Episodes

Since the twentieth century, from the advent of computers to the Internet and finally to artificial intelligence, technology has been developing at a tremendous speed. It brings dramatic changes to human life, and even influences our own memory, attention, and perception. Before the invention of printing technology in China, people had to memorize a sea of ancient records to be able to discuss national issues. In contrast, in our world today, we may not even remember our mother’s cellphone numbe...

From New York to Chicago to Los Angeles, these big American cities have experienced a century of significant changes, recovering from the Great Depression and other economic crises time and time again. Many people thus believe that big cities will spontaneously flourish for eternity. However, it is important not to forget what happened to Detroit. Detroit once was the fourth largest city in America. In 2013, the city became the biggest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy protection. So, what are th...

Scientists estimate that the earliest hominins arose around 6 million years ago, and it took that much of a time for human evolution to achieve the stage of modern humans. During most of this span of time, humans walked barefoot, so our foot structure and walking style have adjusted for walking in such way. Specifically, our soles have developed a rich and extensive neural network that can detect discomfort in our feet when walking. As a result, we naturally and continuously adjust our posture w...

What comes to your mind at the mention of seeds? Maybe some listeners will think of grains and bread; some will think of nuts and vegetables, or perhaps nothing will come to their mind. People in modern society rarely care about or observe the seemingly irrelevant world of plant seeds. However, did you know that seeds are closely linked with the future destiny of humankind, and seeds have long ago risen to a national strategic level? On the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, there is a large buildi...

As a practical work on interpersonal relations, this book takes an in-depth look at human nature and taps into the hidden weakness of humanity, Through reading this book, one can get to know more about themselves and make further self-improvements. Many of us are familiar with or have even read this book. It has continued to gain popularity and receive acclaim from readers around the world. It has also been published in many editions. Data shows that this book has sold tens of millions of copie...

In 1994 in Rwanda, nearly one million Tutsi people were killed in just three months. It was not hostile external forces that committed the crime, but rather their former neighbors and friends, the Hutus. With these circumstances, we can’t help but ask, what is it that planted the “evil” seeds in the hearts of the Hutus, and what was it that was able to make these otherwise simple civilians mercilessly butcher’s their compatriots? Such is the central question which Zimbardo tried to answer in “Th...

Today’s book Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future is the world’s first authorized biography of Elon Musk. For the first time, it reveals the details of how Musk built and operates PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity. With the many ups and downs ubiquitous of the business world, few CEOs have been able to be as glamorous and conspicuous as Musk. Elon Musk is an obsessive, perfectionist dreamer. He is also an entrepreneur full of unique ideas and burning passion who kee...

Curiosity is a beautiful but torturous thing. Some people believe that curiosity is our ultimate weapon to break through our destiny, and the driving force behind all human behavior. If we are compared to a machine, to arouse our curiosity is to power us on. The power enables us to operate and to realize our potential, and find meanings in life. On the other hand, we must also be aware that restraining curiosity is a homework we have to do throughout our lives. Have you realized that, since the...

Speaking of art, some may find it too highbrow and mysterious for ordinary people to appreciate, so they refrain from proactively enjoying it or learning about it. When was the last time you went to an art exhibition or a concert? And when was the last time you read an art book? Many people refrain from taking part in art activities. After all, in this fast-paced society, people prefer to use their time for things that they deem “useful.” However, the majority of people misunderstand the true m...

In the East, shadows connote a ‘weak light’. They can be generated either when light is insufficient, or when something is blocking the light. For example, shadows are cast during the time when the sun sets or the twilight fades. Shadows also emerge from the overhang of a roof baking in the sun. That’s how shadows are perceived in Japanese aesthetics, as obscure and perceptual. It’s like looking through a semi-transparent veil, we can’t see clearly, but the vagueness is what makes it enchanting....

At the first sight of the word “mindfulness” in the book title, some of you might feel some apprehension. You might be thinking: “I’m not a spiritual person who needs to be seated through a meditation exercise or practice mindfulness.” Or, “I’m an atheist who believes in science. Why would I need to do such things?” In fact, Mindfulness: An Eight-week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World, is not written for spiritual persons only, but for each and every of us. Living within modern society, ...

In 2018,a young entrepreneur named Michael Hood asked Buffett what skills young people should focus on. Buffett answered, “Invest in yourself. The one easy way to become worth 50% more than you are now — at least — is to hone your communication skills — both written and verbal. If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark — nothing happens. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it.” Many people may think that some are born with th...

