The World's Best Book Summaries
Why do some people believe that we are immortal? Should this remove any fear of death? Citing the double-slit experiment, the Big Bang theory, and the theory of relativity, Mo Gawdat argues that death isn’t the end of us. Thus, we shouldn’t let a fear of death interfere with our happiness. Continue reading for a discussion of Gawdat’s ideas about death.
What is “the path”? How can it help you with accepting change in life? Mo Gawdat’s formula for happiness involves understanding that change is inevitable. If you don’t embrace change, you’ll suffer. He argues that pursuing “the path” is the best way to stop resisting change in life. Continue reading to discover Gawdat’s advice for accepting change and see how this is connected to your happiness.
When it comes to being true to yourself, what role do habits play? What price do you pay for living with integrity? Martha Beck shares five techniques for being true to yourself in her book The Way of Integrity. She discusses committing to telling the truth, focusing on making small adjustments, focusing on your yearning, enjoying the benefits of integrity, and forgiving yourself for violating your integrity. Continue reading for Beck’s five-part advice on how to live with integrity.
Is bitcoin a good substitute for fiat money? What are some bitcoin characteristics that make it superior to fiat money? In his book The Bitcoin Standard, economics professor Saifedean Ammous suggests that bitcoin has the necessary characteristics to become the global monetary standard. Specifically, bitcoin has what Ammous calls good “salability”—that is, the ability to transmit value. Let’s examine bitcoin’s salability across three dimensions: scale, space, and time.
Do you lack a sense of purpose in your life? How does knowing your purpose lead to a more fulfilling life? And how does one discover their purpose? Many people feel as though they’re simply existing in life, going through the motions without understanding the purpose of it all. If that sounds like you, a good starting point is to explore different perspectives by reading books on the subject. With this in mind, here are our picks of the best books on finding your purpose.
How do behaviors become habits? What can you do to make your brain internalize new habits faster? Habits are patterns of behavior that become more or less established in your daily life depending on how often you engage in the behavior. If you frequently reinforce a habit through your choices, it’ll get stronger. If you engage in the behavior less frequently, the habit will get weaker. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of habits.
What does the Big Bang theory suggest? How could understanding it better help us unlock one of science’s greatest mysteries? In his book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the Big Bang theory in terms that anyone can understand. He discusses what the theory tells us and what it might help us understand in the future. Read more for the thoughts of Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Big Bang theory.
What is blinding in research? How can you tell when a researcher is practicing good blinding? Blinding is a controlled research technique that involves the placebo effect, where neither the patients nor doctors don’t know which drug is being given. However, some researchers use bad blinding techniques to influence the participants in some way. Continue reading to learn how blinding in research works, according to Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science.
What is Stoic philosophy? What’s the difference between Greek and Roman Stoicism? What are some common misconceptions about Stoicism today? In A Guide to the Good Life, philosophy professor William B. Irvine offers a brief history of Stoicism and an overview of its basic tenets. He compares Greek and Roman views of Stoicism, and he explains why the philosophy isn’t always well understood today. Continue reading for Irvine’s explanation of Stoic philosophy that sheds light on the good life and its pursuit.
What is the book The Snowball about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In her book The Snowball, Alice Schroeder details the life and career of business magnate Warren Buffett. In the field of high finance, Warren Buffett stands alone as a man not driven by appearances, ego, or the quest for an easy dollar—but as a man of integrity and honesty. Read below for a brief overview of The Snowball book about Warren Buffett.