Shortform Books

Richard Feynman at Caltech & the Path to His Academic Home

What did Richard Feynman do before he taught at Caltech? Why was Caltech such a good fit for him? For Richard Feynman, Caltech was home—academically speaking. His career took a few turns before he settled in at Caltech. And, he grew in his understanding of what it meant—for him—to be a teacher. He tells the story in his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Continue reading to learn a bit about Feynman’s time at Caltech and the path he took to get there.

Vital Affirmations for Achieving Goals & Staying Productive

What are some positive affirmations for achieving goals? How can you use these affirmations in your daily life to achieve the best results? The self-help book Unfu*k Yourself introduces positive affirmations that address the challenges you’ll encounter as you take steps toward self-improvement in life. Specifically, author Gary John Bishop provides affirmations for achieving goals when you encounter setbacks or low motivation. Read on to discover Bishop’s two affirmations for achieving goals and how to apply them in your life.

How to Confront Someone: 3 Ways to Handle Tough Situations

Want to know how to confront someone when you’re not used to confrontation? How can you get better at handling challenging situations? According to The 50th Law, sometimes it’s necessary to use confrontation, otherwise, people could underestimate or take advantage of you. In the book, the authors explain how to confront someone by describing three uncomfortable situations and how they suggest you react. Read on to learn how to confront someone, according to the techniques in The 50th Law.

How to Have Positive Thoughts: Focus on These 3 Things

Are you surrounded by negativity? How can you have positive thoughts? Overthinking is usually caused by negative reactions to a tense situation. But Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton says that you can replace these negative thoughts by exhibiting a positive mindset. Learn how to have positive thoughts by focusing on the three things detailed below.

The Top 3 Ways to Practice Mindfulness & Embrace Peace

What are some ways to practice mindfulness? Can anyone practice mindfulness? According to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Wherever You Go, There You Are, mindfulness is something anyone can do at any time. To make it easier for you, he highlights a few strategies that he believes will help you stay in the present every day. Let’s look at the few ways Kabat-Zinn suggests practicing mindfulness in your everyday life.

Understanding the Psychology of Scarcity

How does being in a state of scarcity change your behavior and decision-making? What are the long-term effects of living in scarcity? In their book Scarcity, Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir explain how being in a state of scarcity temporarily changes the brain’s functioning and decision-making. Specifically, they highlight two areas where our decisions are most impacted by scarcity: time and money. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of scarcity, according to Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir.

How Liberal Intellectuals Conspire With the Power Elite

How did the role of American intellectuals change after World War II? What impact has this had on political power? In The Power Elite, American sociologist C. Wright Mills argues that, traditionally, intellectuals in America helped Americans understand what was going on in their society, how it affected their lives, and what they could do about it. However, he claims that this changed after World War II. Keep reading to learn how liberal intellectuals contribute to the influence of the power elite in America.

Product Comparison Table: How to Make and Use One

Why should you use a product comparison table to beat out the competition? How do you create this table? Product comparison tables are helpful for any business owner who wants to be the best in their market. 101 Design Methods by Vijay Kumar explains how you can use this type of table to discover trends, brainstorm solutions, and identify patterns that will make your product better. Check out how to create a product comparison table with Kumar’s seven tasks of innovation.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Study Guide

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you want to change the world? To do anything meaningful, you’re going to have to work with people. And, if you’re working with people, you need to know how to lead them. Leadership guru John C. Maxwell shares 21 laws that you should follow if you want to be a leader of true influence and impact. Continue reading for The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership study guide we’ve put together to help you apply the laws to your leadership.

How Bad Is the East Palestine Water & Air Contamination?

How worried should we be about East Palestine water contamination? Could the air quality also be affected by the Ohio train derailment? Following the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment on February 3, a controlled burn released many of these chemicals into the environment in East Palestine, Ohio. Upon taking daily samples of the water and air, the EPA insists that neither poses any danger to local residents, but not everyone is convinced. Keep reading to learn about the conflicting claims over air and water contamination in East Palestine.