Shortform Books

Freakonomics: Book Club Exercises for a Thoughtful Discussion

Would you like to understand your fellow humans better? When is conventional wisdom wrong? What if you thought like an economist? Authored by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything applies the tools of economics to explain real-world phenomena that aren’t conventionally thought of as “economic.” The book contains fascinating implications and applications. Continue reading for discussion questions and a quiz that you can use with your Freakonomics book club.

Richard Feynman: Science Requires Intellectual Honesty

What’s Richard Feynman’s approach to science? What should scientists do with doubt? What’s every scientist’s responsibility? According to Richard Feynman, science is a serious business. Feynman is known for having fun and enjoying his work, but he also has a reputation for integrity in his field. In his memoir, he writes about the importance of intellectual honesty and accountability in science. Continue reading to learn Feynman’s views on the practice and profession of science.

How to Be More Self-Sufficient: The 3 Golden Rules

Want to learn how to be more self-sufficient? What are the most important things to know about relying on yourself more? The 50th Law explains the importance of cultivating a fearless mindset in life, and an important aspect of fearlessness is learning how to be more self-sufficient. According to the book, there are three rules for self-sufficient living that everyone should know. Read on to learn how to be more self-sufficient, according to the advice in The 50th Law.

Prototype Testing: Why It’s Important for Every Company

Why is testing your products important? What are the types of prototypes you should use in the experiment stage? Prototypes are a popular way of testing out your products before they hit the shelves. This way, you won’t put out faulty products, or ones that won’t do as well against your competitors. Continue reading to find out how prototype testing works and why 101 Design Methods by Vijay Kumar says you have to do it.

What Is Performance Coaching? Sir John Whitmore’s Guide

What is performance coaching? What are the different types? How does performance consultant Sir John Whitmore explain what it means to be a performance coach? According to Sir John Whitmore, performance coaching is a partnership in which coaches help business leaders and workers develop the skills to maximize their potential and drive performance. As a pioneer of workplace coaching, his book Coaching for Performance explains in detail the ins and outs of performance coaching. Read on to learn more about what performance coaching is (and isn’t), according to Whitmore.

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Mindfulness Meditation Tips & Tricks

What is Jon Kabat Zinn’s mindfulness meditation practice? What postures should you use to meditate properly? Formal meditation requires you to focus on your breathing, posture, and visualizations. If it sounds hard, don’t fret. Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn has plenty of advice for making your meditation smooth sailing. Continue reading to learn how to escape the world and focus on mindfulness meditation.

How the American Intellectual Class Fails in Its Duty

What’s the role of intellectuals in society? How has that role changed in America over the years? Sociologist C. Wright Mills says that America’s intellectual class used to run interference for the people, helping them understand what was going on and know how to stand up for their interests. All of that changed after World War II. Learn how the American intellectual class is now part of the problem.

How to Optimize Email Marketing for Success in 2023

Are you trying to build relationships with customers and grow your business? How do you run an email marketing campaign? Email is an effective, multi-purpose tool that you can use to communicate important information with your customers and cultivate prospective business. Depending on how you design your campaign, email marketing can increase sales from existing customers, bring back inactive customers, or develop awareness of your brand for future customers. Keep reading to understand how email marketing works and how to optimize it for your business. Overview of Email Marketing Email marketing is a powerful strategy that can yield a return

The 4 Parts of the Yogic Mind—Explained

How to Visualize the Life You Want to Have in 3 Steps

What are the four parts of the mind in yoga philosophy? How does the human mind become imbalanced? In yogic philosophy, there are four aspects of the mind: intellect, memory, identity, and awareness. According to yogi Sadhguru, most problems humans experience are the result of a disbalance between these four aspects whereby memory, identity, and intellect override awareness. Keep reading to learn about the concept of the yogic mind, according to Sadhguru.

The Four Agreements Exercises: 21 Discussion Questions

Do you tend to take things personally? Are you always making assumptions? Are you a gossip? The world today is full of suffering and cruelty. From birth, we are trained to accept society’s rules as “the way it is.” But, agreeing to these rules stops us from becoming our true selves. The good news is that there’s a different way to live. Use these The Four Agreements exercises to help you implement a new approach to life.