Shortform Books

What Are the Challenges of Democracy?

What are the challenges of democracy? Why does democracy make it harder to exercise a freedom-based approach to economic development? According to Amartya Sen in Development as Freedom, one of the ways to approach poverty as a social problem is to implement democracy and capitalism. However, he does understand that the few challenges of democracy can get in the way of that. Read more to understand the challenges of democracy and why Sen is still hopeful we can overcome them to create stable economies.

What Is Emotional Trauma? The 2 Defining Factors

What is emotional trauma? How does trauma differ from distress? According to Oprah Winfrey and renowned psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry in their book What Happened to You?, there’s a difference between trauma and distress. The authors explain that trauma is made up of two factors: the stress response and the lasting impact. Continue reading for a discussion on emotional trauma and how it affects the brain.

What Are the 6 Pillars of Self-Esteem?

How does self-esteem affect mental health? What are some things you can do to improve your self-esteem? In modern times, most of us believe that improving our self-esteem is essential to our psychological health. According to psychotherapist and self-esteem expert Nathaniel Branden, low self-esteem is the underlying reason behind many psychological issues. He posits that there are six pillars of self-esteem: Live with Awareness, Accept Yourself, Take Responsibility, Assert Yourself, Live Intentionally, and Act with Integrity. Here’s how you can improve your own self-esteem by practicing the 6 pillars of self-esteem.

What Are the Main Causes of Poverty?

What are the main causes of poverty? What are the factors that keep someone in poverty? In Maid, Stephanie Land puts forth her own life as an example of how systemic problems and circumstances beyond a person’s control can force them into poverty. She shows that many factors contribute to and compound poverty. Let’s look at the main causes of poverty, using Stephanie Land’s own story of poverty as an example.

What Makes a Successful Team: The 3 Traits

Are you wondering what makes a successful team? In what ways do most businesses focus on the wrong achievements? Jeff Sutherland, software developer and management expert, believes that too much emphasis is put on individual achievements when it comes to business teams. Sutherland thinks that team accomplishments should be celebrated instead, and team accomplishments depend on three traits. Here’s why ambition, freedom, and integrated purpose are what makes teams successful.

5 Tips for Developing Emotional Competence

Why is emotional competence so important? How can emotional competence help mitigate the effects of stress? According to Dr. Gabor Maté, the author of When the Body Says No, chronic stress can lead to a number of physical ailments. It has even been linked to cancer. He explains that developing emotional competence is the key to counteracting the negative effects of chronic stress on the body. Here’s how to develop emotional competence to keep your mind and body healthy.

Mastery: Quotes by Robert Greene to Inspire You

What are some of the best quotes from the book Mastery? What can you apply to your own life to become a master in your discipline? In Mastery, Robert Greene, famous for The 48 Laws of Power, argues that there is a clear path anyone can follow to achieve mastery, the highest level of creative excellence. He explains the three stages of mastery, and he argues that pursuing it yields a fulfilling life and great creative power. Here are a few Mastery quotes that will give you insight into the book’s principles and inspire you to excellence.

Why Blind Obedience to Authority Is Dangerous

What are the dangers of having blind obedience to authority? What experiments demonstrate authoritative pressure? Authoritative pressure is when an individual or group in power bids you to do something. In The Lucifer Effect, Philip Zimbardo asserts that it’s far more likely that we will commit evil if we’re “just following orders.” Continue reading to learn more about blind obedience to authority figures.

Jamie Glowacki Potty Training: The Three Tenets

What are the three C’s to keep in mind when potty training your child? Why are these tenets crucial for successful potty training? Throughout the book Oh Crap! Potty Training, Jamie Glowacki emphasizes three main tenets for successful potty training. The success of Glowacki’s potty training depends on these tenets, so you should understand them before beginning to potty-train your child. Keep reading for more on Jamie Glowacki’s potty training tenets: clarity, consistency, and confidence.