Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

Essentialism by Greg McKeown: Less Is a Lifestyle

What is the central premise of Essentialism by Greg McKeown? What does he mean by “the disciplined pursuit of less?” In his book Essentialism, Greg McKeown makes a compelling case for the disciplined pursuit of less (but better). It is a lifestyle philosophy that is premised on pursuing only things that are at the core of your identity (the essentials) and disregarding the rest (the nonessentials). Keep reading for more about Greg McKeown’s lifestyle philosophy of essentialism.

Time Blocking Method: The Key to Insane Productivity

Do you often feel like there isn’t enough time in a day to accomplish everything you’ve planned to do? Have you tried the time blocking method? The time blocking method is a time management technique that integrates the functionality of a calendar with a to-do list. It involves chunking a period of time—typically a day or week—into smaller segments that are scheduled for specific tasks. Keep reading to learn about the time blocking method.

The Upstarts Book: The Rise of Uber and Airbnb

What is The Upstarts book about? How did Uber and Airbnb grow from seedlings to internet juggernauts? The Upstarts is a 2017 book by Brad Stone, a New York Times best-selling author and a senior executive editor for global technology at Bloomberg News. It chronicles the history of Uber and Airbnb, from their founding in 2008 to present day 2016. Keep reading for more about The Upstarts book by Brad Stone.

Is Global Justice a Realistic Goal or a Pipe Dream?

Is global justice a feasible political goal? How can justice be realized on a global scale in such a complex and intricately connected world? Most of the injustices in the world are embedded in systems and structures which makes it almost impossible to know all of the effects of individuals’ actions. Further, humans’ brains haven’t evolved to grasp justice on a global scale because our sense of justice developed during the times of ancient hunter-gatherer societies who lived in small communities. Keep reading to learn about the dilemma of global justice.

The Rise of the Global Civilization: Towards Unity

Can it be argued that we are all part of one global civilization? What are the common themes that are shared by all nations of the world? As globalization has connected the world economically, socially, and technologically, all of humankind has merged into one global civilization. And although nations differ in terms of cultures and religions, they all follow virtually the same economic, medical, and scientific paradigms. Read about the rise of global civilization.

The Sunk Cost Effect: Why We Cannot Let Projects Go

What is the sunk cost effect? Why do we keep following through on projects that stop paying off? The sunk cost effect is a general tendency to continue on an endeavor once considerable resources have been invested into it—even when the costs start to outweigh the benefits. It’s human nature to respond this way—the more you invest, the harder it is to pull the plug on a commitment. Keep reading to learn about the sunk cost effect.

How to Stop Wasting Time and Start Getting Stuff Done

Do you often find yourself spending time on unproductive activities that add neither value nor enjoyment? How do you stop wasting time and start getting things done? Studies show that most people waste more valuable work time in a day than they realize. This time is wasted dealing with the various distractions thrown their way while they’re trying to work. To stop wasting time, you must learn to say “no” to distractions and “yes” to active focus. Keep reading for tips on how to stop wasting time and start getting things done.

The Problem With Nationalism: Us Versus Them

What is the problem with nationalism? How does nationalism erode the collective spirit and what are its implications for the world at large? Many people around the world are finding comfort in the identity and community of their nations, but there is a major problem with nationalism. Specifically, nationalism creates an “us” and “them” mentality, which makes it difficult to come together as a global civilization to address collective problems. Keep reading to learn about the problem with nationalism.

The History of Airbnb: From Seedling to Juggernaut

What is the history of Airbnb? How did the company grow from a seedling to a billion-dollar juggernaut? The history of Airbnb is a success story of an unassuming start-up started by two housemates who, strapped for cash, were looking for a “way to make a few bucks.” Little did they know that they were to become the founders of one of the most valued companies in the world. Read about the history of Airbnb from 2007 to 2016.

The Fine Line Between the Mind vs the Brain

What is the difference between the mind vs the brain? How do we know that the contents of the mind are generated by the brain? There is a fine line between the mind vs the brain. The brain is a physical organ, and therefore it can be studied externally, while the mind is the source of subjective experiences, and therefore it can only be observed internally. Experts assume that the mind is a product of the brain, but there’s no proof since you can’t peer into the mind using a brain scanner. Keep reading to learn about the mind vs