Sharing what I have learned from what I have read: A blog by Joe Abittan
"We now know that the effects of priming can reach into every corner of our lives." Daniel Kahneman writes this in his book Thinking Fast and Slow while demonstrating the power of priming factors. An example he uses in the book to demonstrate the power of priming has to do with voting and school support. … Continue reading Autonomous Actors
"The only way on earth to influence other people," writes Dale Carnegie in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People, "is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it." Carnegie's book is one that I have heard recommended over and over by successful guests on the various … Continue reading How to Influence People
"People are willing to help, but the amount they're willing to help doesn't scale in proportion to how much impact their contributions will make." Author's Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson write this in their book The Elephant in the Brain when discussing our behaviors around donations and charity. "This effect," they continue, "known as scope … Continue reading How Helpful Are We?
"Much harm is done by a single case of indulgence or greed," Seneca wrote in a letter saved in the book Letters From a Stoic, "the familiar friend, if he be luxurious, weakens and softens us imperceptibly; the neighbor, if he be rich, rouses our covetousness; the companion, if he be slanderous, rubs off some … Continue reading You Are Not Just Yourself
In a later written to James Harmon for the book, Take My Advice, the late Murray Bookchin writes, “Our ideas must always be completed, fully thought out, and richly informed by a knowledge of the past. To separate oneself from the past, to maintain a sense of mere nowness, to deny what reason has to … Continue reading Awareness in Action