Shortform Books

Racial Segregation: Arbitrary “Purity” Standards

What is the history of racial segregation? How did the dominant caste use skin color as a tool to stratify society and justify different living standards? According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, one of the ways racial segregation is upheld and justified is through the narrative of the purity of blood. The concept of pure vs tainted blood created restrictions around who is allowed into the dominant caste. Read about the history of racial segregation.

Voting Against Self Interest: The Conservative Vote

What does voting against self interest mean? Why do people vote against their own interests? Voting against self interest continues even when people are faced with evidence of bad outcomes. Yet, people continue to do it because it satisfies an emotional truth. Read more about voting against self interest and why people do it.

Bhagavad Gita Lessons: Teachings From Ancient Text

What are The Bhagavad Gita lessons? What does the book teach about Hinduism and spirituality? The main The Bhagavad Gita lessons are about finding God and spirituality through your purpose. These lessons are taught through main character Arjuna, who talks with the god Krishna. Read more about The Bhagavad Gita lessons.

Corrective Feedback: Difficult, But Worth It

What is corrective feedback? What does it achieve and why is it important? Corrective feedback is constructive criticism that is aimed at identifying issues and helping direct someone on how to resolve it. While validation may feel better, corrective feedback is the key to growth. Read on for more about corrective feedback and how it helps.

What Caused the Ammonites’ Extinction?

What are ammonites? When did they become extinct? What are the suggested causes behind ammonites’ extinction? Ammonites are a group of coil-shelled mollusk animals that went extinct 66 million years ago. Scientists don’t know the exact cause of ammonites’ extinction, but it is theorized that they died as a result of ocean changes due to the asteroid strike. Keep reading to learn about ammonites’ extinction causes.

The Federal Reserve: The Great Depression Failure

What was the Federal Reserve’s role in the Great Depression? Did the Federal Reserve cause the depression, and how did they respond? The Federal Reserve in the Great Depression played an important role. The Fed failed to act in the run-up to the Depression, worsening the effects. Read more about the Federal Reserve, the Great Depression, and how they’re connected.

Race and Socioeconomic Status: How It All Started

What is the connection between race and socioeconomic status? What is the history behind this relationship? Race and socioeconomic status are intimately intertwined. To disentangle the relationship, we must go back to the era of Reconstruction. Read about the connection between race and socioeconomic status.

A Paradigm Shift in Science Changes Everything

The 2 Primary Biological Causes of Depression

What is a paradigm shift in science? How does a paradigm shift change scientists’ observations and interpretations of the objects of their study? A paradigm shift in science occurs when there is a fundamental change in the conceptual and experimental framework that upholds the whole scientific discipline. A paradigm shift doesn’t just change how scientists interpret their observations, but also what they see (i.e. the observations themselves). Keep reading to learn about paradigm shift in science and what happens in its aftermath.

How to Be a Better Listener and Team Member

Do you want to know how to be a better listener? Why is listening critical as a manager and team member? Bill Campbell, the Trillion Dollar Coach, emphasized the importance of listening to get better results. He offers some tips on how to be a better listener and examples for when it makes a big difference. Read on for tips about how to be a better listener.

Groupthink Examples Show Problems With Teamwork

What does groupthink look like in action? How do groupthink examples show how collaboration can go wrong? Groupthink examples exist in many settings. Despite the emphasis American society places on teamwork, these efforts may lead to poorer ideas. Read on for groupthink examples in work and school.