Shortform Books

The Market Leader Company Explained: How to Stay Ahead

What is a market leader company? How do you achieve and maintain market dominance? According to Andrew Chen’s The Cold Start Problem, a market leader company is one that has pushed through all the negative effects of growth, is earning massive profits, and is using the network effect to ward off competitors. Chen’s book provides examples of market leaders and how they achieve success. Read on to learn all about market leader companies, according to Chen.

How Does a Fungus Reproduce? Attraction, Sex, & Spores

How does a fungus reproduce? What are the three steps of fungal reproduction? All life forms reproduce by replicating their DNA and passing it to the next generation. This includes fungi, which is the main topic of Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life. Below we’ll outline the multicellular fungi’s typical process for reproduction, including what we know and what we’ve yet to learn.

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong: Book Overview

What is I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong about? Aside from common microorganisms, how do the trillions of other microbes affect us and the environment? I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong is about the mysterious and fascinating world of microbes. In the book, Yong claims that although we often think of ourselves as individuals, we’re essentially walking ecosystems containing countless species of microbes living in symbiotic partnership with us. Read on for a brief overview of I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us by Ed Yong.

How to Be More Independent: 5 Ways to Overcome Dependence

Are you dependent on others? How can you be more independent and live freely? It’s great to have other people in your life who can help you, but there’s nothing more liberating than being able to do things by yourself. No matter if it’s at work, at home, or in a romantic relationship, having independence is a confidence booster. Here’s how to be more independent and take life into your own hands.

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Live Without Regrets

Has someone ever told you to live without regrets? Did you know this philosophy actually prevents you from living your best life? The philosophy of “no regrets” may sound liberating, but in reality, it ignores the benefits of regret. In his book The Power of Regret, Daniel Pink counteracts the “no regrets” philosophy with four arguments that defend regret. Here’s why you shouldn’t try to live without regrets.

Managing Priorities: The Key to Being Productive

Do you struggle to manage your priorities? What are some criteria you can do to identify the most important tasks on your to-do list? Managing priorities is the key to being meaningfully productive. When you’re able to identify and tackle the highest priority tasks first, you’ll progress a lot faster. However, it’s not always easy to identify what is most important from your to-do list. Productivity expert Chris Bailey gives some tips on how to identify the most significant, highest-impact tasks.

5 Quotes From The Wealth of Nations: Adam Smith Speaks

According to Adam Smith, how are humans different from dogs? What’s the real price of something? How did Smith regard taxation? Adam Smith, an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, is widely considered one of the founding fathers of capitalism. Published in 1776, his book The Wealth of Nations makes the case for free markets and individual self-interest as the best ways to grow a nation’s economy. Continue reading for several quotes from The Wealth of Nations that give you a good idea of the book’s ideas.

How Does the Government Raise Money? Tax & Borrow

How does the government raise money? Are taxes necessary? From whom does the government borrow money? Before governments can spend money on defense, justice, education, or transportation infrastructure, the money needs to come from somewhere. In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith identifies two principal sources of revenue: taxation and borrowing. Continue reading to learn about these two methods of raising money.

The 4 Steps for Critical Thinking: A Process for Any Problem

Do you apply critical thinking to problems that come your way? Could you use a step-by-step process? In Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving, Bigrocks Thinking explains how you can enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to improve your learning, your work, and your personal life. They share four steps for critical thinking that you can apply to any situation. Continue reading to learn about these four critical thinking steps.

How to Praise Your Child With Empowering Words

Wondering how to praise your child using words? What do experts recommend when it comes to delivering effective praise to children? Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish believe the key to success is teaching kids a communication style that helps them be empathetic and responsible throughout their lives. In their bestselling book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they explain how to praise your child using descriptive, empowering words. Read on to learn how to praise your child with words, according to Faber and Mazlish’s advice.