Shortform Books

The Two Wes Moores: One Name, Two Fates

Two men from behind. One wears an army uniform and the other wears a prison jumpsuit

Who are the two Wes Moores? How could two men with such similar pasts end up in completely different places? In the autobiography, The Other Wes Moore, two young men share a name, birthplace, and similar childhoods. Yet, one of the Wes Moores is a Johns Hopkins University graduate, the first Black Rhodes Scholar, and now the governor of Maryland. The second Wes Moore went to prison for involvement in the murder of a police officer. Read on to learn how the fates of the two Wes Moores collided.

Did God Create the Universe? Probably Not

The Formless Substance: A Limitless Source of Wealth

Did God create the universe? Why do people think that a powerful God created everything? The question “did God create the universe” has been around for most of humankind. Humans have tried to figure out where we came from and the idea of God creating the universe is one idea. So did God create the universe? Read on to find out.

Couple Communication: Bridging the Gap

What makes for healthy couple communication? What are some communication tips that can repair misunderstandings in romantic relationships? According to John Gray, the author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, almost all relationship problems can be attributed to errors in couple communication. The fundamental reason these errors happen is that men and women essentially speak a different emotional language. Keep reading for John Gray’s advice on how to improve couple communication.

David Goggins: Army Ranger Training Means New Skills

Was David Goggins an Army Ranger? What was David Goggins’ Army Ranger training like? David Goggins wanted to go above and beyond and keep pushing himself. David Goggins’ Army Ranger training followed his SEAL training, and was a way to gain more skills. Read more about David Goggins’ Army Ranger training below.

A Healthy Body Isn’t Always a Thin Body

Is your focus on looking like an Instagram model rather than on attaining a healthy body? Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food and distorted body image? Many women turn to food as a coping mechanism, abusing their bodies to help deal with stress or trauma. This can cause a vicious cycle of dieting, gaining weight, and feeling bad about yourself. Instead of losing or gaining weight to match a beauty standard, you should be doing it to attain a healthy body. Keep reading to learn how a healthy body can lead to a healthy mind.

Stop Sinking Money Into the Marketing Loop

What is the mass marketing loop? How could getting stuck in the marketing loop be the downfall of your company? Mass marketing requires mass spending. Many companies will spend the money they earn from mass marketing on advertising, creating a marketing loop. Keep reading to learn how to escape the marketing loop.

Tetlock’s Forecasting Styles: Foxes and Hedgehogs

What are the foxes and hedgehogs in the context of forecasting? How do they differ in their approach to making predictions? In his book Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction, Phillip Tetlock distinguishes between two forecasting styles: foxes and hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are the big-picture thinkers and foxes are analytical and detail-oriented. Read about foxes and hedgehogs, as it relates to forecasting.

The Categorical Imperative: How We Define Morals

What is the categorical imperative? What does it mean for religion and morality? The categorical imperative is the idea that individual moral principles should be judged on the basis of whether or not they would make sense as universal principles. This indicates that religion shouldn’t be the deciding factor about what is or isn’t moral. Read more about the categorical imperative below.

The Other Wes Moore: Characters You Should Know

Who are the characters in the book The Other Wes Moore? How did one Wes Moore end up a decorated military veteran and academic scholar, and the other a convicted murderer with a life sentence? The Other Wes Moore tells the compelling story of two men who share a name but not a fate. The characters surrounding each Wes Moore—from devoted mothers to absent fathers, from inspiring mentors to dangerous influences—help explain how their lives diverged so dramatically. Read more about The Other Wes Moore characters and how they influenced the boys’ futures.

Irreducible Complexity: Are Humans Too Perfect?

How to Visualize Success and Achieve Your Goals

What is irreducible complexity? Why is irreducible complexity part of the argument for creationism? Irreducible complexity is the idea that things in the universe cannot have evolved because they’re too complex. This relies on the idea that things can only exist in their final form. Read more about irreducible complexity.