The World's Best Book Summaries
What’s scientific reductionism? Does it mess with our true sense of self? Philosopher Alan Watts defines the ego illusion as the false sense of being an individual who exists as an entity separate from other people and the environment. He points the finger at Western science as one of the ways we perpetuate the ego illusion. Read more to learn the argument that Watts makes in The Book.
What’s Richard Feynman’s approach to science? What should scientists do with doubt? What’s every scientist’s responsibility? According to Richard Feynman, science is a serious business. Feynman is known for having fun and enjoying his work, but he also has a reputation for integrity in his field. In his memoir, he writes about the importance of intellectual honesty and accountability in science. Continue reading to learn Feynman’s views on the practice and profession of science.
Is it possible to live forever? What are the potential implications of human immortality for society at large? People have always been fascinated with immortality. However, we have never been as close to it as we are today. Medical technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and many scientists believe that humanity is on the brink of a breakthrough that will pave the way toward technologies that will make eternal life possible. Keep reading to learn whether it’s possible to live forever and some potential implications of human immortality for the human species and societies at large.
Why is the Great Salt Lake drying up? What would be the impact of losing the lake? What can we do to restore the lake? Scientists warn that the Great Salt Lake is drying up and could go completely dry in the next five years because evaporation from the lake exceeds inflow. If the lake goes dry, it will have severe ecological and economic consequences for Utah. Read on to learn why the Great Salt Lake is drying up, the potential impacts of losing the lake, and one way we could save it.
Where do self-serving behaviors come from? Are humans selfish by nature? Many people believe that humans are hardwired to be selfish, and there’s scientific evidence to back that up. But just because we’re born with an innate desire to serve ourselves, that doesn’t mean we have to live a completely selfish life. Keep reading to learn where selfishness comes from and how we can rise from it.
What’s the relationship between a flow state and brain waves? How do your brain waves change when you enter a flow state? According to Steven Kotler’s book The Rise of Superman, in a flow state, the brain waves you produce temporarily change, allowing you to perform at your best. He specifically describes five of the brain waves that are positively affected by entering a flow state. Read on to learn more about how achieving a flow state affects brain waves, according to Kotler.
Why are neurotransmitters important? How do they impact our abilities and daily lives? In The Rise of Superman, journalist Steven Kotler explains how athletes are able to perform seemingly superhuman feats—it all comes down to mastering flow, or a state of deep focus, he says. He further explains why neurotransmitters are important for achieving this state of flow and boosting performance. Read on to learn why neurotransmitters are important for brain performance, according to Kotler.
Did you know you can take magic mushrooms for depression? What are the benefits of using psychedelics for treating mental illness? Are there risks? For years, people have been using psychedelics to treat mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. If you think this treatment might be right for you or a loved one, check out Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life, which provides important information about using magic mushrooms for depression. Below we’ll look at the benefits of psychedelic treatment for mental illness as well as the risks.
What are the common uses of fungi in daily life? How do fungi help anxiety and the environment? The role of fungi expands far wider than supporting plants, soil, and the cycle of life. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake says that fungi could solve pressing problems in everyday life if we spent more time and resources studying fungi. Here we’ll focus on fungi’s potential to address two of these problems: mental illness and environmental destruction.
Are fungi intelligent? What can fungi teach us about our own intelligence? According to Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life, fungi possess a form of intelligence that’s very similar to our own. Because fungi can make decisions themselves, it’s possible that intelligence isn’t something that’s binary; rather, it’s a spectrum. Continue reading to learn how fungi intelligence can change ideas about intelligence as a whole.