Shortform Books

The Nazi Hierarchy Was Inspired by Americans

How did the Nazi hierarchy of race and religion come to be? How was the Nazi social order similar to the caste system in America? According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste, the Nazi hierarchy of race and religion was inspired by the caste system in America. Specifically, she argues, in designing their caste system, the Nazis took inspiration from the American eugenics movement. Keep reading to learn more about the Nazi caste system and how it was developed.

The Virtues of Decentralized Government

What are the downsides of a centralized government? Why is managing decentralized power structures (ironically) easier than centralized systems? In his book Skin in the Game, Nassim Taleb criticizes centralized power structures in which a few people make decisions that affect everyone. He argues that centralized systems are far too complex for individuals to effectively manage from the top down. Instead, Taleb advocates for the decentralization of power—smaller territories are more likely to govern themselves effectively. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of decentralized government: greater accountability and more democratic representation.

Why Is the Hero’s Journey Important and Relevant?

Why is the hero’s journey important? How does the hero’s journey apply in real life? When you recognize that the hero symbolizes the godly potential within all of us, you will recognize why the hero’s journey is important. All cultures and individuals make sense of the world they live in by telling stories. The hero’s journey tells us who we are, and what destinies we are here to fulfill. Read on to fully discover why the hero’s journey is important.

Big Magic: Book Review and Critical Reception

Is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic worth reading? What is the key premise you can take away from the book? Big Magic is author Elizabeth Gilbert’s guide to leading a more fulfilled life by making creativity, in any guise that suits you, a part of your daily existence. The book offers both spiritual wisdom on how to work with the magical forces of creativity, as well as suggestions on how to create effectively and productively. The following Big Magic book review covers the book’s context, background, and critical reception.

Nassim Taleb: Religion as a Means to Survival

Is religion rational? Does religion benefit or hinder human societies? According to Nassim Taleb, religion is rational in the sense that it contributes to our survival. With this in mind, he argues that everyone is religious to some extent because it is human nature to yearn for the survival of our species. In this article, we’ll explore Taleb’s take on religion as a tool for the end goal of humanity—survival.

Your Mind Is the Gateway to Universal Consciousness

What exactly is Universal Consciousness? Is there a way you can connect to the universal, all-encompassing mind? According to Joseph Murphy, Universal Consciousness is the “life force” that created and continues to manage the entire universe. You are already connected to the Universal Consciousness through your subconscious mind. Through this access, your subconscious mind orchestrates interactions and creates experiences that line up with your habitual conscious thoughts, expectations, and beliefs. These results reflect both how you feel about yourself and what you expect to experience in your life. In this article, you’ll learn how your subconscious mind aligns your life

Authority Bias: How Leaders Gain Blind Trust

A man in a business suit pointing and showing an adaptive leadership style

What is authority bias? How do you control the impact of the tendency? Áuthority bias is the tendency to blindly obey and adhere to the beliefs and instructions of authority figures. This tendency makes us vulnerable to manipulation by bad leaders. You can control the effect of this cognitive tendency by being careful when appointing leaders and taking time to verify the soundness of the decision of an authority figure. Read on to learn more about authority bias.

How to Instill a Sense of Purpose in Your Employees

Why is having a sense of purpose so important in the workplace? What can you do to foster purpose in your team? In their book Who Not How, authors Sullivan and Hardy explain that your personnel will give their best work when they have a purpose in what they’re doing. There are a few things you can do to instill purpose including encouraging collaboration, trusting your team, and avoiding micromanagement. Here’s how to instill a sense of purpose in your team.

Ostrich Effect Bias: Why People Avoid Negativity

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Ostrich Effect Bias

What is the ostrich effect bias? How dangerous is denial syndrome? The ostrich effect bias is the tendency to avoid negative information and refuse to accept that objective truth exists because it causes pain. This bias is dangerous because it can lull you into believing that a situation is better than it really is, which causes things to deteriorate further. Read on to learn more about the ostrich effect bias.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Quotes by P. Lencioni

Are you looking for The Five Dysfunctions of a Team quotes by Patrick Lencioni? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni explores the five most common obstacles (“dysfunctions”) to successful teamwork. Lencioni presents the five dysfunctions like a pyramid—each one builds on the next. And to solve all the dysfunctions, you need to start at the bottom and most fundamental dysfunction. Below is a selection of quotes with explanations.