The World's Best Book Summaries
Can psychedelics really treat mental health problems? How do psychedelics affect the human brain? In what ways do psychedelics have the potential to fix society? In How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan shows his research on psychedelic trials and their impact on society. He also explores the history of psychedelics from the prehistoric period until now. Read below for a brief overview of How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan.
Since we now have complex organisms, why are there still simple ones? Where are all the intermediate species? From the start, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution raised eyebrows—and serious questions. In the sixth and final edition of On the Origin of Species (1872), Darwin responds to the three main objections raised by skeptics. Read more to learn about these objections to evolution and Darwin’s rebuttals in defense of his theory.
What’s a foundational memory? Can you deliberately create one? Why are concrete things easier to remember than abstract things? The Memory Book is a classic book that can help you put to memory and recall all kinds of information. Authors Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas share the basic memory principles that underpin the strategies they recommend. Keep reading to learn about these five principles of memory.
Did Charles Darwin coin the term “survival of the fittest”? What did Darwin say would bring down his entire theory? On the Origin of Species revolutionized the way people look at life on Earth. This scientific classic was originally published in 1859 by the naturalist Charles Darwin and went through six editions in Darwin’s lifetime as he continually revised and clarified his ideas. Read on for several Charles Darwin quotes from On the Origin of Species.
Will AI replace writers and freelance workers? Is it possible that AI will actually create more jobs for freelancers? Artificial Intelligence has thrown freelance marketplaces, their clients, and independent writers’ futures into an uncertain, transitional state. As AI’s ability to produce writing comparable to that of humans grows, platforms and writers will have to adapt to meet clients’ shifting needs and interests. Here are the different perspectives on the effect AI will have on freelancers.
How has psychology evolved over the years? What are the six major fields of psychology? Many college students take a Psychology 101 class, but not many of them actually absorb and remember the material. If you like the study of the mind but would rather pass on dry lectures, The Psychology Book offers a broad overview of psychology and how it’s changed over time. Read below for an overview of The Psychology Book.
What is Darwinian evolution? What does the process entail? How does evolution shapes organisms? On the Origin of Species explains and argues for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Essentially, the theory states that organisms weren’t created separately in their current forms. Rather, each species evolved gradually from other species over the course of millions of years. Keep reading for an overview of Darwinian evolution according to On the Origin of Species.
What does the history of LSD look like? What role does LSD play in modern Western culture? In How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan looks at the complicated role of psychedelics—most importantly LSD and psilocybin—in modern Western culture. As we’ll see, this is a history fraught with tension between experimenters and authority figures, a conflict between freedom and control. Find out more about the history of LSD, dating back to 1938.
Why did Charles Darwin believe all organisms share a family tree? How does natural selection work? What criticism did Darwin’s ideas receive during his lifetime? On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection revolutionized the way people look at life on Earth. In the book, Charles Darwin explains his theory of evolution and the genealogy of species as he understood it. He also responds to a few contemporary arguments against his ideas. Continue reading for an overview of this groundbreaking book.
What was the Human Genome Project (HGP)? What are the future implications of the HGP? The Human Genome Project, the largest genetic study ever undertaken, was an ambitious attempt to fully sequence human DNA. In the 20 years since the project’s completion, its accomplishments have reached well beyond the field of genetics, including information technology and medical ethics. Keep reading to learn about the Human Genome Project, the outcomes, and the future of the project.