Shortform Books

Black Hole Entropy: Stephen Hawking’s Discovery

What’s entropy like inside a black hole? And how do we know that black holes have entropy in the first place? Jacob Bekenstein suggested that the area of a black hole was itself a measurement of its entropy. But if black holes had entropy, they would have to emit radiation (which was thought impossible at the time). In 1973, Stephen Hawking ran calculations that showed that black holes would indeed create and emit particles. Keep reading to learn more about black hole entropy.

10X Companies: 3 Core Habits That Drive Success

What distinguishes 10X companies from the average? What are some of the key characteristics of businesses that manage to stay afloat through a crisis? Dispelling an entrenched myth, the research suggests that ultra-successful 10X companies are not more creative, more ambitious, or more visionary than the average. What sets them apart are these three behaviors: 1) fanatic discipline, 2) empirical creativity, and 3) productive paranoia. Keep reading to learn about the three core characteristics of 10X companies.

The 3 Attitudes for Success and How to Cultivate Them

What does it mean to have an attitude for success? What kind of attitude sets apart a successful person? Our attitudes speak for us, broadcasting disinterest and boredom, or energy and success. If you want the latter, work on nurturing these three attitudes: 1) “I’m activated,” 2) “You are important,” and 3) “Service first.” Keep reading to learn about the three attitudes that all successful people have in common.

Accepting Death Will Enhance Your Life

How can accepting death help you focus on what matters in life? What are some things people do to compensate for the fear of death? When you accept the reality of death, you will realize that time spent feeling fear, shame, and embarrassment is time wasted. Instead, you should make decisions and choose your values with the reality of death in mind. Keep reading to learn how accepting death will enhance your life.

What Is the Meaning of Modern? Forced Stability

What is the meaning of modern? How does modern stability reinforce false ideas about stability? The meaning of modern varies but is considered to be a society in which the structures and systems are consistent over leading to the present. This is problematic when people believe they can force modern society to be stable and prevent changes. Read more about the meaning of modern society and why enforcing it is untenable.

Psychic Entropy: A Threat to Ordered Consciousness

What is psychic entropy? How can psychic entropy sabotage your goals? When you encounter information that doesn’t fit with your goals, it can cause psychic entropy or disorder. Long-term disruptions to consciousness may cause you to abandon a goal entirely. Here is more information about psychic entropy with real-life examples.

Employee Performance Management: Best Practices

What does employee performance management entail in your organization? What are the characteristics of a good performance management routine? Employee performance management consists of meetings and conversations that help you to focus on the progress and performance of your employees. An effective performance management routine must be simple, regular, future-focused, and tailored to each individual employee. Here are some things to think about as you design a performance management routine for your organization.

How Matilda Cook Survived Yellow Fever in Fever 1793

How did Matilda Cook survive yellow fever in the book Fever 1793? What was it like to recover from yellow fever? In the book Fever 1793, Matilda Cook contracted yellow fever while on the road with her grandpa. He brought her to Bush Hill, but her recovery was messy and long. Without her grandpa, Matilda would have died on the side of the road. Keep reading to learn how Matilda recovered from yellow fever.

The Iatrogenic Effect Is Proof of Fragile Systems

What is an iatrogenic effect? Is this the result of fragile systems? An iatrogenic effect is when harm is caused as a result of a medical treatment or intervention. Sometimes, harm is caused because of the fragile medical system, and humans’ intense need to do something in the face of suffering. Read more about the iatrogenic effect and how human intervention can cause fragility.

Communication Is Key in a Relationship: Here’s Why

What does the book Attached have to say about communication in a relationship? How can you communicate like a secure attacher? Effective communication is key in a relationship and secure attachers tend to be the best at expressing their needs and expectations. Anxious and avoidant attachers, however, tend to struggle with communication. Keep reading to learn how the different attachment styles communicate and how to communicate like a secure attacher.