Shortform Books

Steven Pinker Explains Why Correlation Doesn’t Equal Causation

Do you ever confuse correlation with causation? How can you accurately determine the cause of something? In Rationality, Steven Pinker examines why people make irrational decisions. Often, people run into problems when considering causation and correlation. He explains how to avoid the trap of linking them when they’re not connected and offers some tips on how to determine actual causes. Continue reading to understand why correlation doesn’t equal causation.

Why You Need an Institutional Trustee for Your Organization

What is an institutional trustee? Why do trustees need to have more than just financial responsibilities? Many people probably assume that trustees only worry about finances in organizations. But as Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf points out, trustees, ideally, should be prioritizing the social responsibility of institutions. Continue reading to learn about the ideal role of institutional trustees.

Wall Street in the 1980s: Bond Market & Salomon Brothers

What was Wall Street like in the 1980s? How did the Salomon Brothers make their fortune during this time? In the 1980s, Wall Street managed to recover from the high unemployment and inflation rates from the previous decade. This led to the rise of the bond market that the Salomon Brothers investment firm took advantage of. Let’s look at how the Salomon Brothers successfully navigated the bond market during this time.

How to Practice Intuitive Eating: 4 Tips to Help You Enjoy Food

Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? How can you practice intuitive eating? Diets can damage your relationship with food, making it difficult to fulfill your body’s nutritional needs and find pleasure in eating. In Intuitive Eating, dietician Evelyn Tribole and nutritionist Elyse Resch explore an alternative approach to dieting that promotes a healthy relationship with food and your body. Continue reading to learn how to practice intuitive eating.

How to Make Your Happiness a Priority as a Leader

Why should you make your happiness a priority? Why are leaders better when they’re happier on and off the job? The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership says that the best leaders are ones that prioritize happiness and positivity. Doing so will help you avoid stress, increase your energy, and maximize your effectiveness. Here are a few methods for prioritizing happiness and positivity.

The Negative Effects of Overworking: 3 Ways More Is Really Less

How much work is too much? Does multitasking increase productivity or lower it? Might you be addicted to technology just a little bit? In Do Nothing, radio journalist Celeste Headlee argues that, by trying to do too much, people are working less efficiently. This is because the human brain isn’t designed to multitask or work without rest. Also, the productivity culture has led to worse health outcomes and increased social isolation. Keep reading to understand the three negative effects of overworking that Headlee identifies.

Paul Bloom: Empathy Is Experiencing the World as Others Do

How does empathy impact the way you view others in relation to yourself? What are the two different types of empathy? According to psychologist Paul Bloom, empathy is “the act of coming to experience the world as you think someone else does.” He makes an important distinction between two kinds of empathy: emotional empathy and cognitive empathy. Keep reading to learn about this perspective on empathy.

A 4-Step Meditation for Manifesting Desires (Existential Kink)

How does meditation tap into your unconscious mind? How can you use meditation for manifesting desires that you have? Carolyn Elliott explains that meditation is the primary method of employing what she calls “existential kink” to manifest your desires. Her book Existential Kink describes a six-step process for meditation, and we’ve condensed it into four steps. Let’s look at Elliott’s practice of meditation for manifesting desires.

What Does “Tragedy of the Commons” Mean? Pinker Explains

What does “tragedy of the commons” mean? How do you participate in it, and how does it affect you? In his book Rationality, Steven Pinker explores why people make irrational decisions. He discusses game theory, which seeks to explain how rational thinking can go out the window when an individual’s needs are in competition with others’ needs. The tragedy of the commons is an example of this. Keep reading to learn about this fascinating—and sometimes devastating—dynamic.

Do Diets Make You Fat? How Restricting Causes Weight Gain

Do diets make you fat? How does your body react to a restricted diet? Food plays such a big part in our survival. If we cut ourselves off from enjoying food, our bodies will be tempted to eat more to survive. Continue reading to learn why diets can end up making you gain weight, according to Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.