The World's Best Book Summaries
How can empathy get in the way of treating others well? What truly motivates us to care for people? In Against Empathy, psychologist Paul Bloom asserts that we don’t have to empathize with someone to treat them kindly. In fact, we often shouldn’t empathize. He discusses several other emotions and desires that should be at work instead. Read more to learn how to be kind to others—without employing empathy.
What’s the difference between the conscious and unconscious mind? Can they be united? Your conscious mind comprises the feelings, thoughts, and memories that you’re aware of. Your unconscious mind is everything that you’re currently unaware of. Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott says that, to become a whole being, you need to unite both the conscious and unconscious mind. Keep reading to learn how to be in touch with your whole self and take control of your life.
What are the top four competitive strategies in business? Which of these strategies is right for your operation? A competitive strategy is a tactic businesses use to gain an advantage in the market. Even within a niche market, there may be hundreds or thousands of markets to compete with, so having a good strategy can make your business more attractive to consumers. We’ll look at the four most common competitive strategies in business and explain how each of them can put you on top.
When is it rational to act irrationally? How might irrational thinking devastate an entire community? Steven Pinker examines how people make rational decisions as part of a group. He discusses game theory, which looks at how rational thinking is affected when the needs of an individual are pitted against the needs of others. In this context, he explains the zero-sum game, the volunteer’s dilemma, and the tragedy of the commons. Continue reading to understand rationality in game theory with examples from Pinker.
How many bad managers have you had? Are you sure you’re a good manager? What common assumption about good employees is misguided? Employee experience expert Russ Laraway says poorly trained, ineffective managers are everywhere, and they’re costing companies billions of dollars every year. However, he says he has the solution: By developing a few key leadership skills, you can greatly improve your team’s morale and performance. Read more to learn why ineffective management is so common, how you can determine your own effectiveness, and why improving your skills is easier than you might think.
Are you looking to build muscle? Should you burn fat first? You’ve decided you want to change your physique in some way. Before diving into a diet and meal plan, you should clarify your diet goal. In Bigger Leaner Stronger, personal trainer Michael Matthews discusses three aims you can choose from—losing fat, maintaining your current physique, or bulking up. Keep reading for Matthews’s insights on these three diet goals.
When was the mortgage bond era on Wall Street? How did bankers profit from home loans in the 1980s? The mortgage bond market was booming in the 1970s. The number of home loans that were borrowed was at an all-time high, and the investment bank Salomon Brothers found a way to capitalize on it. Discover more about how people profited off the mortgage bond market, according to Michael Lewis’s book Liar’s Poker.
How does being open-minded make you a better leader? Why should you be willing to listen to other people’s perspectives? Being a leader isn’t just about taking control and giving orders. According to The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, it’s also about humbling yourself and taking the time to see other people’s points of view. Learn how to be a more open-minded leader who listens to others.
Do you use the Pomodoro technique when you work? Is quiet quitting for you? Does collaboration help or hurt productivity? Celeste Headlee wants to help you rebel against the productivity culture and get your life back. She urges you to free up time by doing more focused work, stop working more than you need to, work with a group when you can, and create a dream schedule that includes leisure time. Read more to learn about these four healthy work habits that can change your professional and personal life for the better.
What causes cruelty? What role does empathy play? Does empathy have a dark side that we must avoid? There’s a common perception that cruelty is rooted in a lack of empathy. However, psychologist Paul Bloom argues that the real culprit is misused or misplaced empathy. He believes that empathy can motivate us to behave in ways that are unjust, irrational, violent, and cruel. Keep reading to understand Bloom’s argument that violence and cruelty don’t result from a lack of empathy.