Consider the following: time passes faster in the mountains than it does at sea level. If this sentence confounds you but piques your interest, then I can already tell you that you want to read The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli, which answers questions such as what is time? Is there a universal time? What does it mean to live in the present? Does the present exist? Turns … [Read more...]
In the Quest for Happiness, Do We Forgo the Power of Meaning?
We live in a culture that is obsessed with happiness. I'm guilty of it, as I am sure you are. But what if happiness isn't what we think it is? What if happiness hides itself in heartache? What if happiness isn't enough? This last statement used to be a controversial, but in the recent past there has been a shift in the conversation from living a happy life to living a … [Read more...]
Alter Recommends We Step Away from the Screen in ‘Irresistible’
Like most people I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love waking up in the mornings and checking my Twitter feed and the news but I hate how the distraction can make me run late. I love the satisfaction of hitting my step goals but I hate that I feel compelled to log what I eat. I love being connected to other people but I hate the guilt that comes with not … [Read more...]
Invisible Influence, or How Society Tells You What to Do, by Jonah Berger
What if, in striving for individuality, we emulated those around us? What if our decisions aren't actually ours? What if science backed this up? It turns out, science does back this up and we may not be as unique as we think, which is what Jonah Berger argues in Invisible Influence. Using science, studies, surveys, and anecdotes, Berger shows us how our neighbors, … [Read more...]
Public Shamings and the Loss of Identity
What do the stocks, public whippings, and the gossip's bridle have in common? They were all instruments used to punish wrongdoers. The alleged crimes were varied, from violent crimes to gossiping too much, but the goal of the punishment was the same: to punish citizens and turn them into social pariahs via public shamings. This sentiment is still alive and … [Read more...]