Shortform Books

Elon Musk’s AI Projects & Starship Take Us Into the Future

What’s Elon Musk doing in the field of artificial intelligence? What’s next for SpaceX? Biographer Walter Isaacson details the companies under Elon Musk that are working hard to constantly push technology forward. Isaacson contends that Musk still views bringing about a positive future for humanity as his primary mission in life. Read on to learn about Elon Musk’s AI projects—specifically Neuralink and Optimus—as well as SpaceX’s Starship rocket.

Accepting Your Emotions: Give Yourself Permission to Feel

Do you give yourself permission to feel what you feel? Do you allow yourself to struggle and even fail? Clinical psychologist and management consultant Susan David promotes emotional agility. That means having objectivity about what happens and how you feel and then deliberately responding in a healthy way. Part of emotional agility is accepting your emotions as they are. Read more to learn about the importance and the process of giving yourself permission to feel.

Ask “Why?” and “Why Not?” to Learn, Create, and Discover More

How often do you ask “Why?” How can asking “Why not?” lead you down exciting new paths? In A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger highlights the fundamental questions (or question starters) “Why?” and “Why not?” He explains how these words form the basis of questions that can increase your knowledge, challenge your assumptions, and invoke your creativity to solve problems. Continue reading to discover the power of asking “Why?” and “Why not?”

Ray Kurzweil on the Negative Impact of Technology on Society

What’s the downside of technological progress? How worried should we be about the future? The road to the future of the technological Singularity isn’t without its dangers. Every technology has the potential for misuse, and the hazards involved with biotech, nanotech, and AI are substantial. Ray Kurzweil details some of those dangers while arguing the futility of trying to halt technological progress. Continue reading to get Kurzweil’s take on the negative impact of technology on society and what he recommends as a remedy.

How to Improve Your Self-Awareness: Exercises to Practice

How can you improve your self-awareness? What are good journaling exercises for self-awareness? According to The Source by Tara Swart, self-awareness is what helps you identify and take advantage of opportunities for change. She describes several journaling exercises that can increase your self-awareness. Let’s look at how to improve your self-awareness below.

The 4 Best Management Tips for New and Old Leaders

How should managers work to improve themselves? How can you run efficient meetings? In The First-Time Manager, organizational risk expert Jim McCormick explores tips for excelling in your management role. These tips include using your time and resources wisely, developing yourself, working with your superiors, and preparing for future opportunities. Below we’ll dive into these management tips so you can be the leader you’re meant to be.

Why Ketamine Clinics Are Closing All Over the US

Why did ketamine clinics suddenly become so popular? Why are so many ketamine clinics closing? Ketamine clinics (brick-and-mortar and virtual) are spreading across the US and promoting the drug as a therapy for depression and other mental health conditions. However, the treatments are expensive and many clinics are struggling to stay afloat. Here’s a look at the pop-up of ketamine clinics, why they’re so popular, and why many aren’t surviving.

Is a Superintelligent AI Coming? Here’s What Experts Say

What’s superintelligent AI? When will superintelligent AI be introduced to the world? In his book Life 3.0, Max Tegmark says an artificial superintelligence likely won’t be developed until 2055. While Tegmark certainly thinks a superintelligent AI is possible, other experts disagree. Let’s look at both sides of the argument about an artificial superintelligence’s possibility.

What Does a Tech Lead Do in Software Engineering?

What does a tech lead do? Within a software engineering team, what’s the role of a technical lead? A tech lead does strategic planning and oversees engineering projects from start to finish. The role of a technical lead is to ensure that each person on the team knows their role and contributes meaningfully. Learn more about technical lead roles and responsibilities in engineering.

How Mindfulness of Emotions Can Help You Sync Up With Reality

How do you feel right now? What’s going on around you at this moment? It’s important to view your emotions with objectivity. Clinical psychologist Susan David says that, when it comes to your present emotions, mindfulness can help you be real about what you’re feeling and why. Read more to learn how to achieve mindfulness of emotions and stay in sync with reality.