of information is, the more you’ll believe it. Although it saves the brain’s resources (it takes less time and energy to accept the flashiest information), it results in cognitive errors—faulty ways of thinking that are often inaccurate and/or irrational. Here are some of the most common cognitive errors that result from the brain’s
What is the root cause of human unhappiness? Why do so many people feel unhappy despite having everything they need? According to Dalai Lama, the root cause of human unhappiness stems from misunderstanding—many people don’t really understand where their emotions—both positive and negative—stem from. The solution, he counsels, is to educate yourself both about your emotions and the circumstances that give rise to them. Here is what Dalai Lama has to say about the main reason for unhappiness and what to do about it.
What is the 37% rule? How can employing the 37% rule help you make better decisions? The 37% rule is designed to solve something mathematicians call an “optimal stopping problem”—something we often encounter in daily life when faced with a series of options. The 37% can help you settle down and commit to the opportunity in front of you if you don’t know what opportunities will be available in the future. Here is how the 37% rule settle on a decision and signal when to stop searching for something better.
What role does acknowledgment play in communication? How do you acknowledge the speaker’s message without interrupting their turn to speak? Acknowledgment is an extremely important part of human communication, and it’s one that we often overlook. Recent research in the field of linguistics has put renewed focus on “backchannels,” a listener’s short interjections that acknowledge a speaker’s message without ending their turn to speak. Here is why acknowledgment is the key to smooth communication.
Do you practice spirituality? Is it true that people who practice spirituality tend to be happier than those who don’t? There is a strong positive correlation between practicing spirituality and happiness. Studies have shown that those who have spirituality or religion in their lives tend to be happier and less depressed and anxious than those who don’t. Keep reading to learn about the importance of spirituality.
Why is it so difficult to make decisions? Do you often regret your decisions, thinking you should have known better? Decision-making is a cognitively taxing process, especially when the future is uncertain and the stakes are high. But it doesn’t have to be this way. According to Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths, humans already have all the tools to make smart decisions. In their book Algorithms to Live By, they explain how to make better decisions using computer algorithms. Let’s take a look at four algorithms intended to help you make better decisions.
Is it possible to find lasting happiness? Can true lasting happiness be found externally? Lasting happiness is a mindset you build and isn’t contingent upon external characteristics, like wealth or status. Such factors can’t confer lasting happiness. You see this in daily life: when something great happens, like a promotion, you’re temporarily elated but soon return to your normal level of contentment. Similarly, if you suffer a setback, like a breakup, the negative feelings wear off. Here is why lasting happiness is a mindset that requires deliberate effort to cultivate.
Why do so many people suffer from FOMO? What do you think causes FOMO? Information overload and “fear of missing out” may rank among the biggest contributors to chronic indecision. In their book Algorithms to Live By, Christian and Griffiths compare FOMO to a modem bufferbloat that slows down internet connection. Like their home modems, people who suffer from FOMO feel as if they have to do everything that’s expected of them and assume that there’s something wrong with rejecting a good opportunity. Here is how to deal with FOMO by adopting the mindset of JOMO (the joy of missing