Shortform Books

Economics Explained: How a Capitalist Market Works

What exactly is a market? How does an economic market regulate itself given there’s no central authority overseeing its inner workings? A market is essentially a collection of billions of separate transactions that form a complex economy in which people can earn and spend money to fund their lives. A capitalist market functions cohesively, not because a centralized authority tells it what to do, but because each transaction works together efficiently. The paradox of the market is that while individuals use the market to increase their own individual well-being, in the process, they increase everyone else’s well-being also. In this

How to Read Fiction With an Analytical Eye

Do you want to know how to read fiction with an analytical eye? How is reading fiction different than reading nonfiction? In their book How to Read a Book, Adler and Van Doren discuss the differences between reading fiction and nonfiction. While most of the book focuses on how to read nonfiction, this section teaches how to actively read fiction with a critical eye and analyze quality. Continue reading to learn Adler and Van Doren’s method to reading fiction.

Level 1 Leadership: Title Is Just the Beginning

What is Maxwell’s level 1 leadership? What powers can you command at this level? And how do you move up the leadership ladder towards level 2? In Maxwell’s leadership hierarchy, level 1 leadership is called positional or title-based leadership. At this level, you have the title but no real power, other than the authority to lead—people only follow you because they have to. In this article, we’ll discuss Maxwell’s first level of leadership, its pros and cons, and what you can do to make the most of your title and move up the leadership ladder.

The Chemical Imbalance Theory—Debunked

Is the chemical imbalance theory of depression true? How does the book Lost Connections challenge the theory? Research shows that there is no evidence that having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals can solely lead to depression. The book Lost Connections challenges the chemical imbalance theory by exploring the biopsychosocial model which posits that psychological, social, and biological factors are the main causes of depression. Read more about why the chemical imbalance theory is flawed.

The Coddling of the American Mind: Book Overview

What is The Coddling of the American Mind book about? What are the three “Great Untruths” shared in the book? The Coddling of the American Mind is Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff book about the growing fragility of colleges and young people today. The authors discuss three “untruths” that young people are told that are dangerous for society. Keep reading to learn what The Coddling of the American Mind is about.

Vincent Peale on How Emotions Affect the Body

Do you believe that emotions can “spill over” into your body? How can negative emotions influence your physical state? When you have an unhealthy emotional life marked by feelings of anger and resentment, your energy and vitality can sag and your physical health can diminish. According to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, this happens because what you think in your mind has a profound effect on how you feel in your body. In this article, we’ll discuss how emotions affect the body and what you can do when negative emotions take over to restore

Customer Prospecting: Who Should You Target?

What is customer prospecting? How do businesses prospect for new customers? What are some things you can do to identify and target prospects that will guarantee sales? Customer prospecting is the first stage of the sales process. It involves defining, identifying, and initiating contact with prospects—customers who are most likely to buy your products/services. In this article, we’ve put together some prospecting tips to help you find and engage with the right prospects.

Level Up Your Sales Game and Manifest Success

Is it possible to manifest success to increase sales? What two methods does Jordan Belfort suggest to create a success mindset? In his book Way of the Wolf, Jordan Belfort says that you can manifest success by using future pacing and state management. Future pacing is when you act as if you are already rich in order to manifest real success in the future. State management is a method of creating an empowered state of mind that will help you reach your goals. Continue below to learn more about Belfort’s methods for controlling your mental state and increasing sales.

The Economics Behind Exchange Rates—Explained

What exactly is an exchange rate? How do countries determine their exchange rates? In simple terms, the exchange rate is the price at which you can purchase one currency using another currency. There are several ways that a country can determine the value of its currency and its exchange rate. Learn about the economics of exchange rates, explained in simple terms. We’ll discuss the gold standard way of determining the exchange rates, and the difference between floating and fixed exchange rates.

How to Read Social Science Books

How should you go about reading social science books? What makes these books different than other types of nonfiction? Social science books are different than other forms of nonfiction because they should not be read as isolated works. When you read social science works, you should read many books on the same topic to get a comprehensive take on the matter. Here’s how Adler and Van Doren suggest reading social science books in How to Read a Book.