How Can a Business Be Socially Responsible?

How Can a Business Be Socially Responsible?

What does it mean to have social responsibility? How can a business be socially responsible? Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf believes that servant leaders will ensure that the businesses they belong to fulfill their social responsibility. They’ll do this by changing these businesses from the inside out with a clear vision of a better path forward. If you’re a leader who wants to avoid business failures by being socially responsible, keep reading.

What Does “Tragedy of the Commons” Mean? Pinker Explains

What Does “Tragedy of the Commons” Mean? Pinker Explains

What does “tragedy of the commons” mean? How do you participate in it, and how does it affect you? In his book Rationality, Steven Pinker explores why people make irrational decisions. He discusses game theory, which seeks to explain how rational thinking can go out the window when an individual’s needs are in competition with others’ needs. The tragedy of the commons is an example of this. Keep reading to learn about this fascinating—and sometimes devastating—dynamic.

How to Offset Tourism’s Carbon Footprint & Travel Responsibly

How to Offset Tourism’s Carbon Footprint & Travel Responsibly

How much pollution does the tourism industry actually cause? Is it possible to travel the world without polluting it? When we travel, we’re supposed to “leave nothing but footprints,” but tourism’s carbon footprints can wreak havoc on the planet. Thankfully, there are ways to travel responsibly and to give back to local communities, wildlife, and the planet. Here are some tips for seeing the world without harming it in the process.

Rationality in Game Theory: Steven Pinker Explores 3 Games

Rationality in Game Theory: Steven Pinker Explores 3 Games

When is it rational to act irrationally? How might irrational thinking devastate an entire community? Steven Pinker examines how people make rational decisions as part of a group. He discusses game theory, which looks at how rational thinking is affected when the needs of an individual are pitted against the needs of others. In this context, he explains the zero-sum game, the volunteer’s dilemma, and the tragedy of the commons. Continue reading to understand rationality in game theory with examples from Pinker.

How Myside Bias Fuels Irrationality & an “Us vs. Them” Mentality

red and blue nails on chessboard

Which do you value more—the truth or fitting in? Do you allow your group’s beliefs to trump your better judgment? Most people agree on the importance of rational thinking and behavior. Still, irrationality is rampant. Steven Pinker explores why people hold irrational beliefs such as paranormal phenomena or conspiracy theories in his book Rationality. He identifies myside bias as one of the culprits. Read more to learn about this all-too-common tendency that impacts individuals and society as a whole.

Is Peak TV Dead, or Are We Just Entering a New Era?

Is Peak TV Dead, or Are We Just Entering a New Era?

What is Peak TV? Why are some people saying it’s dead? What does the future hold for viewers whose days of choosing from an overwhelming abundance of programming are allegedly over? Peak TV is dead—and the days of Americans being able to choose from the greatest-ever number of original scripted shows is over, according to some. With rising production costs, lagging streaming adoption rates, and strikes, some argue that programming will decline, while others say it’s simply a new era. Keep reading to find out whether Peak TV is really dead or not.

Fear of Wasting Time: How Doing Less Makes Us More Anxious

Fear of Wasting Time: How Doing Less Makes Us More Anxious

How valuable is your time? Does the “time is money” mentality make you anxious? In her book Do Nothing, Celeste Headlee writes that, for many people, time feels scarce and too valuable to squander. She argues that the modern pressure to constantly be productive stems, in part, from changing perceptions of how valuable one’s time is. Keep reading to learn about the fear of wasting time and where it comes from.

The Downside of Empathy: 5 Ways It Harms More Than Helps

The Downside of Empathy: 5 Ways It Harms More Than Helps

When is kindness not in harmony with morality? Why is empathy unsustainable? Yale psychologist Paul Bloom makes a case against empathy—specifically, emotional empathy. He argues that emotional empathy reinforces our biases, motivates actions that are kind but morally wrong, prioritizes individuals over groups, wears us out, and even motivates violence. Continue reading to learn about the downside of empathy.

How to Be Selfless in Everyday Life (+ the Benefits)

How to Be Selfless in Everyday Life (+ the Benefits)

Do you want to help people who need it? How can you be selfless and kind to others? Humans are naturally selfish beings due to our evolutionary need to survive, but there are ways to grow out of this selfishness. Whether it’s performing random acts of kindness or actively listening, unleashing your altruistic side is a great way to give back to others while expecting nothing in return. Keep reading to learn how to be selfless and make somebody’s day.