Browsing: The Animal Kingdom
“Shyness — An Evolutionary Tactic?” Read the New York Times Article, and Join the Conversation Here!
Today, the New York Times debuts the inaugural issue of a new section called The Sunday Review — including a piece I wrote on the importance of shyness and introversion. It’s available here. I’m optimistic that the Times‘ interest in this subject signals a turning point in our culture — that people are ready to […]

How to Succeed (courtesy of David Brooks)
I’m halfway through David Brooks’ new book, “The Social Animal,” and want to pass on a few choice bits (more or less verbatim): 1. You can only discover your vocation by doing it, and seeing it if it feels right. There’s no substitute for the process of trying on different lives, and waiting to find […]

The Moral Lives of Animals, and What It Means For Us
Here’s a provocative theory that I hope turns out to be true: “In the summer of 2000 scientists saw a young elephant collapse and die on a trail in the African forest. In the following hours, elephants passing by attempted to help and revive her by lifting her dead body off the ground. In [a […]

What to Read This Weekend: Why Nice Baboons Finish First, Leadership Requires Solitude, and Humans are Naturally Empathic
Hi everyone, Here are this weekend’s reading suggestions: 1. “Solitude and Leadership”: This brilliant essay by William Deresiewicz was just nominated for a National Magazine Award. It was adapted from a speech the author gave to the plebe class at West Point, and argues that leadership and moral courage require quiet contemplation. It also says […]
