Shortform Books

The National Rise in Immigration: Causes and Concerns

Why is there a national rise in immigration in the United States? What are the solutions? Although immigration has documented economic benefits, there’s also evidence that immigration causes some job disruptions and wage depression, as opponents of immigration fear. Work restrictions and deportation are two of the solutions to immigration established by the U.S. government. Read on for an overview of the national rise in immigration, including the proposed solutions.

What Are Psychedelic Drugs? The Benefits & Drawbacks

What are psychedelic drugs? Why are they becoming a popular treatment? What are the downsides? The main benefit of psychedelics is their potential for significant therapeutic benefits, including their ability to revolutionize psychiatry, a field that’s been floundering for decades. However, people arguing against psychedelic drugs say that we still don’t fully understand the risks. Keep reading to learn what psychedelic drugs are, including the benefits and drawbacks of using them.

What Causes Procrastination? The 3 Most Common Causes

What causes procrastination? Why do we sometimes choose short-term relief from fear over the long-term gains of persisting through daunting but important tasks? Although procrastination harms us, we still do it because it provides us with relief. Procrastination is essentially a coping mechanism: We procrastinate to cope with the fear of working on certain tasks. Here are the three most common fears behind procrastination.

Du Bois’s Double Consciousness Theory—Explained

What did Du Bois mean by “double consciousness”? How did the idea of double consciousness influence racial theory? The concept of “double consciousness” was introduced by W.E.B. Du Bois in his work The Souls of Black Folk published in 1903. The idea of double consciousness is important because it put the position of Black people in post-slavery America into perspective and encouraged other critical theorists to develop it further. Keep reading to learn about Du Bois’s double consciousness theory and what it meant in the context of post-slavery America.

The Legalization of Psychedelics: Pros & Cons Explained

What do proponents say about the legalization of psychedelics? What about those against legalization? The last few years have seen a surge of interest in psychedelics as treatments for intractable mental health conditions. However, some still wonder if psychedelics are as miraculous as their proponents say or if they may pose unacceptable risks. Read on for an overview of the current pros and cons of the legalization of psychedelics.

8 Ways to Prepare for a Disaster You Should Know

How should you prepare for a disaster? What are the most important things to know? The Covid-19 pandemic brought more than illness—it demonstrated the scarcity that can accompany a disaster. In its wake, and as climate change threatens more disruptions to supply chains as well as more severe weather events, society is discovering the importance of preparing for a disaster. Read on to learn the eight most important ways to prepare for a disaster to keep you and your family safe.

The Benefits of Hands-Off Leadership in Business

Leadership: What are the Major Traits of a Good Leader

What is meant by hands-off leadership? How does taking your hands off your business help you take it to the next level? Hands-off leaders don’t get mired in the minutia of daily operations. Instead, they train their employees to independently run all the daily functions and focus on making improvements to their company’s framework. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of hands-off leadership, according to Mike Michalowicz.

When Helping Hurts: Book Overview & Takeaways

What is the book When Helping Hurts about? What should you take away from the book? Since the 1980s, short-term mission trips have become a popular form of ministry for many evangelical Christian churches throughout North America. Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert express concern that many of these missions do more harm than good. Read below for a brief overview of their book When Helping Hurts.

How to Start Living by Your Values to Achieve Success

How can you start living by your values? Why do value-driven people achieve more success? In You Are a Badass, Jen Sincero argues that many people worry excessively about what others will think of them, which prevents them from pursuing goals. Psychotherapist Russ Harris adds that such worries are a form of fear—you fear the judgment of others and therefore opt out of activities that would otherwise fulfill you. Read on to learn how to start fearlessly living by your values, according to Harris’s advice.

Shortform Reads: For the Love of Culture

What event sparked Emily’s love for reading at a young age? What book made her rethink how she writes poetry? Emily is a member of Shortform’s marketing and blog-writing team. Currently located in Colorado, she spent several years of her life in Japan, giving her a wide range of cultural experiences that impact her reading and writing.