The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the root cause of human unhappiness? Are humans even meant to be happy? We regard happiness as the most desirable human state. However, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and fragile. Our minds are not wired to be consistently happy. They are wired for survival. Here is why evolution didn’t mean for us to be happy.
What are the various religious views on poverty? How do they perceive wealth? In the Christian classic The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer argues that Christians should build wealth in heaven, not on earth. He asserts that earthly belongings contribute to worry, as we have more to lose. However, some religions—even other Christian traditions—disagree with him. Continue reading to learn about various religious views on poverty.
Were humans meant to exercise? Where does the human desire to exercise stem from? It’s no secret that exercise is integral to maintaining optimal physical health and mental well-being. But staying fit and healthy is not the only reason humans practice exercise. Science says humans’ motivation to exercise is encoded in our genes. Here’s what research has to say about the genetic aspect of exercise and motivation.
Why do we have to pay taxes? If monetary sovereigns can print their own money, then why do they still need tax money? Are there other reasons for tax other than to pay the government? According to modern monetary theory, nations that are monetary sovereigns can print more money whenever they need it. However, according to economist Stephanie Kelton, that doesn’t mean that taxes don’t serve a purpose. Learn why a believer of MMT believes taxes are still important.
How do the Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue personality types respond to stress? What can you do to help each color relieve their stress? Thomas Erikson, the author of Surrounded by Idiots, says that each of the four different personality colors has unique stress triggers, and so each one must be treated differently. Knowing what stresses out each type of person is especially helpful in the workplace. Continue reading to learn about personality types and stress.
What caused Dan Harris’s panic attack on a 2004 episode of Good Morning America? In what ways did the attack impact Harris’s life? Dan Harris is a self-help writer who is famous for his book 10% Happier. But Harris didn’t always have it together. Before his writing career, Harris was a news correspondent who suffered a panic attack on live tv. In his book, he details the lead-up to the traumatic event and what he learned from it. Keep reading to learn about Harris’s fight against anxiety and ego.
What’s the average height of a basketball player? Apart from height, what are the other key characteristics of a professional basketball player’s body type? Basketball players in the NBA are generally much taller than the average man. Only 5% of men in the US are taller than 6 feet 3 inches. The average height of an NBA player is 6 feet 7 inches. In addition to height, basketball players tend to have longer arms, far outside the norm for the general population. Let’s take a look at the key characteristics of a professional basketball player’s body type.
Does approval from others make you happy? Do you struggle to form healthy relationships? Do you think you may be chronically unhappy? Someone who is chronically unhappy likely wants to be happy but is in the wrong mindset. Chronically unhappy people seek validation from others, set impossible goals that can’t be met, and sabotage their own relationships with toxic behavior. Learn about the top three behaviors of chronically unhappy people so you can work to improve your mindset.
What are the four requirements of genuine love? Why is maintaining individuality important for a relationship? In his book The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm outlines the requirements for genuine love. The four requirements are nourishment, responsiveness, acceptance, and understanding. Continue below for a full explanation of each requirement.
What exactly are emotions? How can understanding emotions—how they arise and unfold—help you regulate your mood and psychological states? There is no scientific consensus about what emotions are. However, experts generally agree on three things: 1) emotions originate in the “midbrain,” 2) emotions are accompanied by physical changes, and 3) physical changes in the body prompt urges to act on the emotion. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of emotions, where they originate, and how they unfold.