The World's Best Book Summaries
How can you work to overcome the power of free? What positive impacts can the power of free have? If something is “free,” it may cause you to make an irrational purchase, or to wait in a 45-minute line for it. But would you have really done those things if they weren’t free? Learn how to overcome the power of free and harness it for good. Continue reading to learn more about the power of free.
What influence did the Scandinavian tribes exert on the English language? How did the importation of Scandinavian words change the English lexicon? The Scandinavian invasions left a profound and lasting influence on the English language. The influx of Scandinavian words lent English more flexibility since they didn’t fully replace the existing words, but supplemented them, making it possible to express more nuance and subtlety of meaning. Learn about the Scandinavian influence on the English language.
What is the definition of racism? When you say the word “racism,” what exactly are you referring to? The everyday definition of racism is not as simple as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of race. According to Ijeoma Oluo, the author of So You Want to Talk About Race, we usually refer to one of two different (but superficially similar) definitions when we talk about racism. Read about the two definitions of racism, according to Ijeoma Oluo.
How can social norms promote acts of selflessness? Why do people try harder when they’re not being paid? Experiments have shown that when given free stuff, people are less likely to be greedy and more likely to selflessly leave some for others. When those items cost even a small amount of money, people are more likely to greedily purchase more. This could have serious implications for society. Keep reading to learn how “free” things can increase acts of selflessness.
What is the future of the English language? Do you think English will become more diverse or more uniform? Around 1.5 billion people around the world speak English—roughly 20 percent of the global population. According to linguist scholars, the most likely trajectory for the future of English is its homogenization to conform to the way it is spoken in the U.S. Keep reading to learn about the future of English.
What impact will AI have on humanity? Would you consult an AI algorithm to make a decision that concerns your personal life? Presently, AI acts as humanity’s oracle, guiding our actions but having no power over the ultimate decision. However, as people place more trust in artificial intelligence, algorithms may become agents, making decisions to accomplish a goal you create. Keep reading to learn about the projected impact of AI on humanity.
What is the theory of self-concept? Should we de-emphasize the self? Or can celebrating it make us happy? Self-concept theory is the how an individual thinks about themselves. In the east, they de-emphasize the self to reach enlightenment. In the west, many celebrate the ethic of autonomy. Ultimately, we should be practicing a bit of both. Keep reading to learn more about the self-concept theory.
Are you looking for So You Want to Talk About Race quotes by Ijeoma Oluo? What are some of the most noteworthy passages that highlight the author’s key ideas about racial inequality? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offers a handbook on how to have intelligent, productive, empathic conversations about race. The following So You Want to Talk About Race quotes highlight some of the author’s key ideas about racial identity and oppression. Keep reading for So You Want to Talk About Race quotes by Ijeoma Oluo.
What are the origins of English? What are the key events in the evolution of the English language that were most instrumental in shaping it into the version we speak and write today? English, as we know it today, is very different from its original Anglo-Saxon version. To understand how this came to be, we need to understand the evolution of the English language and the processes by which it transformed into English as we know it today. Keep reading to learn about the evolution of the English language.
What is the meaning of the term Homo Deus? Do you think our species Homo Sapiens will eventually evolve into Homo Deus? The term Homo Deus was coined by Yuval Noah Harari to refer to the human species that will come after Homo Sapiens. In his book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Harari unpacks the meaning of Homo Deus and explores its implications for society at large. Keep reading to understand Homo Deus, its meaning, and the implications according to Yuval Noah Harari.