The World's Best Book Summaries
Why do people give to others? Are humans inherently altruistic? Or do we help others for personal gain? In his book Give and Take, Adam Grant discusses the age-old question: are humans inherently selfish? He presents studies that were done on the subject and looks at popular apps like Freecycle to see if he can gain some insight into the truth. Keep reading to learn why people give, according to Adam Grant.
What was the tulip craze? How could flowers become so valuable in such a short space of time? The tulip craze in 17th-century Holland is widely known as the very first economic bubble. The price of tulips escalated so much that people sold their valuables to buy tulips, and could buy assets like houses with them. This might seem absurd, but here’s an explanation of what happened. Learn more about the tulip craze below.
What is guaranteed basic income? What are the objections to universal income? Guaranteed basic income is a practice where the government pays each citizen a bare minimum wage every year. The hope is that the guaranteed income will remove the constant worry for survival that leads to depression. Critics have objected on the grounds that it will be very expensive and will make people lazy. Read on to learn more about the advantages and criticisms of guaranteed basic income.
Why does being disconnected from nature lead to depression? Why are modern humans less connected to nature? Humans have an innate desire to stay in touch with nature because we evolved outside, doing the physical work of hunting, building shelters, and connecting with the natural world. Depression can set in when we start feeling disconnected from nature. Read on to learn more about the dangers of feeling disconnected from nature.
Are you looking for Fooled by Randomness quotes? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In Fooled by Randomness, former options trader Nassim Nicholas Taleb examines the outsized role luck plays in success, why people don’t generally understand luck, and how we can accommodate randomness in our lives once we’re aware of it. While Taleb primarily focuses on examples from the world of investing, his principles demonstrate how we’re fooled by randomness in many aspects of our lives. Below is a selection of Fooled by Randomness quotes with explanations.
What is a speculative bubble? How has irrational optimism caused some of the biggest stock market crashes in history? A speculative bubble is a sudden rise in stock price fuelled by public speculation and unfounded optimism. From the tulipmania of 17th Century Holland to the more recent “dot-com” crash, speculative bubbles have led to some of history’s biggest financial disasters. When it comes to speculative bubbles, some get lucky but most are left holding the bag. Learn about speculative bubbles below.
Are you constantly analyzing yourself? Do you try to avoid or repress negative emotions? Do you feel powerless in your life? If you answered yes to these questions, you need to learn how to be more resilient. In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown offers four strategies for building resilience that will lead to a better mental state and more happiness in your life. Continue reading for Brené Brown’s advice on how to be more resilient.
Are you on a journey of self-discovery? Do you want to find yourself and your identity? According to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, the idea of “finding oneself” may actually be counterintuitive. Author Mark Manson says that labeling yourself puts you in a box and limits your opportunities and growth. Instead, Manson says, you should let go of your identity altogether. Keep reading to learn why Mark Manson says you should stop labeling your identity.
What is the relationship between socioeconomic status and depression? Why are highly unequal societies more likely to have higher rates of depression? Socioeconomic status and depression are intertwined because an individual with a low or threatened social status is more likely to feel depressed. This problem is particularly acute in highly unequal societies. Those at the lower rung of the ladder are depressed because of their status, while high-status people feel depressed from the thought of falling down the ladder. Read more about the relationship between socioeconomic status and depression.
What are the gifts of imperfection from Brené Brown’s book? How can the three gifts help you cultivate worthiness? The three gifts of imperfection, according to Brené Brown, are courage, compassion, and connection. Together, these three gifts will help you live a Wholehearted life filled with happiness and self-acceptance. Continue reading to learn about the three gifts of imperfection.