Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

Competitive Relationships: Why Do We Have Them?

Why do we enter competitive relationships? Or, why do some of our relationships become competitive? According to author Luke Burgis, most of our desires aren’t actually our own. In his book Wanting, he uses the theory of “mimetic desire” to explain how we mimic what others want or have, which can unknowingly lead us into competitive relationships. Read on to learn the psychological reasons why we enter competitive relationships, according to Burgis.

Fear Appeal in Advertising: Is It Effective?

What is fear appeal advertising? Is it an effective advertising technique? In Ca$hvertising, Drew Whitman offers insider tricks on how to craft the most compelling, money-generating ads for your business. He argues that most advertisers don’t recognize that their ads must address core human needs, including avoiding fear or threats, to gain the attention of consumers. Keep reading to learn why a fear appeal in advertising is effective, according to Whitman.

Causes of Chronic Dissatisfaction & Ways to Defeat It

What causes chronic dissatisfaction both personally and in society at large? What are some ways to overcome it? In Wanting, author Luke Burgis argues that most of our desires in society are inauthentic. According to the theory of “mimetic desire,” we’re hardwired to pursue false desires because we mimic what others in society want, leaving us chronically dissatisfied. Read on to learn more about the causes of chronic dissatisfaction and how to overcome it, according to Burgis.

How to Write Advertising Copy: The 4 Basics to Know First

Want to know how to write advertising copy? If you’re just starting out, what are the most important things to know? In his book Ca$hvertising, Drew Whitman presents a variety of his best techniques for creating money-making ads. According to him, there are four basic aspects to writing advertising copy that every writer should know how to do. Read on to learn how to write advertising copy, according to Whitman’s four basic techniques.

How to Figure Out What You Want in Life: Ask Yourself This

Want to know how to figure out what you want in life? What is the most important question to ask yourself? Luke Burgis wrote his book Wanting to teach readers his strategies for living a more meaningful life by taking control of what we want. To figure out what you want in life, Burgis suggests you learn how to distinguish meaningful desires from “mimetic desires.” Read on for Burgis’s advice on identifying your real desires and truly figuring out what you want in life.

Are Billionaires Ethical? Arguments For & Against the Ultra-Rich

Are billionaires ethical? Is it possible to be a billionaire without exploitation? How do people become so rich? According to a survey, most Americans see billionaires as neither good nor bad for the country. However, there’s a growing number of those who doubt that it’s possible to be an ethical billionaire, claiming the ultra-wealthy unfairly influence policy-making and don’t use their riches for the greater good. Read on to learn if billionaires are ethical, based on arguments for and against billionaires in the U.S.

Linchpin by Seth Godin: Book Overview

Want an overview of Linchpin by Seth Godin? What is the “linchpin mindset” and why should you practice it? In Linchpin, Seth Godin aims to inspire readers who have lost their motivation at work. Godin explains how adopting a linchpin mindset brings you more fulfillment in your career by empowering you to develop and use your unique skills at work. Keep reading for a brief overview of Linchpin by Seth Godin.

Cognitive Shortcuts in Advertising: Most Common Examples

How to Build a Latticework of Mental Models

What are cognitive shortcuts in advertising? How are they used to influence consumer decision-making? According to Drew Whitman, cognitive shortcuts are an effective marketing strategy for convincing consumers to buy products spontaneously. In his book Ca$hvertising, he offers examples of common advertising techniques that rely on cognitive shortcuts. Keep reading for some examples of cognitive shortcuts in advertising, according to Whitman.

What Makes a Good Role Model? Luke Burgis Explains

What makes a good role model? What should a role model be able to accomplish? What characteristics should they have? Author and educator Luke Burgis wrote his first book, Wanting, to explain why we imitate others and pursue false desires in society. In the book, he explains what makes a good role model, how to identify and choose role models in your life, and how to avoid bad role models. Read on to find out what makes a good role model, according to Burgis’s advice.

What Can You Do With ChatGPT? (+What Not to Do)

What can you do with ChatGPT? What are the best ways to use it? What are ChatGPT’s limitations? ChatGPT, a new language generation tool, was an instant hit upon its release in November last year. While the bot is uncannily good at holding conversations, producing written texts, and coding, it also generates many outputs that are biased or factually incorrect. Keep reading to find out what you can do with ChatGPT, plus its limitations.