Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

What Is the Goal of Communication? The Secret Motive

What is the goal of communication—really? Why did Sheila talk to you at the office Christmas party? Why did she nod her head at almost everything you said? Hidden motives are a byproduct of humanity’s social nature, so it’s no surprise that they show up in our most fundamental forms of communication. Both our speech and our body language are full of messages other than the ones we’re directly aware of. Keep reading for an enlightening discussion about the hidden goals of conversation and body language.

It Is Better to Be Feared Than Loved: Machiavelli Explains

Is it truly better to be feared than loved? Why does Machiavelli think so? This assertion from The Prince has become an adage over the centuries. You’ve probably heard it, but you might not know what Machiavelli means and what his argument is. Continue reading to understand why Machiavelli believes that it is better to be feared than loved.

What Is Moral Virtue? Virtuous Actions + Reasons

What is moral virtue? Is it simply being good, or is there more to it than that? In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle concludes that happiness comes from consistently making the right choices over the course of a lifetime (rational activity aligned with virtue). Not only must the actions be right, but the motives behind them must also be right. Keep reading to understand how, in Aristotle’s view, virtuous actions and virtuous reasons add up to moral virtue.

Hyper-Growth Startups: Outpacing Competitors

What’s a hyper-growth startup? What makes them grow so fast? How are they funded? In their book, The Unfair Advantage, Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain what hyper-growth startups are. They discuss how these businesses get started, how they’re funded, and what type of product or service they typically involve. They also provide some insight into the chances of success and what it’s like to be part of one of these businesses. Keep reading to learn the basics of hyper-growth startups.

Why Do We Lie? How We Hide Our Motives

Why do we lie about our motives? Why do we seek to deceive others and ourselves about the reasons for our behaviors? At first glance, the idea of hidden motives may seem convoluted. The answer, according to Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, is that, as a cooperative social species, we evolved to advance our own interests while appearing as selfless as possible—and it’s easier to deceive others if we’ve already deceived ourselves. Let’s explore this theory about why we tell lies about our reasons for doing what we do.

Lifestyle Startups: An Intro to the Basics

What’s a lifestyle startup? Is it the right kind of business for you? Entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain what lifestyle startups are and why they’re usually self-funded. They offer a bit of insight into what it takes to make this type of business profitable. We include some pros and cons of small business ownership to help you know what kind of business is right for you. Continue reading to learn the basics of lifestyle startups.

What Makes a Happy Life: Aristotle’s Recipe for Happiness

What makes a happy life? Must you have or do something in particular? According to Aristotle, a person must have certain life circumstances to be capable of happiness. Specifically, he notes two requirements of a happy life: prosperity and longevity. Continue reading to learn more about Aristotle’s two ingredients for happiness.

Machiavelli: Borgia Should Have Been More Prepared

Might Cesare Borgia have conquered all of Italy? Where did he go wrong? During the Italian Renaissance, Cesare Borgia found huge success and was poised for more. But, it all came crashing down around him. According to Machiavelli, Borgia might have stayed in power if he had been more prepared for life’s inevitabilities. Keep reading to learn how fortuna can destroy a prince.

Human Limitations: How We’re Between Animals and Gods

How are we limited in our pursuit of happiness? Can we still be happy? We can reason, so we’re above the animals. But, we can’t eternally contemplate, so we’re below the gods. In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle addresses human limitations and discusses how we still can strive for happiness, even within constraints. Keep reading for Aristotle’s views on human limitations.

Why Reputation Is Important: Leveraging Trust

Do you have a good reputation in your field? Are you making the most of the trust you’ve earned from others? In The Unfair Advantage, entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain how your reputation can give you a leg up over the competition. Other businesses and professionals do what you do, but they don’t have the same status and connections you have. You can leverage your reputation and relationships to find success. Read more to learn why reputation is important and how to use it to your advantage.