The World's Best Book Summaries
What does it mean to fall asleep consciously? What are the two techniques for conscious sleeping? Normally, we’re not aware of the moment when we fall asleep. However, it’s possible to fall asleep consciously with practice. Here’s how to sleep consciously so you can practice lucid dreaming.
How are democracies and dictatorships different? How is the size of their power base related to the way different leaders operate? In The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith say the primary goal of all leaders is to get power and keep it. This is true in all political systems; the differences between democracy and dictatorship can be seen in how power is gained and who holds leaders accountable. Keep reading to understand these crucial distinctions and to gain a deeper grasp on why democracy is a superior system.
What is experiential curiosity? What do experiences have to do with creativity? According to the book Wired to Create, those who desire new experiences tend to be more creative. This is because of the different forms of experiential curiosity. Keep reading to learn what experiences have to do with creativity.
What is self-leadership? How can you lead yourself to greatness? The one thing you can control is yourself, Clay Scroggins says. This is the most essential kind of leadership to embrace, as you’ll always have authority over your own behavior, regardless of your position in an organization. Below, we’ll explore a few types of self-leadership you should embrace.
Is economic inequality eroding the foundations of democracy? How does the widening wealth gap affect our social fabric? Democracy and economic inequality are increasingly intertwined in modern society. We draw insights from a philosopher and an economist to understand the complex relationship between these two factors, examining how growing social divisions and reduced social mobility can threaten democratic systems. Continue reading for perspectives on this crucial issue shaping our world today.
Why do people love Starbucks so much? What’s the customer experience at Starbucks like? When Starbucks was in desperate need of a new business model, one of Howard Schultz’s areas of focus was customer service. Schultz made changes in three key areas: improved communication with customers, polished store design and operations, and renewed social and environmental commitments. Let’s explore each of those areas now.
Why is it so easy for people to procrastinate? What productive habits can we build to overcome procrastination? Procrastination is frustrating because we know what it is and we can see how it hurts us, but we keep doing it anyway. In Solving the Procrastination Puzzle, Timothy A. Pychyl explores three forces behind procrastination: our desire for rewarding experiences, our trouble making realistic plans, and our lack of preparedness for obstacles and challenges. Let’s look at the reasons why we procrastinate, and what we can do to stop them.
What is reality-checking in lucid dreaming? What kinds of reality checks can you perform? If you’re learning how to lucid dream, you should start habitually reality-checking. By intermittently checking whether you’re sleeping or dreaming throughout the day, the thought will eventually translate to your dreams. Here’s how to perform a reality check.
How do political leaders rise to power? What strategies do they use to gain control of a party or a country? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith explore how to gain political power. They outline a two-step process that both dictators and democratic leaders follow to seize control. We break down their insights on building support and replacing existing governments. Read on to uncover the secrets of political power.
What is creative intuition? What’s the source behind intuition? In the book Wired to Create, Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire say that intuition is an important characteristic of creatives. They believe that intuition is a product of the automatic processing system of your mind. Continue reading to learn where creative intuition comes from and how artists use it.