The World's Best Book Summaries
Why don’t mammals reproduce asexually? Why are sperm so much smaller than eggs? Why do male mammals typically have to fight to inseminate a female? Reproduction in mammals varies depending on species. The main reason mammals reproduce sexually is to promote genetic diversity, otherwise, an entire species could be wiped out with one sickness. Keep reading to learn more about reproduction in mammals.
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.
What are the three main factors that affect our happiness? What part of the happiness formula are in our control? The happiness formula states that our happiness is a function of our affective style (S), the conditions of our lives (C), and our voluntary activities (V)—or H=S+C+V. Some factors in the happiness formula are out of our control, but some are completely in our control to improve upon. Continue reading to learn more about the happiness formula.
How do you get a good statistical sample? How do some people manipulate their sample selection to mislead others? In How to Lie With Statistics, Darrell Huff explains the criteria for getting a good statistical sample size. Good sampling in statistics is important because bad sampling can lead to unintentional (or intentional) bias and misleading numbers. Keep reading to learn how to get a good sample and avoid bad sampling.
Why shouldn’t you trust the voice inside your head? How is overidentification with your internal monologue prevent you from connecting to your true identity? According to Michael Alan Singer, the author of The Untethered Soul, the voice inside your head—your “inner roommate”—is the main obstacle to realizing your true self. Because this voice speaks to you as the voice of your own mind, you’ve mistakenly come to believe that it is you. Here’s why you shouldn’t take the voice inside your head too seriously,
Are humans superior to animals? Do you think human superiority over animals in certain domains justifies the way we treat them? People want to believe that they are fundamentally superior to animals and that this superiority justifies our dominance over and our treatment of animals. There are three main factors for this justification: our soul, consciousness, and self-awareness. Keep reading for more about the alleged superiority of humans over animals and the real reason humans dominate the earth.
What do emotions have to do with evolution? Why do we diagnose overly anxious people but not people who don’t feel anxiety at all? How can sadness actually benefit us? According to the authors of Why We Get Sick, emotions are a maladaptive psychological process. In the Stone Age, anxiety was necessary to keep us alive and sadness prevented us from repeating losses. Keep reading for more information about the evolutionary functions of emotions.
What are the tennis skills you need to know? How can you practice and perfect these skills? Below is a list of the most important technical tennis skills, along with tips from coaches. While it’s important to work on your game, keep in mind that you also have to develop your mental game. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of tennis skills.
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.