Shortform Books

Too Much Confidence: Why It’s a Problem & What to Do About It

Is it bad to be overly confident? Why is it important to temper your confidence? Having too much confidence in your beliefs and abilities makes you too assured that all your views are correct, making you closed off to alternative perspectives. According to Adam Grant, the antidote to overconfidence is a healthy dose of doubt. When your doubt and confidence are balanced, you have faith in your abilities and can acknowledge that you may have more to learn. There are several ways to balance your level of doubt and confidence.

What Is a Liberal Arts Education? The Ideal College Experience

What is a liberal arts education? How does it differ from programs that emphasize career development? According to William Deresciewicz, an ideal college experience benefits both individuals and society. He argues that a high-quality college education is a liberal arts program that nurtures students’ self-insight and equips them with the skills to uphold democracy. Continue reading to learn what a liberal arts education is and why Deresciewicz thinks it’s ideal.

Stoic Self-Control: 4 Ways to Be the Captain of Your Ship

If your life were a ship, would you be the captain or a passenger? Are you in control, or are you just along for the ride? In The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman say that self-control is central to the Stoic way of living. They explain that you can control your view of life in four ways: recognize what you can and can’t control, notice yourself, be mindful of your emotions, and see your assumptions. Read more to learn four ways to live with Stoic self-control.

The Importance of Asking Questions Anytime, Anywhere

What is the importance of asking questions? Should curiosity be encouraged? According to Francesca Gino’s book Rebel Talent, rebels constantly ask questions and gather information to better understand and connect with the people around them. Asking questions also helps them tap into their creativity and ingenuity. Here’s how asking questions can help you grow as a person.

Unresolved Trauma in Adults: James O’Brien’s Story

If you experience trauma in childhood, how might that affect you as an adult? What’s a “survival personality”? In How Not to Be Wrong, James O’Brien tells how the trauma he experienced as a child shaped his life as an adult. We compare O’Brien’s perspectives to those found in books such as What Happened to You? and The Body Keeps the Score, which take a more clinical approach to some of the same issues. Keep reading for a discussion of unresolved trauma in adults, starting with O’Brien’s own experience.

Leonardo da Vinci: Life Story and Biography

What is Leonardo da Vinci’s life story? What places did he spend his life in? Leonardo da Vinci spent his life in many places—Vinci, Florence, Milan, Rome, and France. These places influenced his art and his life story. Below, we’ll explore his life from his birth in Vinci in 1452 to his death in France in 1519, as described in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the polymath.

The Dangers of a Surveillance Economy, According to Zuboff

What is a surveillance economy? Why does it threaten your right to privacy? What are the other dangers? In The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff explores the concept and dangerous consequences of “surveillance capitalism.” By learning about these dangers, you’ll be better equipped to protect your privacy against a surveillance economy. Keep reading to learn about the surveillance economy and its consequences, according to Zuboff.

A Surprising Benefit of the Pandemic Most Haven’t Noticed

What, if any, benefits are there from the Covid-19 pandemic? What’s one particular benefit of the pandemic that we shouldn’t overlook? While some common benefits of the pandemic include a cleaner environment or improved healthcare services, employers are beginning to recognize another, lesser-known benefit. More companies are realizing that when workers’ mental health suffers, their engagement and productivity do too. Keep reading to learn about this surprising benefit of the pandemic for employers and employees alike.

Attachment Patterns in Psychology: Childhood Mirroring

What are attachment patterns in psychology? How does your childhood influence your current attachment pattern? Bestselling author Nicole LePera argues that the most effective way to overcome defensive childhood patterns is to consciously address the childhood experiences that caused you pain. According to her, the reason your attachment pattern holds so much sway over you is that you’re still using it to avoid feeling your childhood pain. Keep reading to learn LePera’s explanation of psychological attachment patterns caused in childhood.

The Environmental Justice Movement Harms Prosperity

Is the environmental justice movement an enemy of capitalism? Does the movement promote real science or just political ideology? Mark Levin believes that the environmental justice movement threatens prosperity. He argues that the movement uses faulty science to feign a crisis in order to grab more control. Read more to understand the argument that Levin presents in his book American Marxism.