The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the struggles of dealing with stress and anxiety? Why is it so hard to change anxious behavior? According to Dr. Judson Brewer, many people struggle with getting rid of anxiety. He explains in his book Unwinding Anxiety that people are resistant to change because they believe anxiety has some benefits. Let’s look at why anxiety isn’t beneficial and the obstacles you’ll face while coping with anxiety.
What is recall bias in research methodology? Why is self-reporting unreliable as a data-collection method? Recall bias is a major problem in studies where data is collected through self-reporting. Because human memory is not like a tape recorder, our recollection of the past is unreliable. There are significant psychological influences on how a memory is recollected (e.g. the personal meaning we’ve assigned to the events). Keep reading to learn about recall bias.
What are your true reasons for doing what you do? What do you want people to think your reasons are? In The Elephant in the Brain, software engineer Kevin Simler and economics professor Robin Hanson controversially argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives—and that your own brain is hiding them from you. They contend that humans evolved to appear selfless even as they put themselves before others. Read more for this intriguing discussion about human motives.
What is the norepinephrine hormone’s function in the brain? How do you feel if you have too much or not enough? How can you produce more norepinephrine? The norepinephrine hormone functions primarily to boost your energy and make you feel more alert, according to Steven Kotler. Kotler’s self-help book, The Art of Impossible, outlines the importance of neurochemicals, like norepinephrine, in creating an overall sense of happiness and wellbeing. Read on to learn more about the function of the norepinephrine hormone, including Kotler’s advice for producing more “happy hormones.”
Can your brain get inflamed? What happens when chronic inflammation develops in the brain? Inflammation is meant to protect our bodies, but when it becomes chronic, it can be damaging. Chronic brain inflammation is one of the key factors in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Here’s how chronic inflammation in the brain contributes to cognitive decline.
Why did social norms develop? How do they work, and what role do they play? If you make too much noise in a library, you probably won’t get escorted out by security. Instead, you’ll likely earn some dirty looks or shushing from your fellow patrons. Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson explain how norms of society, such as this example of group enforcement, regulate human behavior. Read more to learn how norms of society play a role in our lives.
What do people typically search on Google? What do a person’s Google searches say about them? Google searches and other internet activity reveal truths that might never come out in traditional data-gathering methods like surveys. In Everybody Lies, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz claims that people research topics that they would lie about in real life, such as sexuality, prejudice, and child abuse. Keep reading to learn what people search on Google and why they won’t discuss it in real life.
How is insulin implicated in dementia? Why are diabetes patients at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? Insulin resistance is heavily associated with the risk for dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes. Generally, high blood sugar—even without insulin resistance—is associated with cognitive decline. Keep reading to learn about the role of insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s disease.
Is hard work really the key to success? What if we instead found easier routes to progress and success and integrated them into our lives? In our professional and personal lives, we’re often taught that to achieve progress, we must work as hard as we possibly can. According to Greg McKeown, it doesn’t have to be that way. In his book Effortless, he debunks this belief and suggests several ways to make the most of your time with less effort. Here’s how to make progress effortlessly, according to Greg McKeown.
Do doctors actually care about you? Why do people buy Teslas? What’s the hidden purpose of education? In The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives hidden behind altruistic pretexts. They argue that, because we’re a cooperative social species, our brains evolved to hide our true motives not just from others, but from ourselves so as to balance our selfishness with our need to get along. Keep reading for an overview of the book.