The World's Best Book Summaries
What is mental flow? How can you reach a flow state of mind by thinking? There are a multitude of ways you can enter a flow state but one method that’s usually overlooked is through science. It’s possible to enter a mental flow by thinking or manipulating concepts in your mind. Here’s how you can enter a mental flow through science.
What’s entropy like inside a black hole? And how do we know that black holes have entropy in the first place? Jacob Bekenstein suggested that the area of a black hole was itself a measurement of its entropy. But if black holes had entropy, they would have to emit radiation (which was thought impossible at the time). In 1973, Stephen Hawking ran calculations that showed that black holes would indeed create and emit particles. Keep reading to learn more about black hole entropy.
What is an iatrogenic effect? Is this the result of fragile systems? An iatrogenic effect is when harm is caused as a result of a medical treatment or intervention. Sometimes, harm is caused because of the fragile medical system, and humans’ intense need to do something in the face of suffering. Read more about the iatrogenic effect and how human intervention can cause fragility.
What is a singularity? How do singularities form? A singularity is a point in space-time where density, gravity, and space-time curvature are infinite. A black hole singularity is formed when a massive star depletes its reserves of nuclear fuel and starts to contract, eventually collapsing into an infinitely small point of infinite gravity and density. Learn about the concept of singularity, explained in simple terms.
Why do we get attached to someone romantically? What roles do evolution and biology play in attachment? Human attachment is an inescapable fact of biology. In prehistoric times, pairs of humans had a better chance of survival than any solo human, so genetic selection favored people who “attached.” Keep reading to learn more about why we get attached to other people.
Do your experiences with childhood attachment affect your attachment style as an adult? What other factors contribute to your adult attachment style? Psychologists used to believe that your adult attachment style was a direct reflection of your childhood attachment to your parents. However, studies now show that childhood attachment is only one piece of the puzzle. Keep reading to learn why your childhood attachment style doesn’t always follow you to adulthood.
Does birth order affect the psychological make-up of a child? What are some ways firstborn children differ from lastborn? Birth order has a very strong effect on a child’s psychology. Firstborns tend to be more dominant and conscientious, while lastborns— more unconventional and rebellious. Keep reading to learn about birth order psychology.
What are high-level Antifragile examples? How do frequency and intensity of stress affect antifragility? One of the most interesting Antifragile examples is that of antibiotics. While antibiotics should, in theory, wipe out a bacteria population entirely, what actually happens is that some survive and get stronger. Read more about this Antifragile example below.
What is a “secure base” in regards to attachment theory? Why do both children and adults need a secure base in order to thrive? Psychologist Mary Ainsworth found that if a child had a “secure base,” (such as having a parent in the room with them) they felt more confident to explore. More recently, researchers found that adults also crave a secure base, such as a partner or friend, to thrive. Keep reading to learn more about the psychology of having a secure base.
What is simulated annealing? Can a simulated annealing example help you understand how societies can be antifragile? Annealing is a process used to make metals stronger and improve impurities. Inspired by this process, mathematicians created a process called simulated annealing, which evaluates systems and finds ways to improve. Author Nassim Nicholas Taleb proposes that we can apply this process to politics as well. Keep reading for a simulated annealing example that can help explain antifragility.