Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

Gaming Motivation: Positive vs. Negative Motivations for Players

What is gaming motivation? How do video games positively and negatively motivate players? In Actionable Gamification, Yu-kai Chou explains that understanding positive and negative gaming motivations is essential if you want to keep players motivated and engaged. By blending both motivations, you can create a game that players will stay invested in for the long term. Read on to learn more about positive and negative gaming motivations, according to Chou.

Where Did Covid-19 Come From? Exploring the Theories

Where did Covid-19 come from? What are the two major theories about the origins of Covid-19? The U.S. Energy Department has concluded that the Covid-19 pandemic likely came from a lab leak, but other agencies support an animal origin hypothesis. The debate over Covid’s origins continues to puzzle scientists and the public alike since the virus first emerged. Read on to learn about the two leading theories for how Covid-19 began.

How to Be More Compassionate: 3 Strategies to Practice

Want to learn how to be more compassionate? What strategies should you practice? According to Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet, learning about the power of sadness is a great way to strengthen your sense of compassion. If you want to learn how to be more compassionate, she suggests practical strategies like cultivating humility or increasing self-compassion. Read on to learn how to be more compassionate, according to Cain’s three strategies.

What Does It Mean to Be Focused & What Causes Distractions?

What does it mean to be focused? How do experts define focus? Why do we get distracted? For some time now, psychologists, productivity experts, and tech industry gurus have sought to define the true meaning of focus and why we get distracted. In their efforts to discover how we can learn to stay on task, they’ve uncovered fascinating insights about what it means to be truly focused. Read on to learn how they define focus and why we lose our concentration.

Gamification Mechanics of Collectibles: Promote User Engagement

How can using collectibles enhance your gamification mechanics? What are the best strategies for integrating collectibles into games? According to gamification consultant Yu-kai Chou, gamification mechanics are the backbone of the player motivation system in games. One such mechanic is cultivating a sense of ownership through the use of collectibles, which encourages players to continue playing and investing in the game. Read on to learn about the gamification mechanics of collectibles, according to Chou.

How to Find Hope: Recalibrate Your Beliefs & Emotions

Does hope always seem beyond your reach? Is there something What strategies can help when you’re feeling hopeless? In his book Everything Is F*cked, Mark Manson explains what to do if you’re struggling to find hope and wondering how to cope with negative emotions and beliefs. He argues that feeling hopeless is a common human experience, but learning how to find hope is not impossible. Keep reading to learn Manson’s strategies for learning how to find hope.

The Tortured Artist: Does Sadness Give Us Creative Power?

What is the “tortured artist” stereotype? How are creativity and sadness related? Are naturally creative people more prone to sadness? The tortured artist stereotype has long been associated with creativity and sadness, and according to Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet, there may be a connection between the two. However, while sadness can trigger increased creativity, it’s not the only way to increase it. Learn how Cain explains sadness, creativity, and the tortured artist.

The 5 Steps to Making a Gamification System for Your Business

What is a gamification system? How does it promote motivation and engagement? How can you create one for your business? In Actionable Gamification, Yu-kai Chou explains how a gamification system uses techniques, like setting milestones for desired behaviors and achievements, to engage customers or improve employee productivity. However, Chou claims this system only works when implemented appropriately. Read on to learn Chou’s five steps for creating a gamification system for your business.

What Does Hopelessness Feel Like? Why Hope Is Elusive

What does hopelessness feel like? Why is it so hard to find hope sometimes? According to Mark Manson’s book Everything Is F*cked, hopelessness feels like a painful, meaningless existence, leading to a life filled with either constant pursuit of pleasure or apathy and depression. He further explores why it’s difficult to find hope, including how being alive can be traumatic. Read on to learn about what hopelessness feels like and why hope can be hard to find, according to Manson.

The Impermanence of Life: How It Helps Us Find More Meaning

How can we find peace with the impermanence of life? How does our impermanence give life more meaning? According to Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet, accepting the impermanence of life can actually enhance our joy and sense of connection. She argues that we should lean into the discomfort of impermanence because it will help us to live a more meaningful life. Read on to learn how to embrace the impermanence of life, according to Cain.