The World's Best Book Summaries
How do genes code for proteins? What is the process by which DNA directs the synthesis of proteins? The genes in DNA contain instructions for building the proteins which carry out all the functions necessary for life. The process in which DNA creates functional proteins is intricate and involves many different enzymes (proteins that aid chemical reactions). Here’s how genes create proteins, explained in simple terms.
Is frailty a normal part of aging? How can we ease the elderly’s burden of living with frailty? Because more of us reach old age than ever before, we live longer with its frailty. Worn out from long use, our bones lose density, our skin thins, and our organs begin to malfunction. Accustomed to medicine’s ability to restore our health, we aren’t prepared to live with these inevitable infirmities. Here’s why we should redirect our efforts to managing aging and frailty instead of attempting to cure the incurable.
What are the various kinds of markets in which you can sell your product? How do you determine which market is the right one for your product? Positioning means establishing the context for the use of your product, and selling your product in the right market helps provide that context. For instance, if you sell a new snack in the “chip” market, customers immediately know approximately what your product will look and taste like. Keep reading to learn how to target the right market and dominate it.
What is second-order thinking? How can it help you make better decisions? Because we live and act within large, interconnected systems—such as our workplaces or professional communities—our actions have consequences that ripple outward. Since anything you do has downstream effects, you should consider the immediate and secondary effects of any choice. Read more to learn how to use second-order thinking to everyone’s advantage.
How can poetry explain having a bad body image? What did Rupi Kaur’s negative self-image teach her? As she explores the struggle of having a bad body image, Rupi Kaur’s poetry in her book, The Sun and Her Flowers, expresses feelings of depression, envy, and longing. Kaur’s poetry gives intimate details of how women, especially women of color, come to terms with negative body image. Keep reading to learn about Rupi Kaur’s experience of having a bad body image, expressed through poetry.
Why did Steve Jobs care about the design of Apple products? Where did he learn his designing skills? Walter Isaacson (the author of the biography Steve Jobs) argues that the intellectual gift Jobs brought to the table was his interest and obsession with the aesthetics of design. Steve Jobs’s appreciation for design came from his father, who was a machinist and auto mechanic. Keep reading to learn how Jobs influenced the design of Apple products and the Apple Store.
In what ways does the current housing market resemble the 2006 housing crisis? Are we headed towards a second housing bubble? As housing prices spike and rents soar, it’s starting to feel like it did back in 2006. Luckily, there are some major differences between the current housing market and that of the 2006 housing bubble. To name some: there’s a decrease in the availability of credit and the cause of the inflated prices is different. Below, we’ll take a look at the current real estate market and compare it to the 2006 housing bubble.
What is artistic intent? What should be the purpose behind your artwork? In The Practice, Seth Godin says that you need a purpose behind your artwork. Artistic intent should involve what and who you’re making work for. Here’s how to establish your artistic intent to become a better artist.
How do you study for humanities vs. STEM courses? Why do you have to study differently for each? According to Cal Newport in How to Become a Straight-A Student, your studying techniques need to be different for humanities and STEM courses. In addition, you’ll need to study as much as you can for both. Learn how to study for humanities vs. STEM courses below.
Why do we avoid the things that matter most to us, even when we know that doing so makes us unhappy in the long run? What can you do to overcome procrastination? Sometimes, task avoidance and procrastination result from being overwhelmed with the work itself—especially when tackling a large or complex project. If that’s the case, try breaking down the project into manageable parts to avoid procrastination-spawning emotions like fear and anxiety. Here’s how “chunking” or breaking down projects can help break the habit of procrastination.