Shortform Books

The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan: Overview

What does Carl Sagan mean when he says that the world is “demon-haunted”? What does he recommend as a solution to this problem? Renowned astronomer and science popularizer Carl Sagan believes the world is in a precarious position. Science has taught us a great deal about the world and brought about many beneficial changes to humanity, yet we still cling to unscientific beliefs and ideas at an alarming level. Sagan argues that, as we advance into the 21st century and beyond, our collective ignorance of scientific methods, values, and thinking may be catastrophic to us and the world we live

The Difference Between Internal and External Motivation

What’s the primary source of your motivation? Is your reference point yourself or others? The book The Gap and The Gain lays out the difference between Gap- and Gain- thinking, which are two ways to measure your progress and success in life. One feature that distinguishes these two mindsets is the source of your motivation. Gap-thinking is associated with external motivation (relying on standards set by others), while Gain-thinking involves internal motivation (relying on standards set by you). Continue reading to understand the difference between internal and external motivation and what impact they each have on your happiness.

Stranded at Sea: The Endurance Crew’s Survival Story

How did the Endurance crew survive at sea? How did they get stranded at sea in the first place? Alfred Lansing’s book Endurance tells the story of how Ernest Shackleton kept his crew alive after their expedition to Antarctica went horribly wrong. When their ship sank and their camps became inhospitable, they rowed to land. Keep reading to learn how the Endurance crew survived at sea.

Why Changes in Relationships Are Completely Healthy

Have you hit a rough patch in your relationship? How can making changes mend your relationship? In Getting the Love You Want, Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt suggest that you and your partner need to make changes to fulfill your needs. These changes are important for personal growth. Here’s how to effectively make changes in relationships so you and your partner can be happier.

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Leadership: In Turbulent Times

What is Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Leadership: In Turbulent Times about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In Leadership: In Turbulent Times, Doris Kearns Goodwin describes the personal crises of four U.S. presidents—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), and Lyndon B. Johnson. Specifically, she discusses how these experiences affected their leadership through four different national crises: the Civil War, the coal strike of 1902, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement. Below is a brief overview of Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

In-Group Favoritism: We Look Out for Our Own Group

What is in-group favoritism? Is in-group favoritism necessarily a bad thing? In-group favoritism is a tendency to favor members of one’s in-group (e.g. in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, etc.) over members of out-groups. On the one hand, in-group favoritism is a good thing because it fosters bonding and cooperation. On the other hand, it causes unfair prejudice and irrational animosity towards members of out-groups. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of in-group favoritism, its biological underpinnings, and how to overcome it.

How to Change Your Core Beliefs: Marriage & Family

Can you change your core beliefs? What are the benefits of changing negative beliefs about marriage and family? As explained in Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed, she achieved freedom from her captivity by systematically deconstructing her beliefs and assumptions. By deconstructing prior beliefs, she can separate herself from social structures and institutions that do not reflect who she is and what she believes. Doyle built a new family, faith, and worldview based on consciousness rather than complacency. Read on for an overview of Doyle’s advice for embracing deconstruction and how to change your core beliefs about marriage and family.

How to Resist the Devil: The 6 Things You Must Do

Do you know how to escape the devil’s influence? What practical steps can you take each day to keep him from taking control of your life? In his 1937 bestseller Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill interviewed hundreds of American businessmen to gather their wisdom on how to achieve professional success. In his follow-up, Outwitting the Devil, Hill examines how failure and bad habits keep people from reaching their fullest potential, this time through a single interview—with the devil himself. Outwitting the Devil describes how you can escape the devil’s influence and avoid being turned toward inaction and evil by dedicating

Why Health and Disability Insurance Are Important

What would happen to your income if you got sick or disabled? Is your employer’s health and disability insurance policy adequate? If you’re sick or injured, you can’t work. You need a plan for such circumstances. Protecting yourself financially is a vital element of having a sound financial plan. In The Wealthy Barber, David Chilton discusses health and disability insurance in this context. Keep reading for more information on this kind of financial protection and why you need it.

How to Identify Bottlenecks: Where’s the Holdup?

What’s slowing down your business? How could your morning routine be more efficient? Every system has slow parts that drag the whole system down. Identifying bottlenecks is key to maximizing a system’s efficiency. In The Great Mental Models Volume 3, authors Rhiannon Beaubien and Rosie Leizrowice explain what bottlenecks are, how to identify them, and why bottleneck management is a necessary ongoing process in any system. Let’s look in detail at how to identify bottlenecks.