Shortform Books

Being in Denial: How Lying to Yourself Corrupts Your Soul

Do you feel like you’re living in denial? Why do people deny what they know deep down is true? Denial is a psychological coping mechanism for protecting yourself from pain or discomfort. While being in denial about something can help you numb the negative feelings that will result from facing the truth about a situation (or yourself), it can be dangerous in the long term. Keep reading to understand the psychology of denial, why living in denial is harmful, and how to overcome it and face the truth.

How to Write a Story Outline: Advice From Robert McKee

Why should a story outline take more time than the other steps in the writing process? Should you work forward or backward? In his book Story, Robert McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Let’s look at McKee’s advice for how to write a story outline.

Why Are Prices So High Right Now & Will Inflation Go Down?

Why are prices so high right now? When will inflation go down? Will prices go back to normal anytime soon? Inflation, which took off in 2021, has surprised economists with its durability, remaining at levels not seen in 40 years. Recently, though, it’s started to decrease—however, prices for everything are so high that consumers are left wondering if they’ll ever return to normal. Read on to learn why prices are so high right now and what economists predict will happen in the coming year.

Adam Smith’s Theory of International Trade: It’s About Freedom

Do embargoes lead to smuggling? Does trade benefit both countries? Is a trade deficit a bad thing? Adam Smith disagrees with restricting international trade for three reasons. He argues that it incentivizes smuggling, redirects domestic capital towards inefficient industries, and prevents countries from entering into mutually beneficial trade relationships. Continue reading for an overview of Adam Smith’s theory of international trade.

Victor Verster Prison: Where Mandela Felt Deceptively “Free”

How was Victor Verster Prison better than the first two prisons where Mandela was held? When and why was he released? Nelson Mandela spent a total of 27 years in three prisons, enduring harsh conditions but never giving up the fight for racial equality and freedom. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela writes about the last of those prisons: Victor Verster. Continue reading to learn about Mandela’s time at Victor Verster Prison and his eventual release.

How to Set Realistic Goals That Still Challenge You

Why is it important to set realistic yet challenging goals? How can you set these kinds of goals? According to author and journalist Steven Kotler, it’s much easier to concentrate on and achieve realistic goals rather than overly ambitious ones. In The Rise of Superman, Kotler provides useful suggestions on how to set realistic goals that still provide some level of challenge. Read on to learn how to set realistic yet challenging goals, according to Kotler.

3 Different Types of Fallacies: Sharpen Your Reasoning

Do both sides of an argument warrant the same amount of consideration? What’s the difference between correlation and causation? You’ve probably experienced this: You hear something that sounds great. But, when you think it through, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. A fallacy could be to blame. The more you know about fallacies, the better you’ll be able to evaluate information and arguments. Continue reading for a brief overview of three different types of fallacies.

Is Not Knowing Yourself Normal?

Is not knowing yourself normal? Why is it hard to know yourself? How can you develop a stronger sense of self? According to the authors of The School of Life, not knowing yourself is normal because your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can constantly change. They say, due to this, no one has a fixed identity. However, if we don’t attempt any self-reflection, we may end up making poor choices over and over again. Read on to learn why not knowing yourself is normal and how you can develop a stronger sense of self.

Grow Your Customer Base: 3 Network Effect Strategies

Why is it important to grow your customer base? What are some ways to attract new customers? In The Cold Start Problem, author Andrew Chen explains how to establish and grow a business from scratch based on the network effect business model. According to him, if you want to grow your customer base, it’s important to understand how the network effect works in business growth. Read on to learn three strategies to grow your customer base, according to Chen.

Fungi Intelligence: They’re a Lot Smarter Than We Thought

Are fungi intelligent? What can fungi teach us about our own intelligence? According to Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life, fungi possess a form of intelligence that’s very similar to our own. Because fungi can make decisions themselves, it’s possible that intelligence isn’t something that’s binary; rather, it’s a spectrum. Continue reading to learn how fungi intelligence can change ideas about intelligence as a whole.