Shortform Books

Class vs Caste: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between class vs caste? Can a subordinate caste member rise above their hereditary caste by climbing the class ladder? Class vs caste comes down to a difference in social mobility. While both are distinctions of group status, they are not synonymous. Class is a socioeconomic distinction, whereas caste is usually a fixed hereditary group. Read more to learn about the differences in class vs caste and how it manifests in the American society.

Extrovert Bias: Society Prefers Outgoing People

Does society prefer extroverts or introverts? How do society and America in particular show an extrovert bias? An extrovert bias is a societal preference for people with extroverted personalities. It is particularly common in American society, where outgoing leaders, students, and community members are given more opportunities than those that are reserved. Keep reading to understand what the extrovert bias is and what it looks like in American society.

The Effects of Controls on Staff, Workflow and Success

What are controls at work and what do they do? What are the effects of controls? Controls are used to set rules for acceptable actions and fixed parameters for behavior. The effects of controls vary based on the workplace culture, but they can impede workflow and restrict capable staff necessarily. Read on for more about the effects of controls and why Netflix removed controls.

Arlie Hochschild: Strangers in Their Own Land Theories

What is the Arlie Hochschild Strangers in Their Own Land book about? What ideas does the book present about conservative voters? Arlie Hochschild’s Strangers in Their Own Land seeks to tackle the conservative paradox and how we can overcome the empathy wall to build a better country. She examines conservative policies and why people continue to vote against their own interests. Read more about Arlie Hochschild, Strangers in Their Own Land, and conservative beliefs.

The Battle of Kurukshetra: History & Role in The Gita

What was the battle of Kurukshetra? Why is this battle so important in The Bhagavad Gita? The battle of Kurukshetra is one of the central conflicts in The Bhagavad Gita and has an important history. It’s important to understand why this battle is so important to main character Arjuna and why he seeks guidance. Read more about the battle of Kurukshetra in The Bhagavad Gita.

Employee Empowerment the Netflix Way

Do you want to know the key to employee empowerment? How does Netflix give its staff greater autonomy over to decisions? At Netflix, employees are given the freedom to make decisions in their areas of expertise. You can use their example of employee empowerment for your own organization. Keep reading to find out more about employee empowerment the Netflix way.

Georges Cuvier: Theory of Catastrophism

Who was Georges Cuvier? What contribution did he make to evolution? How did George Cuvier’s theory of catastrophism redefine the paradigm of extinction? Georges Cuvier was a French naturalist and zoologist from the 18th century. He is also known as the “founding father of paleontology.” Georges Cuvier’s theory of catastrophism convinced the skeptical scientific community of the reality of mass species extinctions. Read about Georges Cuvier’s theory of catastrophism.

Thomas Kuhn Quotes: Ideas on Scientific Revolutions

What are some noteworthy Thomas Kuhn quotes? Which quotes and passages highlight his most influential ideas about the history and philosophy of science? Thomas Kuhn was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science who is best known for his groundbreaking 1962 classic The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. The following Thomas Kuhn quotes encapsulate his revolutionary ideas about the history and philosophy of science. Here are four Thomas Kuhn quotes and what they mean.

Sunk Cost Bias: Know When to Cut Your Losses

What is the sunk cost bias or the sunk cost fallacy? How does it affect decision-making? The sunk cost bias or fallacy is a term that describes when someone keeps following through on an endeavor to justify previously invested resources. This tendency, which is related to loss aversion and status quo biases, is often the result of ongoing commitment and zeal towards a project. Keep reading for more about the sunk cost bias.

A Brief and Bloody History of Slavery in America

What is the history of slavery in America? What role did the institution of slavery play in the making of the American nation? The history of slavery in America dates back to 1619, when Europeans brought the first Africans onto the American soil. In 1865, slavery was officially abolished by the addition of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, but its legacy lingers to this day. Read about the history of slavery in America and how it contributed to the making of America as we know it today.