The Benefits of Making Mistakes: 3 Reasons to Embrace Error

a smiling girl looking at a broken eggshell with smiley faces bursting out of it depicts the benefits of making mistakes

How can making mistakes be beneficial? What if being wrong wasn’t necessarily something to fear—but something to embrace? In Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the surprising benefits of making mistakes. She challenges our conventional wisdom about errors and presents a compelling case for why we should reconsider our relationship with being wrong. Read on to discover the unexpected ways that mistakes can help us survive, find truth, and even inspire joy and wonder.

Somewhere Between Certainty and Doubt: Where Beliefs Lie

a young man in a suit with a thoughtful expression looking up at question marks in the sky illustrates certainty and doubt

What’s the role of certainty and doubt in your life? How do these opposing forces shape your beliefs and decisions? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the continuum between certainty and doubt. She argues that we often default to certainty more than we know. She provides helpful insights into the necessity and dangers of our core beliefs. Read on to understand how certainty and doubt serve us in our daily lives.

Key Differences Between Democracy and Dictatorship

people behind a wire fence on the left and free people on the right depict the differences between democracy and dictatorship

How are democracies and dictatorships different? How is the size of their power base related to the way different leaders operate? In The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith say the primary goal of all leaders is to get power and keep it. This is true in all political systems; the differences between democracy and dictatorship can be seen in how power is gained and who holds leaders accountable. Keep reading to understand these crucial distinctions and to gain a deeper grasp on why democracy is a superior system.

2 Ways Democracy and Economic Inequality Are Connected

people standing on stacks of coins of different heights illustrate the link between democracy and economic inequality

Is economic inequality eroding the foundations of democracy? How does the widening wealth gap affect our social fabric? Democracy and economic inequality are increasingly intertwined in modern society. We draw insights from a philosopher and an economist to understand the complex relationship between these two factors, examining how growing social divisions and reduced social mobility can threaten democratic systems. Continue reading for perspectives on this crucial issue shaping our world today.

How to Gain Political Power: 2 Herculean Steps to the Top

a man from behind in a business suit climbing an ornate staircase illustrates how to gain political power

How do political leaders rise to power? What strategies do they use to gain control of a party or a country? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith explore how to gain political power. They outline a two-step process that both dictators and democratic leaders follow to seize control. We break down their insights on building support and replacing existing governments. Read on to uncover the secrets of political power.

How to Protect Democracy: 3 Strategies to Stave Off Threats

a security guard in front of a large granite building labeled "Democracy" illustrates how to protect democracy

Are you concerned about the state of democracy in your country? Do you wonder how to protect democracy in an increasingly polarized world? Shortform’s Master Guide to Threats to Democracy explores practical solutions to safeguard democratic institutions. We’ll examine several approaches that aim to strengthen democracy and foster a more inclusive political landscape. Read on to discover how you can play a role in protecting and revitalizing democracy in your community and beyond.

Faulty Perception: Why You Should Question Your Senses

a man standing on the shore of a loch in Scotland looking at what appears to be a sea creature illustrates faulty perception

Why do your senses sometimes deceive you? How can your own brain lead you astray? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the concept of faulty perception. She explains how our brains process sensory information and make decisions. She reveals surprising insights about our cognitive processes that are important for us to understand. Keep reading to better understand some of the hidden workings of your mind.

Bridging the Gap: 3 Potential Solutions to Political Polarization

the United States torn in two pieces of blue on the left and red on the right illustrates solutions to political polarization

Are you tired of the constant political bickering? Is there a way to bridge the divide between opposing sides? Shortform’s Master Guide to Threats to Democracy explores solutions to political polarization, offering strategies to heal deep social divisions. It presents three expert-recommended approaches to overcome the hostilities that threaten democracy’s functionality. Read on to discover how forging diverse coalitions, engaging in local politics, and finding empathy for your opponents can help mend our fractured political landscape.

How Beliefs Are Formed (and Too Often Invented on the Fly)

a cartoon of a woman reading a book while a factory is working in her brain illustrates how beliefs are formed

Do you know how your beliefs are formed? What if many of them are based on faulty information? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the fascinating process of how beliefs are formed. She discusses the ways our senses and storytelling abilities can lead us astray, creating beliefs that may not align with reality. Keep reading to discover the surprising ways your mind works in the formation of beliefs.

Thomas Piketty: Inequality of Wealth Can Be Reduced 3 Ways

cartoon drawing of three people each holding two dollars illustrates Thomas Piketty's inequality of wealth solutions

What do you think about the growing wealth gap in our society? Should this issue be addressed? According to Thomas Piketty, inequality of wealth can be dealt with. In his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century, he proposes three key economic reforms to reduce wealth inequality: a global wealth tax, increased financial transparency, and progressive taxation. Continue reading to understand Piketty’s ideas and their implications for society.