Shortform Books

Compatibilist Free Will: What It Is & Why It’s Wrong (Sam Harris)

Do external factors determine our choices and behaviors? Or, do we operate freely? Compatibilists say “Yes.” Compatibilist free will describes the belief that both external factors and free will cause our behavior. Compatibilists bring together the ideas of determinists and libertarians, contending that we’re dealing with an “and” rather than an “or” when it comes to the way our will works. Continue reading to get an explanation (and an argument) from Sam Harris on the matter.

Why Is Conscious Capitalism Important? To Please Everyone

Why is conscious capitalism important? How does conscious capitalism benefit businesses and society? In Conscious Capitalism, John Mackey and Rajendra Sisodia discuss how conscious capitalism benefits all interested parties in businesses. They further explain why each party is important to business to emphasize why this economic system is so crucial. Keep reading to learn how conscious capitalism takes everyone into account.

Basic Story Structure Is More Complex Than You Might Think

If you have a beginning, a middle, and an end, do you have a story? Is that all there is to story structure? Story-writing experts generally agree that effective stories loosely follow the same pattern. This is called story structure, and most everyone knows that the basic story structure is beginning-middle-end. But, it’s not quite that simple. Read more to get advice from Rob Biesenbach and Robert McKee on how to leverage the basic story structure for the greatest impact.

Not Nice: Quotes by Aziz Gazipura on People-Pleasing

What are the best Not Nice quotes? Do you do everything people ask you to do? Being nice isn’t necessarily a bad quality to have. But Not Nice by Aziz Gazipura says that society’s fixation on niceness has changed why people are nice in the first place. Below are the best Not Nice quotes that represent Gazipura’s arguments.

The Top 3 Ways to Learn Through Association

How much do we learn through association? What are good association learning techniques? According to Unlimited Memory by Kevin Horsley, we learn everything by association. Association is when you make mental connections between the knowledge you already have and the knowledge you’re trying to learn. Continue reading for techniques that improve your association skills.

AI’s Carbon Footprint May Imperil Global Climate Goals

How big is AI’s carbon footprint? How fast is it growing? Can anything be done to curb it? AI’s carbon footprint and energy use are growing rapidly and could undermine global climate change goals. Mitigating AI’s emissions will require a combination of corporate carbon reduction commitments, AI efficiency improvements, a shift to renewable energy, and government regulation. Continue reading to learn how the growth of AI is affecting the environment.

The 6-Step Holistic Healing Method for Illness & Injuries

Does holistic healing work? Can you mentally improve your physical health? Holistic healing is a contemporary practice that’s also commonly known as “alternative medicine.” It’s a more natural method of improving health without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgical treatments. Check out José Silva’s holistic healing methods, from his book The Silva Mind Control Method.

How to Make Society Better: 2 Important Actions You Can Take

Where do you look to find meaning in life? How do you perceive injustices in society? In The Madness of Crowds, Douglas Murray shares his concerns about where society is heading. He offers two practical steps that each person can take to turn things in a positive direction: depoliticize your personal identity and gain a healthy perspective on injustice. Keep reading to learn how to make society better with these recommendations.

Freelancer Motivation: 3 Ways to Keep Going Strong on Your Own

Do you work for yourself and find it hard to stay motivated? What untapped sources of motivation are out there waiting for you? With a traditional job, it’s easy to know whether you’re on the right track—either you’re performing well and achieving traditional benchmarks, or you’re not. When you’re self-employed, it’s a little more complicated. Continue reading to learn three sources of freelancer motivation you should tap into.

Free Will in Philosophy: Sam Harris Explains 3 Views

Do we have free will? What are the various views and arguments entailed in the debate? Philosophers continue to wrestle with the issue of free will, discussing what it is and whether or not human beings have it. Sam Harris explains that three points of view have emerged: determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism. Read more to learn about these three schools of thought regarding free will in philosophy and to get Harris’s take on them.