Shortform Books

3 Harms of Living in a World of Left-Brain Hemispheric Dominance

Does it seem like we’re increasingly losing meaning in our lives? Are we prioritizing knowledge over wisdom? Iain McGilchrist argues that the right brain hemisphere is more important than the left. The problem is that we live in an era when the left brain dominates. He makes three predictions about a world dominated by the left hemisphere and explains why such a world would diminish our happiness. Keep reading to learn three ways that left-brain hemispheric dominance is detrimental to society, according to McGilchrist.

Geography and Climate Change: New Trade Routes & New Fears

How does global warming impact geopolitics? Why are new trade routes both a blessing and a curse? Climate change impacts geography. In turn, geography impacts politics and economics. Tim Marshall discusses this fascinating and important link in his book Prisoners of Geography. Keep reading to understand the connection between geography and climate change.

3 Ways to Maintain Emotional Intimacy in a Relationship

How often do you have substantive conversations with your partner? How might a “relationship agreement” benefit you? Relationship experts contend that a key to maintaining a happy romantic relationship is to sustain emotional intimacy. Specifically, they suggest that you regularly connect with each other and let each other—and your relationship—evolve. Read on to discover three ways to maintain emotional intimacy in a relationship.

How to Be a Better Conversationalist: 3 Ways to Let Others Shine

Do you prefer to talk about yourself than learn about others? Do you know how to make people feel comfortable and understood? A good conversationalist is a thoughtful one. They don’t monopolize conversations, they make people feel seen and heard, and they show genuine interest in others. In Better Small Talk, Patrick King shows how to take good care of the person you’re talking to so they want to continue the conversation. Continue reading for King’s advice on how to be a better conversationalist by being a thoughtful one.

Empathy Sells: Seth Godin’s Definition of Permission Marketing

Are you wasting resources trying to reach people who aren’t interested in what you have to sell? How is permission marketing different from traditional marketing? In This Is Marketing, entrepreneur and marketing expert Seth Godin challenges conventional marketing strategies. He argues that, in today’s media-saturated world, traditional marketing techniques are no longer effective. Read on to understand the definition of permission marketing and why Godin thinks it’s preferable to older methods.

What Does ADHD Look Like? Breaking Down the Symptoms

What does ADHD look like? What are the primary symptoms of ADHD? Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté explains that if you have ADHD, you experience at least two of three primary symptoms: difficulty with attention, difficulty with impulse control, and difficulty with stillness. You may also struggle with secondary symptoms, including difficulty with self-esteem and difficulty with relationships. Let’s explore each of the symptoms in detail.

How to Improve Friendships—And Why It’s So Important

Do you prioritize time with your friends? How might each of your friendships be stronger? Children value the friendships they make in school or other activities, but adults too often brush them off. This is because most adults are in different stages of life, so friends come and go more easily. It doesn’t have to be this way—and it shouldn’t. Discover how to improve friendships so you can value them the way you did as a child.

How Do You Handle Difficult Situations That Need to End?

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Instinctive Reaction Tendency

How do you handle difficult situations? What types of situations are worth letting go of? When assessing difficult situations in your life, Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud says to look out for three types of negative situations. These include situations that are good but not great, mediocre situations that are unlikely to improve, and lost causes. Below we’ve broken down the types of situations you should get out of.

Will Grocery Inflation End? (+ What’s Causing It)

If inflation is going down, why are food prices still rising? Will the prices ever go down? What’s causing grocery inflation? Americans continue to feel the pain of rising grocery store prices, but food manufacturers appear unlikely to lower them—even as inflation cools and raw materials costs fall. Experts say that food prices will continue to rise through the end of 2023. Below we’ll take a look at the causes of grocery inflation, and predictions for the future.

How Immediate Gratification Fuels Procrastination

What is immediate gratification? Why do we prefer short-term rewards over long-term gain? Immediate gratification, also known as instant gratification, is one of the main reasons why people procrastinate. Procrastinators often seek out short-term rewards made by impulsive decisions, rather than fulfill long-term goals. Continue reading to learn how immediate gratification plays a role in procrastination.