Shortform Books

What Is the School-to-Prison Pipeline?

What is the School-to-Prison Pipeline? When was the term coined and what does it mean? The term school-to-prison pipeline has been coined relatively recently (in the early twenty-first century), although the phenomenon itself has been going on for decades. But what exactly is the school-to-prison pipeline? Simply put, it’s the process whereby students from disadvantaged backgrounds are pushed out of schools and onto the pathway to prison. Keep reading for the answer to the question: what is the school-to-prison pipeline?

Inconspicuous Consumption: Experiences Mean More

What is the difference between conspicuous and inconspicuous consumption? Why are we happy making less money as long as it’s more than our peers? Inconspicuous consumption is when we spend money for our own benefit, such as on a vacation, while conspicuous consumption is when we buy materialistic things to demonstrate our wealth. Inconspicuous consumption will bring you more long-term happiness that is absolute, rather than relative happiness. Keep reading to learn why we should only be focusing on inconspicuous consumption.

Statistical Evaluation: How to Assess Legitimacy

What are the five questions you should ask yourself when looking at statistics? How can you tell when a statistic is being manipulated? It is important to perform a statistical evaluation before you trust any statistic you’re given. Many statistics are manipulated to fulfill an agenda but even manipulated statistics can provide you with valuable information. Continue on to learn how to perform a statistical evaluation.

To Let Go Of Pain, Weed Out Its Source

In what areas of your life do you feel especially sensitive and liable to feel pain? How have you inadvertently arranged your life around the desire to avoid it? And most importantly, what can you do to let go of this pain? Many people feel fragmented and deeply unhappy because they’ve built their whole lives on pain avoidance. From childhood, they’ve unconsciously built their thoughts, actions, and beliefs around avoiding their inner pain. Spiritual growth requires you to let go of pain, but for that, you must first embrace it, and only then, work on weeding out its source. In

How Religion and Science Benefit One Another

Is there any common thread between religion and science? What role does religion play in science? And how does science help to keep the institution of religion in check? While many view religion and science as enemies of one another, they influence each other in two profound ways. Specifically, science draws its ethical considerations from religion, while religion is kept in check by scrutiny of science. Here is how religion and science are interrelated.

Evolutionary Hypotheses and the Adaptationist Program

How do scientists come up with evolutionary hypotheses? What is the adaptationist program? Proper evolutionary reasoning undertakes the adaptationist program, which is a method of investigation that essentially makes hypotheses testable. This method can be used to help make important medical discoveries. Keep reading for more on evolutionary hypotheses and the adaptationist program.

Virtual Ownership: How Advertisers Sway You

What is virtual ownership? How do advertisers use virtual ownership to manipulate you into buying a product? How can you avoid it? Virtual ownership is the feeling of ownership of an object before you actually own it. Advertisers take advantage of this aspect of human nature through advertising and trial periods. Keep reading to learn more about virtual ownership.

Transcending Into Divinity: Can Humans Become Gods?

Can humans ever become gods? And if so, what will human divinity look like? Gods and humans are seen as two fundamentally different life forms, but what if humans can one day become gods? Theoretically speaking, humans can indeed become god-like, but not in the biblical sense of the word. God-like humanity is closer to the Greek or Hindu devas—flawed but powerful beings who have emotions and limitations. Keep reading for the answer to the question: can humans become gods?

Reciprocal Altruism Theory: Selfish Selflessness

Why do we feel a strong urge to repay favors, even from strangers? How does altruism lead to happiness? Is it possible to feel good while faking altruism? Reciprocal altruism theory states that we treat others as we have been treated by them. In other words, we may help others at a cost to ourselves, in hopes that others will repay the favor. This altruistic behavior came from evolution because by doing good for others, we are doing good for ourselves. Keep reading to learn more about the reciprocal altruism theory.

Get Out of Debt: A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Are you struggling to get out of debt? Are your debt contributions preventing you from spending your money the way you’d like? Being in debt can take an emotional toll. Learning how to systematically get out of debt will free you to save money for things you’d rather spend money on. Here’s how to systematically get out of your debt so you can save money for things you’d rather buy.