Shortform Books

The Prince: Niccolò Machiavelli’s Instruction Manual

What does The Prince instruct national leaders to do? Is it an accurate depiction of Renaissance political life? In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli instructs the reader on how princes may seize, maintain, and defend their power, encouraging them to embrace cruelty and deception as necessary tools in their arsenal. He does this through simple maxims and historical examples. Here’s our overview of the lessons that Machiavelli teaches in The Prince.

Social Signaling Through Spending: Why We Buy Stuff

Why would someone buy a Tesla? Why do some people post photos of their glitzy hotel rooms on Instagram? Just as body language allows us to communicate about things we’d never put into words, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that many of our actions double as social signals or conspicuous fitness displays. This is especially noticeable when it comes to how we spend our money and other resources. Read more to understand the concept of social signaling through spending.

Types of Startups: Which Is Right for You?

What’s the difference between lifestyle and hyper-growth startups? How do you know which type of startup business is right for you? Entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba, in their book The Unfair Advantage, describe two types of startups: lifestyle and hyper-growth. They offer recommendations for how to determine which type of startup you should pursue. The factors to consider, they say, are your purpose, your desired lifestyle, and your unfair advantages. Read more for Ali and Kubba’s insight into different types of startups.

The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (Book Overview)

What’s “the good life”? How is moral virtue achieved? What’s the greatest virtue of all? These are some of the questions that ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle discusses in the Nicomachean Ethics book. He argues that the best and happiest life consists of the rational pursuit of virtue. He explains the different kinds of virtues, how to become virtuous, and the greatest virtue of all: wisdom. Keep reading to learn more about this classic work.

Why Is It So Hard to Focus? 7 Factors Explained

Why is it so hard to focus? What external factors are making it hard to concentrate? In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari cites seven reasons why it’s so hard to focus. These factors are outside of your control and contribute to the attention crisis we’re living in. Discover the seven factors below to see if any of them are affecting you.

How to Overcome Obesity: The 2 Solutions

How can we overcome obesity? What are some simple changes you can make to prevent packing on excess weight? According to Canadian nephrologist Jason Fung, beating obesity means changing what you eat as well as when you eat. In practice, this means eating a diet composed of whole foods and practicing fasting. Whole foods help you feel full and don’t spike your insulin, while regular fasting lowers your insulin long enough to reverse insulin resistance. Here’s how to overcome obesity, according to Jason Fung.

2 Common Roadblocks to Getting Over Anxiety

How hard is it to get over anxiety? What will get in your way if you seek treatment? Even if you fully buy into the goal of eliminating your anxiety, you might run into additional roadblocks. Dr. Judson Brewer’s book Unwinding Anxiety says that the two main roadblocks are overthinking and beating yourself up. Keep reading to learn why getting over anxiety isn’t as easy as many people think.

Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron: Overview

A person looking out the window and pondering over System 1 thinking

What is Julia Cameron’s Seeking Wisdom about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Seeking Wisdom, Julia Cameron explains that spirituality is the key to creativity. Throughout the book, Cameron walks you through each step of your spiritual journey, using anecdotes from her own life and interviews with those close to her to illustrate her recommendations. Read below for a brief overview of Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron.

Racism in Rape Laws in America: An Echo of Slavery

What is the connection between racism and sexual violence? How does racism manifest in American rape laws? The American legal system continues to perpetuate racism in various forms. For example, rape laws in America still echo the racist attitudes of the earlier period by giving black offenders harsher punishments. Here’s a look at the racism hidden in rape laws.

The Correlation Coefficient: Statistics 101

What is the correlation coefficient in statistics? What can the correlation coefficient tell us about the relationship between two variables? What is the danger in mistaking correlation for causation? A figure called the correlation coefficient quantifies the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. A common mistake in statistics is equating correlation with causation. It can be tempting to extrapolate beyond a correlation coefficient, but that will lead to causal conclusions that correlation can’t support. In this article, we’ll break down the concept of statistical correlation and explain why correlation does not equal causation.