Shortform Books

What Is the Right-to-Repair Law & Why Is It Important?

What is the right-to-repair law? Why do people advocate for it? Will the legislation be passed in the future? Since approximately the turn of the century, a diverse contingent of owners, users, and independent repair workers has been pushing for the passage of right-to-repair laws. These laws would limit manufacturers’ ability to monopolize repairs on the products they sell. Keep reading for an overview of the right-to-repair law, including its importance to consumers.

Why Perfectionism and Procrastination Go Hand in Hand

What is the connection between perfectionism and procrastination? How does perfectionism fuel procrastination? Perfectionism is the most common reason we procrastinate: We set such high standards for ourselves and tell ourselves there will be dire consequences for not meeting those standards. As a result, we find it hard to even start working on something. Here’s how you can put an end to procrastination by making a shift in your mindset.

The Origins of Race Classification

Who invented race classification? How did slave owners justify Black inferiority? The post-colonial period saw the invention of racial hierarchies, which were justified by the pseudoscientific theories of that time. The purpose of the hierarchy of race was two-fold: justifying Black inferiority and preventing slave uprisings. Keep reading to learn about the origins of race classification.

The Top 2 Strategies to Achieve Employee Alignment

What is employee alignment? Are your employees dedicated to your company? Employee alignment simply means that your employees are on the same page as you when it comes to the company goals and expectations. In The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni says that employees must align with the organization’s goals for organizational unity. Read below to learn how to achieve employee alignment at your company.

7 Nonverbal Communication Cues That Convey Friendship

What are friendly nonverbal communication cues? How should you read these gestures? The Like Switch by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins outlines several nonverbal communication cues that you should take as friendly. These gestures can help you effectively communicate your openness to friendship. Below we’ll discuss the authors’ advice for using nonverbal cues to spot potential friends.

The Asset-Based Community Development Approach

What is an asset-based community development approach? Why should you focus on assets when reducing poverty? In When Helping Hurts, Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert say that sometimes outside resources are not the solution to reducing poverty in communities. Instead, you should first look at what the community already has and work from there. Below we’ll look at how assets can change how you approach poverty alleviation.

The National Debt Relief Lawsuit: Is the Plan Illegal?

Why is there a national debt relief lawsuit? Why do some opponents call Biden’s plan illegal or unfair? Millions are cheering President Biden’s plan to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in student debt, with about 40 million people eligible to benefit from the plan. However, others are calling the plan unfair, inadequate, and even illegal. Read on to learn about the national debt relief lawsuit and why Biden’s plan has fallen under criticism.

How to Lose Weight on a Plant-Based Diet: The 4 Ways

Do you want to lose weight? Do you know how to lose weight on a plant-based diet? In How Not to Diet, Michael Greger explains why eating plant-based foods helps to accelerate weight loss. He suggests four dietary changes to achieve this that you can implement into your daily eating habits. Let’s look at how to lose weight on a plant-based diet with Greger’s suggestions.

The 3 Best Solutions for Procrastination

What causes procrastination? Is procrastination a time management issue? What are some solutions for procrastination that actually work? Procrastination is often the result of poor time management, which is, in turn, the result of being out of sync with the passage of time. In other words, you procrastinate because your time perception is warped, which makes you underestimate how long tasks take. Here are three behaviors that can empower you to make the most of your time and put an end to procrastination.

What Was Thomas Jefferson’s Stance on Slavery?

What was Thomas Jefferson’s stance on slavery? How did the institution of slavery oppose Jefferson’s political interests? While claiming to cherish and respect people of all colors and ethnicities, Thomas Jefferson instituted policies that pointed to the opposite. Like many of his time, Jefferson found himself caught between his intellectual ideals (which opposed slavery and racism) and his economic and political self-interest. Ibram X. Kendi, a historian of race and discriminatory policy in America, deconstructs Jefferson’s slavery and racism views.