Shortform Books

Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World (Overview)

How can the U.S. bolster its influence in the world? Why isn’t it stronger than it is? The United States has an attitude problem. It views the world through a self-centered lens, based on the assumption that U.S. actions and policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. That’s the view of General H. R. McMaster, who writes about this in his book. Continue reading for an overview of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World.

How to Make a Difficult Decision: 3 Tips to Consider

Why is it so hard to make decisions? What are some ways you can narrow down your options to make it easier to arrive at an optimal choice? Decision-making is difficult because nobody has access to perfectly accurate, comprehensive sources of information. Rather, our information is often messy and flawed, so we can’t always predict how our decisions will pan out. That said, there are strategies and tips that can help you arrive at the most optimal decision given the information you do have. Here are some tips on how to make a difficult decision.

Dark Money by Jane Mayer: Book Overview

How have the Koch brothers influenced American politics? What policies and candidates have they supported, and why? In Dark Money, award-winning journalist Jane Mayer argues that the wealthy elite in America has used their fortunes to propagate far-right ideology in American politics between the 1970s and 2016. She discusses conservative business tycoons Charles and David Koch in particular. Continue reading for an overview of Dark Money by Jane Mayer.

Empathic Listening Skills: The 3 Keys to Better Listening

What are empathic listening skills? How can you listen with empathy? Empathy requires you to give the other person your undivided attention. In 4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication, Bento C. Leal recommends three practices to develop your empathic listening skills. Keep reading to learn how to engage in conversations by listening.

Employee Bonus Programs: Motivate & Engage Your Employees

What are the benefits of instituting an employee bonus program? How do you build a bonus program? According to Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham’s book The Great Game of Business, bonuses are a proven method of rewarding employees. Lucky for managers, bonus programs also encourage employees to work harder because they have a financial goal to achieve. Continue reading for a breakdown of how employee bonus programs work.

Sexual Intimacy in a Marriage: Tips for Great Marital Sex

What is the key to having awesome sex in a marriage? Why do married couples begin to struggle with their sex lifes? The most common reason sexual intimacy in a marriage falls by the wayside is that couples struggle to communicate their desires to each other. Therefore, having a fulfilling marital sex life is a matter of learning to talk about sex. Here are some helpful tips for making communication about sex easier.

You Can Heal Your Life: Book Overview (Louise Hay)

Are you critical of yourself or others? Do you struggle with relationships, money, or work? In her book You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay argues that negative experiences in childhood cause us to form negative beliefs about the world, which in turn manifest in negative life experiences in adulthood. She says that the solution is simple: By transforming your negative thoughts into positive ones, you can create positive experiences in your life. Below is a brief overview of You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.

Why John Rawls Said Utilitarianism Is Unjust

What is John Rawls’s critique of utilitarianism? Why does Rawls consider utilitarianism immoral? Utilitarianism was a dominant theory of justice during Rawls’s time. In A Theory of Justice, Rawls criticizes utilitarianism on the grounds of allowing the majority to oppress a minority. Here are John Rawls’s utilitarianism views.

How to Control Your Thoughts and Emotions: A New You

Does your past dictate your future? Can you rewire your mind and essentially shape who you are from now on? In 1996, neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a stroke. During her recovery, she learned something incredibly valuable: understanding your mind lets you change the way you think and take responsibility for your emotional responses. Read more to discover Taylor’s “stroke of insight” on how to control your thoughts and emotions.

What Is Cognitive Diversity & Its Benefits?

What is cognitive diversity? What are its advantages? Why are cognitively diverse groups stronger? In Rebel Ideas, author Matthew Syed explains what cognitive diversity is and why cognitively diverse groups are superior. He claims that cognitively diverse groups can harness the diverse knowledge of their members, leading to increased performance and innovative ideas. Keep reading to learn more about what cognitive diversity is and its benefits, according to Syed.