The World's Best Book Summaries
Should you bring your “whole self” to work? Why has this become a heated debate? Many workplaces are encouraging employees to bring their “whole (authentic) self” to work. However, not everyone can agree on what exactly this means or what the risks and benefits are to your career. Keep reading to learn more about bringing your whole self to work and why it’s debated.
Want to know how to overcome perfectionism at work? Which perfectionist habits are the most damaging in the workplace? In Linchpin, author Seth Godin teaches you how to overcome perfectionism at work by practicing a new, empowered way of thinking—the “linchpin” mindset. Godin’s aim is not to teach you a new way to act, but rather a new way to think about your work, leading to healthier, more successful habits. Read on to learn how to overcome perfectionism at work, according to Godin’s advice.
What are meaningless jobs? Why are they a little-known consequence of toxic American work culture and values? In his book Bullshit Jobs, David Graeber explores the phenomenon of meaningless jobs in industrialized Western societies. He claims that American work culture and values have allowed meaningless jobs to thrive, resulting in damaging psychological effects on workers and society at large. Read on to learn more about American work culture, values, and meaningless jobs, according to Graeber.
Why is it increasingly harder to find career security? Which jobs offer the most career security? In Linchpin, Seth Godin argues that becoming a “linchpin” employee—a person with uniquely indispensable skills in an organization—is necessary for career security in today’s tumultuous job market. He further claims that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to earn a living with a non-linchpin job. Read on to learn more about linchpin jobs and why they offer career security, according to Godin.
What is nuclear fusion and how does it produce energy? How close are we to fusion power? Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) recently achieved net positive energy from a fusion reaction. Scientists hope that fusion will be the foundation of cheap, clean, and sustainable energy for the future. Read on to find out how close we are to fusion power, according to NIF scientists.
Why are care workers paid so little? How do cultural values contribute to underpaying care workers? Author and anthropologist David Graeber wrote Bullshit Jobs in part to explain how society undervalues care work. According to him, because care work doesn’t produce goods, society views it as less important and justifies paying care workers so little. Read on to learn more about why care workers are paid so little, according to Graeber.
Can the government regulate cryptocurrency? What challenges do regulators face? The cryptocurrency industry has been marked by volatility, bankruptcies, and scandals, and after the recent implosion of crypto exchange FTX, many are calling for long-overdue regulation. However, regulators are struggling to write laws as no one can agree on the fundamentals of the industry. Keep reading to learn if the government can regulate cryptocurrency and why it’s a challenge.
How can creating new jobs cause problems in society? Why does job creation sometimes result in useless jobs? According to anthropology professor David Graeber, useless jobs have become widespread in most modern societies. He claims that creating new jobs, while beneficial when done responsibly, can also cause the proliferation of useless jobs for economic and political reasons. Keep reading to learn how creating new jobs can also produce meaningless jobs, according to Graeber.
What’s fueling the social divide in education in the U.S.? How does education inequality affect society? David Graeber’s book Bullshit Jobs describes how jobs that serve no purpose in society create deep social divides. According to him, pointless jobs foster resentment between college-educated “white-collar” workers and non-college-educated “blue-collar” workers. Read on to learn about the social divide in education and its connection to pointless jobs, according to Graeber.
Are you feeling unhappy at work? What are the warning signs of a toxic job? What’s a “bullshit” job? In Bullshit Jobs, author David Graeber found that many jobs in contemporary societies are, in fact, pointless. He claims that pointless jobs proliferate because Western cultures traditionally understand work as something that’s supposed to be unpleasant, if not downright miserable. If you’re feeling unhappy at work, read on to learn the four warning signs of working a bullshit job, according to Graeber.