Many people have read book series published by Harvard Business School. They read such books because of the prestige they associate with the name ‘Harvard’ and feel as if they can gain much knowledge by reading them. The current book "Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd," as always, maintains the writing style used in Harvard academic research, while also using concise and clear language to uncover the secrets behind marketing competition. This is just like when you go to the supermarket t...

Financial freedom has long been the ultimate dream of many. After achieving financial freedom, you can quit a job you don’t like, choose a career you love, and even travel around the world without working. For most people, the biggest obstacle to living the life of their dreams is the lack of money. Moreover, once you experience a financial crisis, you realize just how important money is. So, how can we overcome our financial difficulties and not let money control our lives, but instead, make it...

“London was the sun in the financial solar system. Bankers of the City, London’s financial district, were self-styled potentates. Firms such as Barings and Rothschilds maintained an imperial reserve; to be asked for lunch was like being received in audience by a king.” This is how the author describes the financial circle of London in the 30s and 40s. One day in 1835, an American named George Peabody set foot in London. Peabody was born into a poor family in Massachusetts. His father died when ...

Everyone has a desire for happiness and hopes to lead a more meaningful and happier life. But what on earth is “happiness?” The straight A student, the flawless fashion model on the cover of a magazine, the touching “happily ever after” ending of a romantic comedy; these examples of “perfection” are commonly seen in everyday life. They are so convincing that it makes us believe that this is true “happiness.” We try our best to do everything perfectly and earn our ticket to enter the so called ...

Before we proceed, first think of the following two questions. Question one: Imagine you’ve been given $1,000, and you need to choose from two options. Option A is a 50% chance to win $1,000. Option B is a 100% chance to win $500. Which one would you pick? Question two: You've been given $2,000, and you need to choose from another two options. Option A is a 50% chance to lose $1,000. Option B is a 100% chance to lose $500. Which one would you pick this time? These were the two questions that ...

Once you hear the title, Why We Buy, you may immediately think to yourself and ask, “well, why indeed do I buy things? Of course, it's just because I want to buy something.” In fact, there is much to learn about shopping. Researchers have studied the shopping habits and psychology of consumers for sometime, and have developed a science that analyses shopping. First, let us tell you something interesting. At America's retailer Wal-Mart, diapers and beer are sold together. Some of you might be wo...

You may have seen a video like this online: people who was born colorblind received a surprise gift -- a pair of glasses that correct colorblindness. The moment they put on the glasses, they immediately burst into tears. They never imagined that the world, which had always seemed monotone, was actually colorful. This reaction reflects the most primitive human emotion. Human's administration for colors can be traced back to the mysterious cave paintings done by our ancestors who lived in ancient...

When choosing a career, many people will face the choice of going into a big company or a small company. Some choose big companies for stability. However, once entering a big company, they complain that all workers seem to be a small fish in a big pond. Within these corporate environments, few people in their lifetime can fight their way through and achieve a breakthrough. Furthermore, employees of big companies also face a complex management environment. Overstaffed organizations, multiple lead...

In the novel The Red and the Black, the author Stendhal tells the story of Julien, a carpenter’s son who leads a miserable life due to his humble background. Julien is a fervent admirer of Napoleon because Napoleon abolished the long-standing feudal system and aristocracy, and advocated meritocracy. Many senior officials in Napoleon’s government came from the underclass. Julien dreams of following in the footsteps of his hero with his intelligence and abilities. However, Julien lives in the time...

You’ve probably experienced flight delays. If you paid attention to the passengers around you, you would see that they’d react differently to flight delays. Some would be listening to music with headphones on, completely ignoring the situation around them. Some would be grumbling, walking into the departure lounge in a huff after hearing the news of delay. Some would calmly but firmly demand to be rerouted immediately. And some would angrily and loudly question the staff. The differences in how...

Most people regard “science” as being objective and trustworthy, and perhaps a little mysterious. Some people even like to back their own work or products with science, as this makes them appear more authoritative. For instance, advertisers like to brag about their products in a scientific tone, and some churches even claim that science has proven that the Bible is true. It’s not hard to see that science is highly esteemed and has become synonymous with professionalism and authority. So what is...

Since the beginning of his career, social psychologist Roy Baumeister has conducted many experimental observations. He found that many couples eventually break up because they continually fought over trivial issues. Many husbands and wives have also experienced this problem. It seemed that merely being together would cause them to fight. Some people even reported trying to find a place to have a drink after work or socialize with friends, in order to arrive home late and avoid any further confli...