Carrie Cabral, Author at Shortform Books

The Simulated Annealing Example of Stronger Systems

What is simulated annealing? Can a simulated annealing example help you understand how societies can be antifragile? Annealing is a process used to make metals stronger and improve impurities. Inspired by this process, mathematicians created a process called simulated annealing, which evaluates systems and finds ways to improve. Author Nassim Nicholas Taleb proposes that we can apply this process to politics as well. Keep reading for a simulated annealing example that can help explain antifragility.

Post Traumatic Stress Growth: When Stress Helps

What is post traumatic stress growth? Can you really grow from struggle and trauma? Post traumatic stress growth is something the doctors have observed for years. It occurs when someone is improved by the past events they’ve suffered, rather than being weighed down by them. Read more about post traumatic stress growth below.

Matthew McConaughey’s Journal Became Greenlights

Why did Matthew McConaughey keep a journal? How did that journal become his memoir, Greenlights? Matthew McConaughey kept a journal for 35 years as he rose to Hollywood stardom and rebranded himself later in his career. McConaughey’s journal helped him write his memoir about catching life’s greenlights, and what it all meant. Read more about Matthew McConaughey, his journal, and his life lessons.

How Democracies Die: Quotes to Make You Think

Are you looking look for quotes from How Democracies Die? What do these quotes mean and how can they encourage you to talk about democracy? How Democracies Die is about how authoritarians come to power, and how the U.S. can prevent having this fate. These five quotes can help explain why it’s so important to be pro-democracy and preserve democratic principles. Keep reading for five thought-provoking How Democracies Die quotes.

Antifragile: Book Overview, Key Concepts & More

What is the book Antifragile about? What is antifragility, and how does the Antifragile book explain this concept and teach us how to actually be antifragile? Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book Antifragile talks about a major misconception we have about how to be strong. Instead of focusing on resilience, we should build antifragility—a defense against things going wrong, and the ability to withstand it when they do. Read more about Antifragile, book concepts, and how to build antifragility below.

The McConaissance: Dallas Buyers Club and Beyond

What is the McConaissance? How did it change the course of Matthew McConaughey’s career? The McConaissance is a term that refers to Matthew McConaughey’s move from playing male leads in rom-coms to playing serious, more complex characters. Dallas Buyers Club was the movie that ushered in the McConaissance. Read more about the McConaissance and Dallas Buyers Club below.

The Turkey Problem: Explaining Vulnerability

What’s the turkey problem? How does this concept help explain antifragility? The turkey problem is fairly simple. If a turkey is fed by a butcher regularly, the turkey comes to predict and expect this system to continue. It is dependent. But one day, it all changes and the turkey learns how vulnerable he is. Read more about the turkey problem in Antifragile.

Celebrities in Politics: Trump and the Media Frenzy

Why are there celebrities in politics? How did this culture inspire someone like Trump to run for office? There are numerous instances of celebrities in politics in the U.S. Arguably the most successful campaign run by a celebrity was Donald Trump’s presidential election in 2016. Read more about celebrities in politics and how it lead to the the election of Donald Trump.

Education and the Economy: The Real Connection

What do education and the economy have to do with each other? Is it true that widespread formal education increases wealth and opportunity? In Antifragile, Taleb argues that our belief that education leads to economic prosperity is false. Instead, he says that wealthy countries invest in education, and we confused this for the cause of the economic wealth. Keep reading to find out why the relationship between education and the economy are not what you think.

Greenlights Book Club Questions on Life & More

Are you looking for Greenlights book club questions? What kinds of lessons are in the book, and how can they apply to your own life? These Greenlights book club questions cover some of the major lessons in the book that McConaughey discusses. From the psychological to the spiritual, these topics can help you see your own life and your greenlights clearly. Keep reading for 25+ thought-provoking Greenlights book club questions.