Depression. Boredom. Lying on the floor. A day in the life of Holden Caulfield isn’t exactly a thrill a minute — and that’s the point. The Catcher in the Rye is an iconic story of teenage rebellion. Time to revisit a stone-cold classic. Teenage Wasteland Remember being a teenager, when every person, place, and event seemed specially […]
Come on, get healthy
Here’s a theme you’ll see again and again in the coverage of the Paris Olympics: expectations matter. You can train at the most elite level, but when you get in your head, it becomes harder to perform. Our latest Instaread explores how our beliefs about health, fitness, and aging have concrete consequences in our lives. […]
A thrilling behind-the-scenes look at the US Civil War
Erik Larson has done it again. The Demon of Unrest focuses on the chaotic time between Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election and the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in 1861. Our latest Instaread looks at the rising conflict and the reactions of politicians, soldiers, and citizens as the country spiraled into a deadly war. The Road to Washington […]
Come on, get happy
To be happy, you need to invest in your long-term contentment instead of chasing material things. The pleasure that comes from money and property is often fleeting — and, by definition, expensive. Happiness derived from simple things can endure longer. Let’s take a closer look at this distinction. Instant Gratification Isn’t Happiness Your brain’s reward system […]
The next leap in human intelligence
The modern human brain emerged about 100,000 years ago. Some researchers think the next potential breakthrough could be artificial superintelligence, transforming intelligence from biological to digital. Understanding how our minds have evolved so far can help us decide which aspects of intelligence to keep, discard, or improve upon. A Long Evolution To come to grips […]
Those cookies are killing you 🍪
Dr. Robert Lustig takes aim at America’s broken health care system in our latest release, Metabolical. He hates how Big Food and Big Pharma put profits over people — and how the government lets them do it. How can we change our eating habits? Processed Food Is Poison The food industry hides the harmful effects of […]
A controversial doctor speaks out
COVID has entered the chat, making a dramatic reappearance in public discourse on Wednesday when President Biden announced he has been infected. (What a month in American politics!) Seems like a good time to take a closer look at Dr. Anthony Fauci’s memoir, which happens to be our latest Instaread. Fauci Takes a Bow Many […]
Make better small talk
Do you ever become anxious or stumble over your words when you’re talking off the cuff — say, at a job interview or when you meet a new person at a party? Most people do. The good news is that impromptu speaking is a skill that you can improve with a few simple hacks. Let […]
A comedian’s take on the US culture wars
Between the recent attempt on Donald Trump’s life and widespread calls for President Biden to resign from the campaign, it’s an especially tumultuous election season in the United States. (And there’s less than four more months to go!) Step back from the madness and take some time to laugh with our latest release, from Bill […]
The world is on fire 🔥
Here’s a not-so-fun fact to keep in mind as another heat wave hits large swaths of the United States: Almost half of California’s 20 largest wildfires have occurred in the last four years. These fires are becoming more frequent and more deadly, occurring year-round instead of being limited to a season. The Problem Is Spreading […]
