Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

How to Compliment People: Make Them Feel Validated & Seen

What kind of compliments do you appreciate most? How can you compliment others in a way that’s received especially well? Some compliments feel better than others. That’s because they come in different categories. Social interaction expert Patrick King draws vital distinctions among categories of compliments and shows why some go a lot further than others when it comes to making people feel validated, seen, and appreciated. Keep reading for King’s advice on how to compliment people in meaningful ways.

International Trade Geography: Why Trade Routes Matter

Why do Latin American countries struggle to grow and connect with each other? Why do superpowers want close relations with Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia? According to Tim Marshall in Prisoners of Geography, the answer to these questions lies in geography, specifically the geography related to trade routes. He explains how trade routes shape development and why nations compete to secure these routes. Read more to learn the basics of international trade geography with some examples to illustrate the ideas.

How Does Life Work? Nick Lane Answers the Vital Question

What is life? How does life work? Can organization and complexity arise from chaos? Biochemist Nick Lane answers these questions as a starting point in his exploration of life’s origins. He says that, to explain the origin of life, we have to understand how cells process energy and the physical conditions that gave rise to the peculiar mechanisms that all life uses to power itself. Read more for Lane’s explanation of how life works.

3 Eras of Left Hemisphere Dominance: A Unique View of History

Why was some religious art destroyed during the Reformation? What’s the evidence that Descartes was left brain dominant? What can we learn from the instances of mental illness in the modern era? Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist thinks the right brain hemisphere belongs in control. He points to several historical eras that he says illustrate power imbalances between the hemispheres. Continue reading to understand how, according to McGilchrist, left hemisphere dominance defined certain eras in history.

The Geography of Energy: How Nations Compete for Fuel

What was behind Imperial Japan’s ambitions? Why are some European nations reluctant to oppose Russia? Journalist Tim Marshall explains how geography shapes how nations interact with one another in his book Prisoners of Geography. He shows how, based on its geography, a nation might need to focus on securing energy resources. Read on to learn about the fascinating geography of energy.

2 Simple Ways to Maintain Physical Intimacy in a Relationship

Should you and your partner talk about sex? If so, when and how? What are some ways to communicate without words? Sharing physical intimacy in a relationship is a major way to maintain your and your partner’s happiness with each other. Relationship experts recommend that you communicate about sex. But, their recommendations for how to communicate about sex differ. Keep reading to learn these physical intimacy strategies and determine what’s worth trying in your relationship.

Questions to Make a Conversation Interesting & Meaningful

What types of questions move a conversation in a meaningful direction? How can you appropriately let someone know that you don’t require a response? Good conversations happen only if the other person feels good when they talk to you. You want to do all you can to ensure your conversation partner feels important and heard and will want to keep engaging with you in the future. One way to do this is by asking the right kinds of questions. Read on to discover how to use several types of questions to make a conversation interesting and meaningful.

This Is Marketing: Seth Godin Helps Marketers Learn to See

Why shouldn’t companies focus on selling? What should they focus on instead? What’s the ultimate goal of marketing? In his book This Is Marketing, Seth Godin explains why old marketing techniques are no longer effective. He outlines four bedrock principles to help guide successful marketing in the modern age. Continue reading for an overview of this practical book that can benefit all business leaders.

3 Harms of Living in a World of Left-Brain Hemispheric Dominance

Does it seem like we’re increasingly losing meaning in our lives? Are we prioritizing knowledge over wisdom? Iain McGilchrist argues that the right brain hemisphere is more important than the left. The problem is that we live in an era when the left brain dominates. He makes three predictions about a world dominated by the left hemisphere and explains why such a world would diminish our happiness. Keep reading to learn three ways that left-brain hemispheric dominance is detrimental to society, according to McGilchrist.

Geography and Climate Change: New Trade Routes & New Fears

How does global warming impact geopolitics? Why are new trade routes both a blessing and a curse? Climate change impacts geography. In turn, geography impacts politics and economics. Tim Marshall discusses this fascinating and important link in his book Prisoners of Geography. Keep reading to understand the connection between geography and climate change.