Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

How Safetyism Is Creating Fragile, Sensitive Children

What is safetyism? How did media coverage lead to an increase in safety parenting? What long-term effects does safetyism have? Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, co-authors of The Coddling of the American Mind, think that safetyism and safety parenting is creating fragile children. This means that when those kids reach college, they are more likely to rely on authority figures to solve all of their problems instead of handling them themselves. Keep reading to learn what Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff have to say about the impacts of safetyism.

The Power of Vulnerability Quotes by Brené Brown

Are you looking for quotes from Brené Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability? Want an analysis of what the quotes mean? The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown was a lecture about overcoming shame, becoming vulnerable, and living wholeheartedly. In her speech, Brown discusses the importance of living authentically in a world that is full of comparison and judgment. Continue reading for The Power of Vulnerability quotes with explanations.

Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health & Development

What is social media’s impact on mental health? In what ways is social media delaying the emotional development of children? In their book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff explore how social media is delaying the emotional development of young people and causing depression, anxiety, and self-harm. This is due to the fact that prolonged time spent on these apps is transforming the digital world into the “real” world. Keep reading to learn about social media’s impact on mental health.

The Power of Vulnerability Discussion Questions

Do you want to further your understanding of Brené Brown lecture? How can these The Power of Vulnerability discussion questions help you relate her messages to your own life? The Power of Vulnerability was a TED Talk given by Brené Brown about shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living. Brown explains that, in today’s culture, it’s hard to ever feel like you’re “good enough,” so she shared practices on how to stop feeling shame and comparing yourself to others. Continue reading for exercises and discussion questions inspired by Brené Brown’s lecture.

The Need for Viewpoint Diversity in Colleges

In what ways are colleges straying away from viewpoint diversity? Why are opposing viewpoints important for a stimulating, college environment? In The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff believe that left-leaning professors are far outnumbering conservative professors which is leading to an environment that is less tolerant of viewpoint diversity. They share examples of individuals who have been driven out due to their ideologies. Keep reading for Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff’s take on the growing lack of viewpoint diversity in colleges.

How to Be Your Authentic Self: Brené Brown’s Practices

Do you want to know how to be your authentic self? Are you being held back by other people’s expectations, your own perfectionism, or your distrust of your intuition? Brené Brown’s first five practices for wholehearted living focus on how to be your authentic self. She discusses the importance of saying “no,” the dangers of perfectionism, the fear that some people feel when things are going too well, and more. Continue reading for Brené Brown’s first five practices for wholehearted living.

Why Are Young People So Sensitive These Days?

Why do the authors of The Coddling of the American Mind think that young people today are too fragile and sensitive? What five solutions do the authors provide to the situation? In their book The Coddling of the American Mind, authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff ponder the question of why people are so sensitive and fragile these days. They came up with five major factors: political polarization, social media, safety parenting, bureaucratization on college campuses, and the evolving social justice norms. Keep reading to learn how the authors think these five factors are making young people today more fragile.

What’s Causing the Upsurge in College Riots?

Why have there been so many college riots in recent years? In what way is “violent” speech contributing to the problem? In the book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff suspect that labeling speech as “violent” is giving college students the excuse to retaliate with physical violence. Two examples the authors use are the riots at the University of California at Berkeley and the Middlebury College in Vermont. Keep reading to learn how labeling speech as violent may be contributing to college riots.

Brené Brown: The Importance of Creativity, Play, & Rest

Why are creativity, play, and rest important to wholehearted living? Why should you stop using exhaustion as a status symbol? What are some of Brené Brown’s methods to release stress? According to Brené Brown, creativity, play, and rest are wholehearted behaviors that will promote a healthy mind and body. Society has led people to believe that these behaviors are childish and after a certain age, these abilities are scoffed at or degraded. Keep reading to learn why adults should re-embrace their creative sides.

Intent Versus Impact: Understanding Microaggressions

What are microaggressions? Why do authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff believe that excessive focus on perceived microaggressions can lead to a negative feedback loop? In their book The Coddling of the American Mind, co-authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff say that the focus on microaggressions is unhealthy because oftentimes, the aggressive behavior is perceived when no intentional slight was actually made. The authors claim that many reactions to perceived insults are taken too far, especially when they lead to de-platforming. Keep reading to learn what Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff have to say about the intent versus impact of