The World's Best Book Summaries
What exactly are dreams? What is the science behind dreams? How can scientists research them? In his book Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker discusses dreams from a scientific point of view. He goes over older theories related to dreaming and explains what happens during the REM cycle. Here is what Walker has to say on the science behind dreams.
What are the most common biases? How do those biases affect your ability to make snap decisions? In the book Nudge, the authors discuss the most common biases which are the anchoring bias, the availability bias, the representativeness bias, the status quo bias, and the loss aversion bias. These biases, whether intentionally or not, can skew your judgments. Continue below to learn about each of the most common biases from Nudge.
Do kids and teens need more or less sleep than adults? How much sleep do kids need for optimum cognitive development? In his book Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker discusses the different amounts of sleep the body requires at different stages in life. As it turns out, there can be serious developmental implications if a child doesn’t get enough sleep at night. Here is what Matthew Walker had to say about sleep in children and teens.
Is Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep worth reading? What were the biggest complaints after the book’s publication? Why We Sleep explores every aspect of sleep, including the physical and mental benefits, how sleep works, factors that affect sleep, sleep and development, and more. However, the book was highly criticized after its release due to its research methods and interpretations. Below is a review of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.
Are humans monogamous by nature? What does body-size dimorphism tell us about human sexuality? In their book Sex at Dawn, authors Ryan and Jethá say that the small body size difference between men and women means that humans are meant to be polygamous. However, there are other interpretations of this data. Keep reading to learn what body-size dimorphism between males and females tell us about human sexuality.
What is partible paternity? Do cultures that practice partible paternity prove that humans are naturally promiscuous? In their book Sex at Dawn, authors Ryan and Jethá look to modern foraging societies that practice partible paternity (the idea that more than one man can be the biological father to a child) as evidence that humans are not meant to be monogamous. One group they cited as evidence is known as the Ye’kwana people. Continue below for Ryan and Jethá’s argument about partible paternity and promiscuity.
What can the sociosexual habits of apes teach us about the evolution of human sexuality? Were the authors of Sex at Dawn right to compare the habits of humans and apes? In the book Sex at Dawn, authors Ryan and Jethá say they can disprove the standard narrative of human sexuality by looking at the sociosexual habits of great apes, specifically chimpanzees and bonobos. However, other scientists have questioned Ryan and Jethá’s conclusions. Keep reading for Ryan and Jethá’s findings.
What does male genital anatomy tell us about human sexuality? Is it proof that humans are wired to be polygamous? In their book Sex at Dawn, authors Ryan and Jethá discuss the male genital anatomy in relation to human mating behaviors. They back up their discussion with an examination of female copulatory vocalization. Here are Ryan and Jethá’s arguments.
What does the book Think Like a Rocket Scientist mean by “test as you fly”? How might you use this principle in your life? In Think Like a Rocket Scientist, Ozan Varol explains how rocket scientists test equipment in space-like conditions. Similarly, successful people test ideas and products. Varol shares three criteria for successful tests and two suggestions for testing your ideas rigorously. Keep reading to learn how to think like a rocket scientist and apply the test-as-you-fly principle to your own life, career, or business.
Is bias holding you back from achieving your goals? How can you overcome bias? Everyone has biases of one kind or another. Those who strive to achieve great things have to find a way to overcome bias so that it doesn’t get in the way of clear thinking and action. Author and former rocket scientist Ozan Varol suggests two ways you can get these blind spots out of your way. Read more to learn how to overcome bias.