Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

How to Build Strong Friendships: Skills for Life

What makes a strong friendship? How can we maintain strong friendships with people we care about? Strong friendships are the one thing that everyone—scientists, philosophers, and happiness experts—can agree is a major contributor to overall happiness and life satisfaction. But maintaining friendships takes effort, especially as we get older and take on more responsibilities. In this article, we’ll discuss some ways you can cultivate and maintain strong friendships throughout life.

The Lipid Hypothesis: The Biggest Food Hoax Ever?

What is the lipid hypothesis? How did the lipid hypothesis change dietary guidelines in the United States? Was there any evidence to corroborate it? The lipid hypothesis is a medical theory that postulates an association between the intake of saturated fat and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This hypothesis motivated the McGovern committee to create the Dietary Goals for the U.S. report which advised Americans to limit their consumption of red meat and dairy even though the evidence was weak. Keep reading to learn about the health implications of the lipid hypothesis.

The Mike Daisey Scandal: Lying to Tell the Truth?

What was Mike Daisey’s monologue about? What elements of the monologue were inaccurate or completely made up? And what was the public reaction to Daisey’s fiasco? In 2010, monologue writer and performer Mike Daisey committed literary fraud. He invented details in a non-fiction monologue about working conditions in Apple factories that he performed on the podcast This American Life, among other venues. In response, Daisey was publicly shamed. Read about the Mike Daisey’s monologue scandal, how it unfolded, and what happened in its aftermath.

Digital Minimalism Quotes and Passages to Reflect on

Are you looking for Digital Minimalism quotes by Cal Newport? What are some of the most noteworthy passages that highlight the author’s key ideas about the digital minimalist lifestyle? In his book Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport applies the lifestyle concept of minimalism to the use of technology. The following quotes and passages from the book highlight some of the key ideas discussed. Keep reading for four Digital Minimalism quotes by Cal Newport.

What Is Vipassana Meditation? Pure Observation

What is vipassana meditation? What is the ultimate goal that vipassana practitioners try to achieve? Vipassana is perhaps one of the most practiced forms of meditation in the mainstream yoga culture. But what is vipassana meditation exactly? In simple terms, vipassana meditation is the type of meditation where you practice observing your stream of consciousness without entertaining what comes up. In this article, you will learn what vipassana meditation is, the purpose of vipassana practice, and its ultimate objective.

What Is Real Food? Michael Pollan’s Answer

What is real food? How can you tell which foods are real, that is, unprocessed and unadulterated by chemicals? Food is all around us, but according to Michael Pollan, the author of In Defense of Food, most of it is not real. But, what exactly is real is food? According to Pollan, there are three criteria that can help you tell which foods are real and which ones are not. The following three rules can help you determine what food is real.

Adria Richards: Fired for Calling out Sexist Jokes

How to Deal With Negative Comments on Social Media

What did Adria Richards write in her infamous tweet? And how did it lead to her losing her job with SendGrid? In March 2013, Adria Richards tweeted a photo of two developers at the PyCon tech conference, accompanying it with a comment that the two were making sexist jokes. Not only did Richards’ tweet cause massive public shaming on internet forums, but it also got her fired by her employer, the email delivery service SendGrid. Here is how Adria Richards’s scandal unfolded and what happened in its aftermath.

Technology Addiction: It’s Real and Pervasive

Do you feel you have control over your technology use? Is technology addiction a real phenomenon? Why do you think people get addicted to technology? Most people, including you, probably spend more time on devices than they intend to. But technology addiction is a byproduct of the way human attention works. Tech companies are aware of it and they use it to engineer their products to keep people’s attention for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn about psychology behind technology addiction.

How to Start Meditating: Tips for Beginners

Do you want to start meditating but aren’t sure how to do it properly? How long should you meditate? What position do you assume? According to Henepola Gunaratana, the author of Mindfulness in Plain English, beginner meditators shouldn’t worry about attaining any particular goal within a particular time period. It’s best to start meditating with an open mind, inviting and accepting whatever the experience brings. Here are some pointers for those who want to start meditating plus some tips for handling distractions and mind-wandering.

The Law of the Lid: The First Law of Leadership

What is the Law of the Lid? What role does this law play in organizational effectiveness? In his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership, Maxwell uses the Law of the Lid to convey the idea that organizational effectiveness is capped by its leader’s ability lead. This law is the first of Maxwell’s list of key leadership attributes and principles. Keep reading to learn about the Law of the Lid by John C. Maxwell plus some examples of its successful and unsuccessful application.