Elizabeth Whitworth

Senior SEO Writer

Elizabeth has a lifelong love of books. She devours nonfiction, especially in the areas of history, theology, and philosophy. A switch to audiobooks has kindled her enjoyment of well-narrated fiction, particularly Victorian and early 20th-century works. She appreciates idea-driven books—and a classic murder mystery now and then. Elizabeth has a Substack and is writing a book about what the Bible says about death and hell.

Expertise

History, Theology, Government

Awards

Contributions to joint task force efforts (FBI), Contributions to Special Operations Division (DOJ & DEA), Efforts to fight the war on drugs (NSA), Contributions to Operation Storm Front (US Customs Service)

The 3 Benefits of Sociological Imagination: Seeing More

What can social scientists do to improve their work? How can they do a better job of connecting personal and social problems? In The Sociological Imagination, C. Wright Mills advocates for a different way of doing social science. Sociological imagination involves the development of one’s own methods, which Mills argues makes it easier to make a connection between personal and social problems. He believes that using sociological imagination can help social scientists more easily recognize their own bias, understand others’ perspectives, and maintain a broad scope. Keep reading to better understand the three benefits of sociological imagination.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson

Who’s Naval Ravikant? What wisdom does he have to share about building wealth and happiness in life? Many everyday people strive for wealth and happiness, but most of us struggle along the way and very few seem to achieve both. Still fewer share their insights about how to get there. Entrepreneur Naval Ravikant has become known for doing this online, via Twitter, podcasts, interviews, and blog posts. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a collection of those insights on wealth and happiness compiled by business blogger Eric Jorgenson. Keep reading for an overview of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by

What Is the Purpose of Social Science? Freedom

What is the purpose of social science? What should it be? In The Sociological Imagination, professor and sociologist C. Wright Mills argues that the main purpose of social science must be the preservation of freedom. In his definition of freedom, Mills directly connects it to our choices. He also discusses the contemporary trends he says threaten the possibility of a free society. Keep reading to learn Mills’s perspective on the purpose of social science.

The Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills

What is “sociological imagination”? Is it a better approach to social science? How does it protect human freedom? In The Sociological Imagination, professor and sociologist C. Wright Mills explains what kind of social science—that is, science that studies human society and its institutions—contributes to a free and open society. He argues that, to protect freedom, social scientists must develop a “sociological imagination”: the ability to understand the relationship between a society and the individuals living in it. Additionally, Mills critiques other contemporary approaches to social science and how they fail to protect—and in some cases, actively threaten—free society. Here’s our

The Habits of Happy People: Acceptance and Self-Care

What habits can make you happier? What everyday choices can you make to find greater satisfaction in life? Naval Ravikant believes that happiness is a choice. The right habits will make that choice stick. Ravikant outlines several habits relating to acceptance and self-care that he argues are essential to finding contentment in life. Let’s unpack these habits of happy people.

How to Accept Things as They Are & Find Freedom

Are you satisfied in life, or do you wish things could be different? How important is it to accept circumstances as they are? Naval Ravikant advocates the habit of acceptance. Acceptance is simply being content with a circumstance no matter what—it’s a kind of freedom. As he sees it, it’s freedom from things like frustration, expectation, desire, and so on. Practicing acceptance will help you find contentment. Read more to learn Ravikant’s advice on how to accept things as they are.

Holding Yourself Accountable & Avoiding Gap-Thinking

What’s Gap-thinking? How can you get out of it and stay out of it? What does it have to do with self-accountability? Gap-thinking is comparing who you are now to who you want to be. According to the book The Gap and the Gain, this is a recipe for unhappiness. Authors Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy argue that you should shift to Gain-thinking, which is comparing who you are now to who you used to be. They believe that holding yourself accountable is a key to getting out of—and staying out of—Gap-thinking. Keep reading to learn how powerful holding yourself

Increasing Science Literacy: Advice From Carl Sagan

What if the general public were more scientifically aware? What’s the path to get there? In The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan shares his concern about science illiteracy, especially in America. He believes that a general public that’s equipped with more knowledge about scientific principles and methods would be a positive force in the world. He outlines two ways to increase science literacy: improving science education (including instilling more enthusiasm for science) and increasing funding for scientific research. Let’s take a close look at this advice from Sagan.

How to Accept Yourself as You Are: 2 Ways to Find Joy

Are you constantly fighting who you are? Do you let others’ opinions get the best of you? The Almanack of Naval Ravikant offers advice on how to build happiness. Ravikant argues that self-acceptance is a must if you want to be truly happy. He explains that the keys are to accept your own mortality and stop obsessing about what others think of you. Let’s take a closer look at Ravikant’s advice on how to accept yourself as you are.

How to Make a Daily Plan & Focus on Your Gains

What’s the best time of day to make a daily plan? What are implementation intentions and linked habits? Gap-thinking and Gain-thinking are two different ways to interpret your achievements in life. Gap-thinking is measuring forward by using your ideal future self as the object of comparison. Gain-thinking is measuring backward by using your past self instead. In The Gap and the Gain, Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy share practical recommendations on how to make a daily plan that helps you stay focused on Gains. Keep reading for tips on planning ahead, one day at a time.