Shortform Books

Social Proof: Real-World Example Reveals the Dangers

How do we define social proofs? What are social proof examples in the real world? How dangerous are negative social proofs? In Influence, Robert Cialdini describes “The Social Proof Principle,” which states that when people are unsure of how to behave, they base their behavior on the behaviors of others in the group. Social proofs can be defined as a way to cope with insecurity and pursue social acceptance. Read on for a social proof example in the real world, taken from Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed.

Doris Kearns Goodwin on Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidency

What is Theodore Roosevelt known for? What was the key turning point in Roosevelt’s leadership? According to Doris Kearns Goodwin, Teddy Roosevelt’s greatest achievements as a president would not have happened if it wasn’t for his family tragedy. He was stricken with immense grief, which made him dive deeply into his work, setting a chain of events that were instrumental in Roosevelt developing qualities that were essential to how he handled the 1902 coal strike. Here’s how Roosevelt’s crisis taught him bias to action.

How the Law of Attraction Works: Napoleon Hill Explains

Do you know how the law of attraction works? Do you believe in it? Wildly popular, often misunderstood, and sometimes ridiculed, the law of attraction is a feature in much of the self-help literature over the past century. Napoleon Hill, who popularized the law in his books, explains that it’s simply the notion that “like attracts like.” That’s why he stresses the importance of positive thinking. Keep reading for Hill’s discussion of the law of attraction.

Why You Should Embrace the Randomness of Life

How much of life is random? What can be gained by accepting that randomness? You could understand anything in the world by learning a finite set of rules and patterns that apply to all aspects of life. That’s the premise of The Great Mental Models series of books from Farnham Street (FS), a website dedicated to timeless knowledge and insightful ideas. The Great Mental Models Volume 3 argues that we can benefit by accepting that most of life is random. The benefits include making better decisions, making fewer prediction errors, and enjoying more creativity. Keep reading to learn more about what

How to Improve Your Oral Communication Skills

Do you want to level up your communication skills? What are some things you should keep in mind when it comes to oral communication? Effective oral communication is one of the most important skills you could develop. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is to use the same techniques whether you’re talking with one person or a roomful of people—maintain the same level of confidence, attention, and engagement. Here’s how to improve your oral communication skills, according to author Jay Sullivan.

Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon: Book Overview

What is Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon about? What does it say about self-promotion? In Show Your Work!, Kleon argues that the best way to promote what you do is to publicly share it throughout your whole process, from the earliest phases to the finished product. This allows you to focus on honing your skills while making yourself available to be discovered. Continue reading for an overview of Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work!.

The Concept of Infinity: What Does It Really Mean?

What is infinity? How can we easily understand the concept of infinity? Infinity is a hard concept to grasp logically. The Beginning of Infinity‘s author David Deutsch believes that the human mind has a natural aversion to it. That’s why he found a way of explaining it that anybody can understand. Read more to have a better understanding of infinity as a concept.

Shipwreck of the Endurance: What Went Wrong?

What was the first sign that the Endurance was going to sink? How did Ernest Shackleton handle the Endurance shipwreck? In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his crew set out on a ship to Antarctica. But they got trapped in between two ice floes and the ice slowly destroyed their ship. Check out what Alfred Lansing’s book Endurance has to say about what caused the Endurance shipwreck.

On War by Carl von Clausewitz: Book Overview

How is it possible that defenders are responsible for most wars? Why is it a logical contradiction for military concerns to influence political policy? And why shouldn’t soldiers sleep in tents? Carl von Clausewitz answers all these questions and more in his treatise On War. While it was originally published in 1832, Clausewitz’s philosophical underpinnings of war are arguably still relevant in the modern day. Below is a brief overview of the key themes and takeaways from On War by Carl von Clausewitz.

What Makes a Good Mother? Only You Can Decide

What are the qualities of a good mom? How much does society decide what makes a good mother? Untamed author Glennon Doyle realized that she had been participating in cultural practices and belief systems that did not reflect what she believed true about herself and the world. When asked what makes a good mother, Doyle argues that understanding and being true to your values matters most. Read on to learn a new perspective on what makes a good mother according to Doyle’s realization that women are held “captive” by social conditioning.