Shortform Books

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Dark Matter & the Missing Mass Problem

What’s dark matter? Could it be undiscovered black holes or even planets? We can’t see wind, but we know it’s there because of its effects on things we can see. That’s how it is with dark matter. In 1937, astronomers observed galaxies moving around as a result of a huge mass they couldn’t see. This “missing mass” problem gave rise to the concept of dark matter. According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, dark matter is a mystery that raises fascinating questions. Continue reading to learn what dark matter is not and what it might be.

How to Stop Negative Self-Talk & Believe in Yourself

Is your mind overwhelmed by negativity? What can you do to combat the tendency to think in negative terms? The human brain is wired for negativity because it aids survival. However, you have the power to consciously override the negativity bias and train yourself to maintain a positive outlook. With this in mind, here’s how to stop negative self-talk or, at least, not take it seriously.

Unscripted: Book Overview (MJ DeMarco)

What is MJ DeMarco’s Unscripted about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book Unscripted, MJ DeMarco claims that most people can’t achieve financial success because they have unproductive beliefs about money that dissuade them from pursuing an entrepreneurial path. However, he argues that though these beliefs are pervasive, they’re surmountable. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from Unscripted: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship by MJ DeMarco.

The 22 Best Political Books of All Time

What are the best political books of all time? What can you learn from books about politics? Politics can be stressful and confusing. However, reading books about politics can help you understand them better. Whether you learn about racial inequality, government systems, or the political institutions of the past, it’s good to educate yourself about the ongoings of the world. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of the best books to read to understand more about politics.

How to Be Content With Life: 4 Tips From Steven Bartlett

Want to know how to be content with life? How can you achieve a consistent feeling of contentment? According to Steven Bartlett, many of us seek pleasure or happiness in life, but those feelings are short-lived. It’s important to learn how to be content with life to experience long-term satisfaction with what you already have, he says. Read on to learn Bartlett’s four tips for how to be content with life.

Ending Systemic Racism in the Deep South: Historic Challenges

What are the historic challenges to ending systemic racism in the U.S.? How did systemic racism operate in the Deep South? In his book Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin documented the racism Black Southerners experienced in the 1950s in the U.S. According to him, there were three primary challenges to ending systemic racism in the Deep South. Read on for an overview of the historic challenges to ending systemic racism in the U.S., according to Griffin.

Cherry-Picking Data in Healthcare: The Unethical Practice

What does cherry-picking data mean? Why do many companies in healthcare do this? There are some drug and healthcare companies that cherry-pick results, referencing the positive and ignoring the negative. In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre expresses how this is an unethical practice. Let’s look at why cherry-picking data isn’t advised.

The 2 Methods of Salt Harvesting Throughout History

What is salt harvesting? What are the different ways to harvest salt? At one point in time, salt was a valuable resource for people to harvest. According to Mark Kurlansky in his book Salt, this led to a couple of methods to harvest salt that were easier for workers. Let’s look at the two salt harvesting methods that have been used for thousands of years.

How to Fix Relationships With Parents Who Are Neglectful

Do you have a bad relationship with your parents? How do you fix relationships with parents? If you have an emotionally immature parent, it can be tough to get along. Luckily, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsey Gibson tells you how to fix relationships with parents who don’t have your best interest at heart. If you want a healthier relationship with your parents, keep reading.

How the CHIPS Act Can Save U.S. Chip Manufacturers

What is the CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science) Act? How will it help U.S. manufacturers? Chips are essential to all the tech we rely on every day, from our smartphones to our cars. Once upon a time, the U.S. produced those chips, but today they mostly come from Taiwan or China—however, the CHIPS Act may reverse that trend. Read on to learn more about the CHIPS Act and the state of the chip industry today.