The World's Best Book Summaries
Is string theory correct? Is it even possible to find out whether it is or not? In The God Equation, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku suggests that string theory might be the path to uniting all the different laws of nature. But, many scientists reject string theory as a piece of mathematical sleight-of-hand. Read more to learn about the fascinating debate surrounding string theory.
What is the Anthropocene Epoch? How big of an impact have humans had on the planet? We might soon officially be living in the Anthropocene Epoch, a period in Earth’s history in which human activity has changed the entire planet. It means we’ve affected the planet as much as the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs and as much as the repeated Ice Ages. Keep reading to learn how new epochs are declared and why some think we shouldn’t call this epoch the Anthropocene.
What’s string theory? How close is it to a unified theory of physics? Physicists have yet to reconcile relativity, gravity, and quantum mechanics. But, according to Michio Kaku, string theory could be the solution. It’s the pioneering field that Kaku has been working to advance for all of his professional career. Continue reading to learn about this thought-provoking theory and why Kaku finds it promising.
What does it mean to think and behave rationally? What difference does rationality make? In his book Rationality, Steven Pinker argues that rationality and reason are essential. But, people often misunderstand them and end up acting irrationally even when they think they’re not. Carl Sagan would likely agree with Pinker, although he would come at it from a different angle and context. Keep reading to learn about the importance of rationality, according to Pinker and Sagan.
What’s the difference between understanding someone’s emotions and actually feeling their emotions? Why is it important to make this distinction? In his contrarian book Against Empathy, psychologist Paul Bloom differentiates between two types of empathy that equip us with distinct ways of caring about other people: cognitive empathy and emotional empathy. This distinction is critical for his argument against empathy. Read more to learn about cognitive empathy vs. emotional empathy.
What’s the best diet to lose fat and build muscle? Which matters more—how much you eat or what you eat? In Bigger Leaner Stronger, Michael Matthews argues that you can get the physique you want without a trendy diet or a brutal workout. All it takes is a simple and scientific approach to nutrition and exercise. He advocates flexible dieting—a diet that allows you to lose fat, gain muscle, and eat the foods you love. Read more to learn about the Bigger Leaner Stronger diet and its “calories in, calories out” approach.
When are you most creative? What’s your chronotype? Do you leverage this information for maximum creativity and productivity? You have a particular rhythm of energy and alertness. When you’re aware of your ebbs and flows, you can schedule your day accordingly. This can help you maximize your creative work. Read on to get practical tips from creativity coach Mark McGuinness and bestselling authors Daniel H. Pink and Cal Newport.
What’s causing the record-breaking heat around the globe? Is it man-made or natural? The ten warmest years in recorded history all happened since 2010, and 2023 is on track to beat the record once again. Despite this, there are still many climate change skeptics. Here’s a look at the causes of the recent extreme heat and why the skeptics are wrong.
Why do people like stories? What answer can we find in the reason why storytelling developed in the first place? Stories aren’t just entertaining; they also satisfy a neurological need that humans evolved over millennia. That’s the view of Lisa Cron, who argues that our brains evolved to absorb important survival information through stories. Read more to understand why Cron urges writers to write in a way that satisfies our brains’ expectations of a story.
What’s the truth about the difference between the right brain and the left brain? Is one dominant over the other? Is one more important than the other? In The Master and His Emissary, Iain McGilchrist argues that pop psychology has given us a wrong—and dangerous—impression of the brain’s hemispheres. He contends that the right hemisphere is more important—and that our failure to recognize this threatens to rob our lives of meaning and happiness. Continue reading for an overview of this contrarian book.