The World's Best Book Summaries
How important is status in society? What is a status game? You might not think of yourself as a person who cares about status. Yet in The Status Game, Will Storr writes that not only are you constantly competing for status, but the need for status is wired into your brain. Below we’ll discuss why people compete for status in society, and how it becomes a game in the first place.
Why do people become alcoholics? Is there an “alcoholism gene”? Are certain people more vulnerable to addiction? In This Naked Mind, Annie Grace contends that alcoholism results from an ignorance of the truth about alcohol. She identifies common misconceptions about drinking, and she explains why everyone’s at risk for addiction and how a denial of that fact leads to alcohol abuse. Read more to understand Grace’s enlightening argument.
What’s the importance of love in society? How does love challenge oppressive systems? According to All About Love by bell hooks, a better understanding of love isn’t merely about improving individual relationships. Love also holds the power to transform entire societies. Discover how love changes societies for the better.
What’s a status competition? What are the rules and symbols of a status game? A status game has rules and symbols that draw us in and compel us to play along. In The Status Game, Will Storr takes a look at the rules and symbols that create a competition for status. Let’s look at how a status competition operates.
Does alcohol help you relax? How much wine is good for you on a daily basis? Why do so many people struggle to stay sober, even after treatment programs? You’re being lied to. Society promotes untruths about alcohol that make people think it’s beneficial, at least when it’s “done right.” That’s the view of Annie Grace, who says that ignorance about alcohol and its abuse lulls people into a false sense of safety in regard to drinking, ultimately leading to addiction for many. Keep reading to learn five myths about alcohol that will cause you to think again about your
How did Malcolm X become a civil rights activist? Who was Johnson Hinton, and what did he have to do with it? In 1957, New York City police officers severely beat up a Black Muslim man named Johnson Hinton. That incident eventually pushed the Nation of Islam—and Malcolm X—into the spotlight of America’s civil rights movement. Read more to learn about the launch of Malcolm X’s activism.
What would happen if the AMOC collapsed? How could rising temperatures possibly affect the ocean’s currents? Why do some doubt the studies? A recent scientific study suggests the Gulf Stream may slow or stop due to climate change, which would have dramatic effects on the world’s weather. However, some are skeptical that a collapse would happen in this century. Here’s a look at what the AMOC is, what’s causing the collapse, and what it would mean for every person on Earth.
Why do people care about their status? Is social status important? The Status Game by Will Storr explains that on a basic level, people play status games because we’ve evolved to do so. But the reasons that people care about status are more numerous and nuanced than that. Below we’ll explore some of the reasons that explain the importance of social status.
Have you ever felt humiliated in public? What triggers social humiliation? If you ever try to fit into a new group, you’ll likely feel humiliated if your efforts don’t work out. This is a common consequence of status games, according to Will Storr. Continue reading to learn more about the psychology of social humiliation.
Why are malls dying in the United States? What factors are contributing to their downfall? How can they adapt for the future? In the 1980s, the mall was a vibrant epicenter in America. Today malls are struggling to survive, their demise fueled by online shopping, large department store closures, and the COVID-19 pandemic. America’s 700 remaining malls are trying to stay alive by modernizing stores and digitizing processes. Keep reading to learn why malls are struggling and what can be done to revive them.