Society Archives

Understanding the Psychology of Social Roles

What exactly do psychologists mean by “social roles”? How does adhering to social roles alter behavior? In psychology, social roles refer to behavioral expectations of people of a given social status, relationship, or occupation. One of the most noteworthy findings is that social roles can make people behave very out of character and even override personality dispositions. Keep reading to learn how people’s behavior and relationships are impacted by social roles.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel: Book Overview

What principles are contained in Peter Thiel’s Zero to One? What’s on his checklist for startup success? Some animals have the drive to build things like dams, but only humans have the ability to invent entirely new things. In Zero to One, PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel contends that creating new things is the best way to profit economically as well as the only path to human progress. Read more for an overview of the book Zero to One by Peter Thiel.

Eckhart Tolle: Consciousness Evolution Is Underway

Is humanity moving towards a mass shift of consciousness? How is our collective ego harming the planet? According to Eckhart Tolle, humanity has reached a critical point. We’ve grown so consumed with our collective ego that we can’t see anything past it. We are trapped in the endless cycle of wanting, fueling consumerism, and destroying the planet. In his book A New Earth, Tolle argues that now is the time for consciousness evolution—mass change is necessary today for the survival of humankind and the planet. Here’s why we must act now or else it will be too late.

The Challenge of the Future: Peter Thiel’s Take

What’s the future of the world? What are the main challenges the future holds in store? Peter Thiel likes to ask job candidates what he calls a contrarian question: “What important truth do few people agree with you on?” The best answers provide insight into the future. While most people think that globalization will dictate the world of the future, Thiel believes that technology will. Keep reading for Thiel’s take on the challenge of the future.

Peter Thiel’s Contrarian Question: What’s Your Secret?

What revolutionary truth do you know that no one else agrees with? What discovery could you make if you challenged assumptions? Peter Thiel believes in secrets—truths that no one else has. He contends that there’s more knowledge to be discovered and new opportunities to be explored. But, to find them, we have to believe they exist and look for them. We have to challenge assumptions in order to discover something new. The place to start, he contends, is with the contrarian question. Here’s how Peter Thiel’s contrarian question can help you uncover the secret to success.

The 4 Types of Poverty Traps, Explained

What are the four different types of poverty traps? Is it possible for countries to escape those traps? According to British economist Paul Collier, the four types of poverty traps are the conflict trap, the natural resource trap, being landlocked, and poor governance. These “traps” are why the poorest countries remain poor and struggle to catch up with the developing world. Here’s a detailed look at each kind of poverty trap.

You Are Not a Lottery Ticket: Don’t Rely on Luck

Is business success a matter of luck or planning? If success is just a matter of luck, why bother with planning? There is an ongoing debate in the business community about the relative importance of planning versus luck in determining the success of a venture. For example, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates all attribute their success at least partially to luck. Peter Thiel disagrees. In the chapter titled “You are not a lottery ticket,” he emphasizes the importance of planning and shares four ways of thinking about the future. Here’s why planning should not be underestimated, according to

The Cause of Materialism, According to Eckhart Tolle

What is the main cause of materialism? Why are we so obsessed with owning the best material possessions our money can buy? What are the consequences of being so materially oriented? According to spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, materialism stems from the ego’s fear of being nothing. This fear drives the ego to seek superiority, and accumulating material possessions is one of the ways to attain it. This ego-driven obsession with materialism is what drives consumerism, which depletes resources and pollutes the planet. Here’s what causes materialism, according to Tolle.

Humans and Technology: It’s Not a Competition

Are humans and technology in competition with each other? Can computers do whatever humans can do? Will AI take over the world? According to Peter Thiel, the author of Zero to One, humans and technology don’t compete with each other—they complement each other. In the job market, computers don’t eliminate the need for human workers; they just empower human workers to be more productive. And, in the resource market, computers don’t compete with humans for resources, because computers are not consumers. Here’s why the concern of competition is irrelevant.

Eckhart Tolle: Our Ego Is Destroying the Planet

What is ego consciousness? How is our collective ego destroying the planet? According to Eckhart Tolle, collectively humanity is caught up in the mindless ego consciousness. Because the ego always wants more and better, it drives consumerism, which depletes the planet’s resources at an unsustainable rate. In his book A New Earth, he argues that we must evolve out of this state if we are to preserve our species and the planet, and the critical point is now. Here’s how the ego is destroying the planet and why the time to act is now.

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