Shortform Books

Cortes and Montezuma—The Meeting that Killed 20 Million Aztecs

What happened when Hernán Cortés sailed from Spain to Mexico and met Montezuma? Why was Cortés able to conquer Montezuma and the Aztecs so easily? How did the meeting of Cortés and Montezuma mark a turning point in the way we think about other people? We’ll cover how Cortés and Montezuma met, and look at how this meeting between two people of completely different backgrounds, mindsets, and assumptions is indicative of misreadings of strangers that are common today.

Florentino Aspillaga’s Revelation About Cuba Shocked the CIA

Who was Florentino Aspillaga? What does his revelation to the CIA say about the problem of how to know when people are lying to us? Florentino Aspillaga was a Cuban intelligence officer disenchanted with Fidel Castro’s regime. In 1987, he defected and fled to the American Embassy in Vienna. Learn why what Florentino Aspillaga told the Americans was so important, and what it can teach the rest of us about how hard it is to know who to trust.

Graham Spanier Trusted Sandusky—Would You Have?

What was Graham Spanier’s role in the Jerry Sandusky case? Why was Graham Spanier fired as President of Pennsylvania State University? Did he deserve to be fired? We’ll cover the events leading up to Graham Spanier’s exit from Penn State, and discuss why you probably would have acted just as Spanier did in his position.

Truth-Default Theory—Why You Assume Strangers Tell the Truth

What is Truth-Default Theory? Why do we tend to assume the best in people, and is this evolutionarily beneficial? Truth-Default Theory is the theory that when a stranger is lying, human beings default to assuming truth in others. We want to believe that what others tell us is true, and we’ll default to truth unless, or until, our doubts can’t be explained or rationalized. We’ll cover the primary reason that most people cannot immediately identify a lie, and how the Truth-Default Theory may actually be an evolutionary advantage.

Coupling Theory—Surprising Ways Context Alters Your Behavior

What is coupling theory? How do some of our most unconscious behaviors impact others? Coupling theory is the idea that some behaviors are “coupled”–a behavior is linked to a specific context. A person’s behavior is affected by his personal history and environment. We’ll cover the coupling theory as it relates to suicide rates and also discuss how context impacts behavior more generally.

Ana Montes: How Cuba’s Spy Fooled Colleagues for Years

Who is Ana Montes? How did she manage to fool her colleagues in the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for so long? Ana Montes was an agent with America’s Defense Intelligence Agency. She was known as the “Queen of Cuba” for her expertise in Cuban intelligence. She was also a spy for Cuba. Learn how Ana Montes fooled her colleagues, and why we’re all vulnerable to missing the signs right in front of us.

Jerry Sandusky Case: Why He Got Away with Assault for So Long

What happened during the Jerry Sandusky case? Why was Jerry Sandusky able to get away with abusing children for so long? Who’s to blame in the Jerry Sandusky case? We’ll cover the elements of the Jerry Sandusky case and discuss why the people around him trusted him–and why they shouldn’t be penalized for being trusting.

Do Enhanced Interrogation Techniques Lead to False Confessions?

What are enhanced interrogation techniques? On what kinds of subjects are they used? Are they effective? Enhanced interrogation techniques are techniques including walling, sleep deprivation, and waterboarding. They’re often used in the fight against terrorism. Learn why enhanced interrogation techniques may be counterproductive, leading to misleading or false confessions.

How to Build Healthy Friendships: Get a Growth Mindset

What is the secret to developing healthy friendships? What if you’re shy? What if there are problems in your friendship–is it a lost cause? Should you throw in the towel? The secret to healthy friendships is the secret to healthy relationships in general: having a growth mindset. We’ll cover how a growth mindset can help you create and maintain healthy friendships and help you deal with your shyness.

Brock Turner Case: Is It More Nuanced Than You Think?

The Brock Turner case outraged many. Should Brock Turner have received a harsher penalty for sexual assault? More time behind bars? Were there any nuances to the Brock Turner case? While many people have strong opinions about the Brock Turner case, Malcolm Gladwell thinks it’s not so simple. Learn the many ambiguities in the Brock Turner case, according to Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers.