The World's Best Book Summaries
Who decides what news makes it to the press and what doesn’t? How can news gatekeepers skew the public’s perception of affairs? In their book Manufacturing Consent, authors Chomsky and Herman believe that the elite control the news and media. By deciding what issues to focus on, they manipulate the beliefs of the general public. Here’s how media plays into the elite’s agenda.
What is omission bias? Why does it occur? Omission bias is the tendency to choose omission (inaction) over commission (action). Omission bias occurs because you feel guilty when your action leads to negative consequences, and less guilty when inaction leads to negative consequences. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind omission bias and why your brain tends to favor inaction over action.
What is inattentional blindness? Why does this effect occur? Inattentional blindness is a tendency to zone in on certain aspects of a situation and disregard the rest. Inattentional blindness is the result of the brain’s limited cognitive capacity: it simply doesn’t have the resources to process everything. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of intentional blindness, why it occurs, and how to combat it.
Are we living in the age of false knowledge? How did the advent of the internet contribute to the spread of false knowledge? In the internet age, false knowledge is spreading like wildfire. People consider themselves experts because they have easy access to information, but they never gain a deeper understanding of it. Here’s how the advent of the internet has given rise to the age of false knowledge.
Do you know how to learn effectively? What are some practical study habits you can use to learn more? In their book Learning How to Learn, Oakley and Sejnowski explain how neural pathways are created in your brain. Then they suggest four learning strategies that take advantage of the way your brain stores information: embracing a multisensory learning style, making up metaphors, skimming books first, and diversifying your studies. Keep reading for details on these strategies.
What is information overload? What’s the problem with having too much information? The dangers of information overload have grown increasingly severe in the modern world because there’s so much information available. According to Rold Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, excess information causes problems in two ways: burying basic facts and wasting time. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of information overload.
What is “scatterfocus”? What are the benefits of letting your mind be in the scatterfocus state? “Scatterfocus” is intentional mind-wandering—letting your mind roam free without any point of focus. According to Chris Bailey, the author of Hyperfocus, practicing “scatterfocus” can actually help you improve your ability to focus your attention. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of intentional mind-wandering, why you resist it, and why you should do it anyway.
Do you have an emergency savings fund? Why is it important to plan for financial emergencies? Many people have the mindset of “it couldn’t happen to me.” But the truth is, sudden financial emergencies can happen to literally anybody—they’re unpredictable in their nature. That’s why it’s so important to start saving for emergencies, so you’re prepared for things to go wrong. Here’s why you should plan for things to go wrong.
Is Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money worth reading? What is the key message to take away from the book? Most of us assume financial success depends on education and intelligence. But in The Psychology of Money, finance expert Morgan Housel presents an alternate hypothesis: The key to financial success lies in understanding human behavior. Here’s our The Psychology of Money review, including background, context, and critical reception by the readers.
What is the KIPP school model? How does the KIPP school model differ from the traditional American model of education? The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Academy began in the South Bronx as an experimental, public middle school intended to create opportunities for success for low-income, underserved communities. By extending students’ time in school (both over the course of the day and over the course of the year), KIPP’s approach compensates for some of the disadvantages low-income students face. Let’s take a closer look at how KIPP helped students succeed by challenging the cultural norms of the American school system.