The World's Best Book Summaries
How does empathy impact the way you view others in relation to yourself? What are the two different types of empathy? According to psychologist Paul Bloom, empathy is “the act of coming to experience the world as you think someone else does.” He makes an important distinction between two kinds of empathy: emotional empathy and cognitive empathy. Keep reading to learn about this perspective on empathy.
How does meditation tap into your unconscious mind? How can you use meditation for manifesting desires that you have? Carolyn Elliott explains that meditation is the primary method of employing what she calls “existential kink” to manifest your desires. Her book Existential Kink describes a six-step process for meditation, and we’ve condensed it into four steps. Let’s look at Elliott’s practice of meditation for manifesting desires.
What does “tragedy of the commons” mean? How do you participate in it, and how does it affect you? In his book Rationality, Steven Pinker explores why people make irrational decisions. He discusses game theory, which seeks to explain how rational thinking can go out the window when an individual’s needs are in competition with others’ needs. The tragedy of the commons is an example of this. Keep reading to learn about this fascinating—and sometimes devastating—dynamic.
Do diets make you fat? How does your body react to a restricted diet? Food plays such a big part in our survival. If we cut ourselves off from enjoying food, our bodies will be tempted to eat more to survive. Continue reading to learn why diets can end up making you gain weight, according to Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
How does Michael Lewis know so much about the Salomon Brothers? What did Lewis witness while working at the firm? In Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis, the Salomon Brothers are written about extensively with firsthand knowledge. Fresh out of college in the mid-1980s, Lewis joined the Salomon team, was trained in their philosophy of investing, and then became part of its culture. Get the inside scoop on what it was like working at Salomon Brothers in the 1980s.
How much pollution does the tourism industry actually cause? Is it possible to travel the world without polluting it? When we travel, we’re supposed to “leave nothing but footprints,” but tourism’s carbon footprints can wreak havoc on the planet. Thankfully, there are ways to travel responsibly and to give back to local communities, wildlife, and the planet. Here are some tips for seeing the world without harming it in the process.
What is an abundance mentality? How can you combat a scarcity mindset? The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership says that you must adopt a mindset of abundance if you want to be the best leader for your organization. In other words, believe that there are enough external resources (jobs, money, and so on) to make everyone happy. Discover how to embrace an abundance mentality below.
Do you wish you could be bigger, leaner, and stronger? Are you motivated to get fit and just need a plan that works? In Bigger Leaner Stronger, personal trainer Michael Matthews argues that you can get the physique you want. He presents science-based diet and exercise plans designed for men, and he provides a step-by-step guide to implementing them. Continue reading for an overview of Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews.
Why is there so much bad management around? How can you make sure you’re not part of the problem? In his book When They Win, You Win, employee experience expert Russ Laraway explains that employee engagement in the workforce is at an all-time low. But, it’s not the employees who are at fault; it’s their managers. Continue reading for an overview of this book that can help you become the kind of manager you want to be.
How do you spend your time? What would you discover if you accounted for every minute of your day? Radio journalist Celeste Headlee made positive changes to the way she lives and works. Now, she shares how you can live a healthier life—with ample leisure and social connection—by being more intentional about how you spend your time. Continue reading to see how this works and how you can change your relationship with time.