Society & Culture Archives

The Compatibilist View of Free Will & Key Arguments Against It

Compatibilists say free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive. Learn what compatibilism is and why some believe it’s nonsense.

The attention economy turns your time and focus into commodities. Here’s how the economic model works and affects you and society

Attention has become a valuable commodity in the digital economy. Learn what attention is, how it works, and the psychology behind it.

Courage matters. Learn how it reveals our character, helps us live authentically, pushes us to grow, and creates a ripple effect beyond us.

Courage doesn’t mean fearlessness or grand heroic gestures. Learn how bravery is more nuanced—and more accessible—than you might think.

Stories are the center of our history, entertainment, relationships, and work. Check out Shortform’s storytelling guide to learn more.

Is there a modern form of racism that hides behind mathematical formulas and scientific authority? Learn what the New Jim Code is.

Ideological thinking is a cognitive process that goes beyond simply having opinions. Learn what happens in your brain when ideas take hold.

Embracing your finite nature can lead to gratitude, perspective, and a fuller life. Learn how stoicism offers a beneficial view of death.

Los Angeles became America’s bank robbery capital in the 1980s. Here’s Malcolm Gladwell’s analysis that points to an intriguing social issue.