The World's Best Book Summaries
How can we know the mind of God? What’s the future of science and humanity itself? Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking taught us a lot about black holes, the big bang, time travel, and space travel. But he also left us with many inspiring words that spark our imagination and stir up our determination. Keep reading for 12 inspirational Stephen Hawking quotes from his books A Brief History of Time and Brief Answers to the Big Questions.
What’s the Dunning-Kruger effect? How can it affect your capacity for self-discipline? The Dunning-Kruger effect is a biological tendency that distorts our self-perception, particularly about our ability in a skill. Daniel Walter discusses it in the context of self-discipline. He explains what it is, how it affects our ability to self-discipline, and how to overcome it. Keep reading for an overview of the Dunning-Kruger effect, particularly as it relates to self-discipline.
What is the importance of environmental protection? What effects do climate change and warming temperatures have on the planet? The natural environment is threatened every day. Humans are cutting down forest ecosystems, droughts are causing dangerous flooding, and high temperatures are lowering the GDP. This is all because humans are intervening with the environment, and it’ll only get worse if nothing is done to stop it. Let’s look at the reasons why environmental protection is important for human lives, the economy, and the planet.
How does your brain detect patterns? What’s the science behind the 5 Second Rule? In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins discusses the science behind her 5 Second Rule. She answers why it has such a powerful effect on the brain, and it all has to do with how the brain recognizes patterns. Continue reading to learn how brain patterns affect your ability to fight procrastination, hesitation, and harmful impulses.
What is the new space race? Who is the race between? What does the future hold for space exploration? Space exploration largely faded into the background after the end of the Cold War, but it’s coming back with a vengeance. Participants in the new space race are vying for the advantages of establishing a space presence that could set them up for future success. Read on to learn more about what’s happening with the new space race and who’s involved.
When and how did our solar system form? Why is the universe fine-tuned for life? What do scientists know about the origin of life? Scientists have learned a ton about the universe and the Earth. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson covers the major discoveries and theories and points out what we still don’t know. Keep reading for an overview of this accessible guide to science and natural history, from the big bang to the arrival of hominids on Earth.
What’s the theoretical basis for the big bang? What’s a supernova? Why is Earth’s moon important? Consider the matter, energy, stars, and planets that make up our universe. At some point, they came into existence. Scientists have developed certain understandings about the big bang, the life cycle of stars, and the formation of the solar system. Continue reading for a brief history of the cosmos.
Are there multiple realities? If so, how many? How can we access them? In Reality Transurfing Steps I–V, Vadim Zeland redefines reality, arguing that we live in a world of consciousness in which infinite versions of reality exist simultaneously. He believes that what we identify as reality is just one version of it. Read more for an intriguing exploration of Zeland’s thoughts on the nature of reality.
What is the life cycle of stars? How do stars burn? How many stars are in the Milky Way? If you’ve always wanted to understand the natural world but found science classes tedious and science textbooks difficult to understand, author Bill Bryson can relate. A Short History of Nearly Everything is an accessible overview of the natural sciences. Keep reading for Bryson’s explanation of the life cycle of stars.
How was our solar system formed? What were the conditions on and around Earth? Our sun formed a few billion years ago after the universe was set in motion with the big bang. Planets and moons formed out of the gas and dust that swirled around it. Read more to learn about the formation of our solar system.