The World's Best Book Summaries
Why should you start a fundraiser? How do you create a crowdfunding campaign? If you have an idea that might change the world, you should consider starting a crowdfunding campaign. In Bold, Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler explain the benefits of a fundraiser and how to create one if you think people will invest in your vision. Check out how to create a crowdfunding campaign and make your vision come to life.
What is mimetic desire? Where did the theory originate? What are some examples of mimetic desire? In Wanting, Luke Burgis explores the ideas of René Girard, an academic whose theory of “mimetic desire” seeks to explain where our desires originate. According to Girard’s theory, we don’t form our own desires—rather, we imitate what other people want or have. Read on to learn more about what mimetic desire is, its origins, and examples in our daily lives.
Are you looking for The Brain That Changes Itself quotes by Norman Doidge? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge explains that the brain is plastic, meaning it can change its own structure and connections in response to stimuli. His book conveys complex ideas in a way that a layperson can understand and illustrates them through stories of real people whose lives have improved thanks to the power of neuroplasticity. Below is a selection of passages with explanations.
Do you consider yourself a good judge of character? How reliable are our social judgements? When we judge other people, we inadvertently but inevitably do that through the lens of personal biases. This results in generalizations and inaccurate judgments about people that can cause us to overlook the true reasons for their behavior. Keep reading to learn how to be a good judge of character.
How do you make someone obsessed with you? What are some psychological tactics you can use to make all their attention fixated on you alone? According to Robert Greene, the author of The Art of Seduction, the key to making someone invested in you to the point of obsession is to create a hook. You create a hook by crafting an illusion that you’ll lure the target into. With this in mind, here’s how to make someone obsessed with you, according to Robert Greene.
How is attention like a muscle? How is it like a camera? Daniel Goleman argues that attention is a complex and underappreciated cognitive resource in our modern society overrun with distractions. He shares three characteristics of attention: it’s indivisible, it’s like a muscle, and it’s like a camera. Keep reading to learn what Goleman means and to understand attention better.
How is it that the universe’s parameters are “just right” to support life? Can science ever solve this mystery? In his book A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson discusses a few of the unknowns and controversies that still exist in the sciences. One of those is the “fine-tuning problem.” Continue reading to learn about the fine-tuning of the universe and why it has many scientists scratching their heads.
Do you struggle with negative self-talk? How can you stop talking negatively to yourself? Negative self-talk or inner voice can severely affect your self-esteem and close you off from the joys life has to offer. This can, in turn, reinforce your negative state, pulling you further and further into the rabbit hole of negative thinking. Psychologist Ethan Kross explains how to quiet your negative inner voice by redirecting your attention.
What is Neuralink technology? What can this technology do? What are brain-computer interfaces? Neuralink is a medical research company working to develop a safe, effective, and affordable brain-computer interface (BCI). BCIs allow people to control devices such as computers and smartphones with their thoughts, but in theory such devices have extensive applications and possibilities. Read on to learn about Neuralink technology, what it can do, and what the future holds for the company.
How should you deal with our modern influx of information? Are there efficient ways to keep, process, and use information? Your brain can handle only so much. To compensate for this limitation, neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin recommends that you create systems to categorize information and store it outside of your brain. That frees up your brain to be more creative and productive. Here’s Levitin’s advice on how to deal with information overload.