The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you often find yourself falling down the negative thinking spiral? How do you break the habit of negative thinking? Human beings are creatures of habit. Once you get into the habit of thinking a certain way, it sticks with you. The longer you practice the negative thinking habit—whether consciously or unconsciously—the harder it is to break. Here’s how to break negative thought patterns once and for all.
What was China’s one-child policy? How did the one-child policy affect China? Between 1980 and 2016, China had a one-child policy designed to combat overpopulation by limiting families to having one child. The policy restricted women’s rights, caused higher child mortality rates, and led to more crime in the nation. Continue reading to learn more about the impact of China’s one-child policy, according to Amartya Sen in Development as Freedom.
What is the key to success? How do your ideas of what it takes to achieve success compromise your ability to do so? Many people believe success is a matter of luck, talent, or intelligence. While these things matter, the key to success lies in your mindset. According to Richard Koch, the author of The 80/20 Principle, there are three core beliefs you must internalize to embark on the path of success: 1) major improvements are always possible, 2) it’s your duty to enjoy life, and 3) time is abundant. Let’s examine the mindset shifts you must make to invite
What role does self-esteem play in modern education? Why is it important that educators put effort into building healthy self-esteem in their students? Developing self-esteem should be a major objective, not an afterthought. That’s the view of psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden. Since the aim of educational institutions is to provide students with the skills and qualities necessary for professional success, they must make building self-esteem—not compliance—their central focus. One way to do this is through the curriculum. Read about the importance of self-esteem in education and how schools can adjust their curricula to promote healthy self-esteem.
What are the main themes in Stephanie Land’s book Maid? What is Maid about? Maid is Stephanie Land’s New York Times bestselling memoir of her life as a single mom struggling to make ends meet. The book features themes of abuse, flawed government policies, poverty, and more. Read on to learn the six themes of Maid by Stephanie Land.
What is the slip-box notes system? How does the slip-box note-taking method help you take better notes? The slip-box notes system (also known as Zettelkasten) was created by German sociologist Niklas Luhmann. The slip-box system is specifically designed to help you both have and share original insights—and make the writing process easier overall—it has several benefits over the traditional writing process: For example, using it will make you more efficient and lead to more creative insights. Here you’ll learn the specific steps to effectively use the slip-box note-taking system to create a publishable manuscript.
How does exercise benefit the brain? Can physical exercise help with mental health issues? It’s no secret that exercise is key to staying fit and preventing disease. But when it comes to the brain, exercise is rarely factored in as a preventative measure. Keep reading to learn about the mental benefits of exercise.
What is the gut? What function does the gut serve in the body? Your gastrointestinal tract starts in the mouth and ends at the anus. The gut serves a number of important functions in the body, including breaking down food into its constituent nutrients, regulating the microbiome, and eliminating waste. Here’s how your gut works and why it’s important to keep it healthy.
What are Yamanaka genes? How can these genes reverse aging? Yamanaka genes are a group of genes that encode transcription factors that have been shown to convert mature cells into stem cells. These factors hold promise in our quest to reverse aging—stem cells can grow into any type of cell (e.g. neurons, heart cells, liver cells) and could be used to replace the age-related cell damage. Here’s how Yamanaka genes can one day help reverse your biological clock.
What’s Vex King’s Good Vibes, Good Life about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King argues that the key to living your dream life is to have good vibrations or “good vibes.” The key to minimizing bad vibes and maximizing good ones, King argues, is self-love and acceptance. Below is a brief overview of Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King.