Shortform Books

What Is a Good Woman? An Uncommon Answer

What is a good woman in today’s society? Should women follow society’s expectations? Untamed author Glennon Doyle deconstructed her beliefs and practices about marriage, motherhood, and family in her pursuit to answer the question: what is a good woman? Doyle’s answer suggests you should be constantly evolving into a more authentic and fully-formed version of yourself. Read on to find out what a good woman is, according to Glennon Doyle’s method of deconstructing old beliefs.

What Is Social Learning? The Reason Humans Survived

What is social learning? How does the ability to learn through imitation help Homo sapiens endure? Social learning is learning through imitation. According to Rutger Bregman, the author of Humankind, humans’ capacity for social learning was instrumental in the survival of our species. He argues that social learning is the key factor that made Homo sapiens survive and Neanderthals (who were bigger and stronger) die out. Keep reading to learn about the role of social learning in human survival.

Seeking Validation From Others: Why It’s a Problem

Do you tend to get upset when people don’t acknowledge or validate you? Do you often try to make other people happy at the expense of your own happiness? When your sense of self-worth depends solely on the positive feedback you receive from others, you become dependent on external validation. Inevitably, you often fail to receive the feedback you want. And, each time you fail, you assume that it’s because you’re inadequate in some way—if other people don’t feel you deserve their positive feedback, then you won’t believe you deserve it. Here’s how seeking validation from others impacts your self-esteem.

What Is Anti-Science? Carl Sagan Debunks 4 Criticisms

What is anti-science? Is it different from scientific skepticism? What are some of the most common criticisms of science? Science isn’t perfect. It should be challenged, questioned, and even criticized. Some of these criticisms, though, don’t hold water and amount to what could be called anti-science. This is the view of Carl Sagan, who discusses anti-science and addresses four of the most common criticisms that scientists face: science is evil, science is too narrow, science changes too fast, and we might be better off not knowing. Let’s take a look at how Sagan explains anti-science and unpacks these four criticisms.

Effective Listening: A Vital Skill for Life

Are you a good listener? Why is listening more important than talking? People want to be heard. We want to feel like someone cares about what we have to say. Therefore, effective listening is a skill that’s vital for both business and life. Not only does it help us understand the other person better, but it helps them understand us better as well. Here’s how to listen well, according to communication expert Jay Sullivan.

Naval Ravikant: Specific Knowledge Is a Key to Success

What does Naval Ravikant mean by “specific knowledge”? What’s his advice for developing a specialization? According to Naval Ravikant, specific knowledge is required if you want to build wealth over time. To develop a specialization, you first have to learn the basics of communication and math. Then, you must discover where your true interest lies. Continue reading to learn how to develop specific knowledge on your path to success.

Where Does Knowledge Come From? 3 Theories

Where does knowledge come from? Why does Deutsch believe knowledge comes from guessing? The book The Beginning of Infinity says that knowledge is infinite and people are responsible for finding it. But there are still different theories on how we gain such knowledge. Below we’ll go through the different theories on where knowledge comes from and why we should stay open-minded about knowledge.

How to Overcome Trauma: The 2 Steps Toward Healing

What are some practical ways to heal from the trauma you’ve experienced? How might you deal with your past in a way that gives you a brighter future? In The Gap and the Gain, entrepreneurial coach Dan Sullivan and organizational psychologist Benjamin Hardy contend that Gap- and Gain-thinking affect your well-being. Gain-thinking, they argue, can lead to a happier life. If you’ve experienced trauma, though, a happy life might seem out of reach. The authors provide techniques that help you frame your past trauma in a way that promotes Gain-thinking and puts you on the path toward healing. Read more

Carl Sagan: Is There Intelligent Life on Other Planets?

Is there intelligent life on other planets? What might that life look like? According to famous astronomer Carl Sagan, there is likely life on other planets, but the odds of it being intelligent are very small. However, if there are complex lifeforms out there, they’re probably nothing like we imagine. Here’s what Carl Sagan had to say about life on other planets.

South Georgia Island: Shackleton’s Final Rescue Effort

What happened to Ernest Shackleton on South Georgia Island? Did they find people to help them on the island? In 1915, the Endurance ship sank on the way to Antarctica. The crew’s leader, Ernest Shackleton, led a rescue mission that lasted for years and his final mission was to reach South Georgia Island for rescue. Find out if Ernest Shackleton’s final attempt at rescue was successful.