The World's Best Book Summaries
How does Robert Pirsig define gumption in In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? What does gumption help you achieve? Gumption is a huge part of In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. But how do you define gumption? Pirsig lays out some rules about what it means to have gumption. Keep reading to find out how to define gumption.
What are the two types of thinking? How does Robert Pirsig explain these types of thinking in his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig explains two types of thinking in the world: classical and romantic. He explains how they’re different, and how to live with both. Read more about the two types of thinking in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
What will Heaven be like according to Colton Burpo? Is it how the Bible describes it? If you’ve ever wondered what Heaven will be like, Colton Burpo describes it in detail in Heaven Is for Real. Colton’s father, Pastor Todd Burpo, said that three-year-old Colton somehow knew details about Heaven from the Bible that he had never told him about. Keep reading for the answer to “what will Heaven be like?” as told by Colton Burpo.
Why is deep work fulfilling work? What value can deep work add to your life? Sometimes deep work can feel undirected and aimless because the results aren’t often concrete. However, deep work moves you towards happiness and fulfilment. That is because deep work is satisfying, it has a productive psychological effect, and it provides value. Keep reading to learn why deep work is so fulfilling.
What is purposeful practice? How can it help you break through your natural limits? Why is the phrase, “practice makes perfect” incorrect? Purposeful practice has four distinct components that distinguish it from merely repetitive practice: it has well-defined, specific goals, it demands complete focus, it involves feedback, and it requires you to push beyond your comfort zone. Continue on to learn more about purposeful practice and how you can improve how you practice.
What is the sunk cost effect? Why do we keep following through on projects that stop paying off? The sunk cost effect is a general tendency to continue on an endeavor once considerable resources have been invested into it—even when the costs start to outweigh the benefits. It’s human nature to respond this way—the more you invest, the harder it is to pull the plug on a commitment. Keep reading to learn about the sunk cost effect.
What was the Michael Oher car accident scene in The Blind Side about? Did Oher and SJ really get in an accident? In The Blind Side, Michael Oher gets into a car accident with his younger brother, Sean Junior, in the front seat. Oher was able to save SJ from serious injury by blocking the airbag from hitting him, showing he had strong protective instincts. Read more about Michael Oher, the car accident, and the real story.
How can breaking out of homeostasis help you reach new mental and physical levels? Is it possible to push yourself beyond your limits without burning yourself out? By pushing your body or mind hard enough and long enough, you can “trick” it into using its desire for homeostasis to your advantage. Over time, your body will change in ways that enable you to run that extra mile or lift that extra 50 pounds. The more you push yourself, the more the structure and chemistry of your brain will adapt to breaking out of homeostasis. Keep reading to learn how breaking
What is the problem with nationalism? How does nationalism erode the collective spirit and what are its implications for the world at large? Many people around the world are finding comfort in the identity and community of their nations, but there is a major problem with nationalism. Specifically, nationalism creates an “us” and “them” mentality, which makes it difficult to come together as a global civilization to address collective problems. Keep reading to learn about the problem with nationalism.
What is the difference between the mind vs the brain? How do we know that the contents of the mind are generated by the brain? There is a fine line between the mind vs the brain. The brain is a physical organ, and therefore it can be studied externally, while the mind is the source of subjective experiences, and therefore it can only be observed internally. Experts assume that the mind is a product of the brain, but there’s no proof since you can’t peer into the mind using a brain scanner. Keep reading to learn about the mind vs