How Pseudo-Connections Fuel Tech Addiction (Adam Alter)

A person who has a pseudo connection with a YouTuber, watching them on their computer

What’s a pseudo-connection? Why is it a danger to your mental health? As humans, we care about what other people think of us because, evolutionarily speaking, their support improves our chances of survival. Adam Alter suggests that much modern technology, from social media to video games, appeals to this aspect of the human psyche because it champions pseudo-connections. Discover more about pseudo-connections and the harm they’re causing to our lives.

How to Know a Person: Book Overview (David Brooks)

A woman reading a book in a coffee shop at a table

What’s How to Know a Person by David Brooks about? How can we rebuild connections as human beings? In How to Know a Person, New York Times columnist David Brooks argues that our ability to truly understand and connect with others is in crisis. Brooks contends that by rediscovering the lost art of “knowing” people, we can bridge divides, foster empathy, and rebuild our moral character. Read below for a brief How to Know a Person book overview.

What Does It Mean to Know Someone? David Brooks Explains

A black and white watercolor painting of a man and woman facing each other, showing what it means to know someone

Do know someone who feels lonely and unseen? What does it mean to know someone? David Brooks says that many of us feel unacknowledged, unseen, and unloved. But he argues that we feel this way because we’ve lost the skill of getting to know one another deeply—and making each other feel known. Below, we’ll look at how you can make other people feel appreciated and acknowledged.

Replace People Who Don’t Support You With Encouragers

A smiling woman standing against a wall next to a large painted smiley face illustrates avoiding people who don’t support you

Why do some friends and family members try to discourage your ambitious goals? What can you do when the people closest to you aren’t in your corner? Success requires more than just hard work and determination—it demands a supportive environment. The wisdom found in The Boron Letters (Gary and Bond Halbert) reveals why certain relationships might be holding you back and offers guidance on surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision. Keep reading to discover how to build a network that elevates your goals instead of diminishing them.

Everyone Has Value: Here’s How to Remind Them

Three people showing that everyone has value, wearing gold medals

Does everyone have value? How can you recognize someone’s worth to make them feel loved? To get to know someone deeply, you must recognize each person’s great worth as a human being. David Brooks emphasizes that this is crucial even when you’ve just met a person or expect to never see them again. Take a look at how you should remind someone that they’re worthy.

Ed Mylett on Relationships: How to Build Your Inner Circle

Four friends—two men and two women—smiling and standing close to each other illustrate your inner circle relationships

What does your inner circle say about who you are and where you’re headed? How can you build relationships with people who will help you reach your full potential? According to Ed Mylett, relationships are crucial to your success in life. Your inner circle shapes everything from your daily habits to your long-term achievements, which is why choosing these relationships carefully can transform your life. Keep reading to discover how to build meaningful connections that will elevate your personal and professional growth.

The 2 Biggest Reasons Why You Should Get to Know Someone

Two people getting to know each other by talking on the street

Why is getting to know someone so vital to our well-being? How can you improve your moral character and society at the same time? According to David Brooks, there are two reasons why getting know people is important. Knowing other people is a moral act that helps us develop our character as individuals, and it’s also a social act that can help us reverse negative changes in the modern world. Let’s take a closer look at both of these ideas. 

The Biopsychosocial Model of Health (Explanation & Benefits)

There are three circles, one contains a man flexing, one contains a brain, and one contains two people, representing the biopsychosocial model of health

How is the biopsychosocial model of health different from the biomedical model? What holistic healing practices can you try? Physician and trauma expert Gabor Maté says that the biopsychosocial model is much more effective than the traditional biomedical model when it comes to healthcare. The biopsychosocial model takes thoughts, feelings, social interactions, and environment into account when it comes to health. Here’s Maté’s argument for the biopsychosocial model for health and healing.

How to Make Someone Feel Seen and Truly Heard

A man flashing a light on another person, showing how to make someone feel seen

Do you want to make people feel seen? How can you appear interested in what people are sharing with you? David Brooks explains that it’s crucial to interact with others in ways that show them you appreciate them and want to understand them. This involves several skills you can practice every day, such as being open to what people share with you. Here’s how Brooks recommends learning how to make someone feel seen.