Publisher: Pocket Classic
Wilkie Collins's classic thriller took the world by storm on its first appearance in 1859, with everything from dances to perfumes to dresses named in honor of the "woman in white." The novel's continuing fascination stems in part from a distinctive blend of melodrama, comedy, and realism; and in part from the power of its story.
Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that emerge from the brain's reliance on mental shortcuts, known as heuristics. These shortcuts evolved as survival mechanisms, enabling humans to process information quickly and make rapid decisions in complex environments. While they often lead to effective solutions, they can also result in flawed judgments and irrational behaviors. The roots of cognitive biases lie in evolutionary psychology. Early humans faced threats that demanded swift reactions rather than precise analysis. For example, assuming rustling leaves meant a predator ensured survival, even if it was a false alarm. These heuristics prioritized speed over accuracy, a trade-off that remains hardwired in the human brain. Although modern challenges are less about survival, the same mental processes continue to influence decisions in ways that can lead to errors. Heuristics function by simplifying complex information, but they often sacrifice accuracy. A common example is the availability heuristic, where people judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily they can recall similar instances. This explains why individuals overestimate rare but memorable events, like plane crashes, while underestimating more probable risks, such as car accidents. Similarly, anchoring bias causes people to rely heavily on the first piece of information they encounter, which can skew judgments even when that information is irrelevant.Show book
Writing a novel will change your life. It might not be in the way that you expect, but when you hold your book in your hand and say, “I made this,” something will shift. The process of getting to that point will light a spark in your creative soul and help you discover unexpected aspects of yourself. It will be one of the things you are most proud of in your life. I’m Joanna (J.F.) Penn, award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 18 novels and novellas with nearly a million books sold in over one hundred countries. This book will help you write your first novel, or improve your creative process so you can write more books and reach more readers. It covers mindset, ideas and research, plotting/outlining and discovery writing, aspects of craft from character to setting to voice and much more, how to write a first draft, and work through an editing process to a finished book. If you want to (finally) write your novel, then buy How to Write a Novel today.Show book
Ready to learn more Chinese, one story at a time? Learn Chinese Idioms with Stories (Volume 3) brings you 10 vivid idioms, each explained with simple language, memorable stories, and easy-to-understand insights. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, you’ll enjoy these timeless stories — and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese thinking. Inside, you’ll find: - Engaging short stories for each idiom - Clear, beginner-friendly explanations - Cultural wisdom and life lessons - Simple memory tips to help you remember - A few example sentences — perfect for learners ready to go further Whether you’re learning Chinese or simply curious about Chinese culture, this audiobook helps you: ✔ Understand how Chinese people think ✔ Learn real expressions in a natural way ✔ Enjoy meaningful stories, anytime No textbook needed. Just press play. More stories. More wisdom. More Chinese you’ll never forget.Show book
Crafting Consistency is essential for both new and seasoned writers seeking to establish and maintain a productive writing routine. Enhance your writing journey by overcoming barriers, managing time efficiently, and building a creative environment.Key Course Highlights:- Set clear writing objectives to guide your process.- Identify and tackle personal challenges.- Grasp the significance of consistency in writing.- Master time management tailored for writers.- Design an inspiring and creative writing space.- Devise a personalized writing schedule.- Break down large projects with achievable goals.- Combat procrastination using effective techniques.- Cultivate a daily writing habit for long-term success.- Sustain motivation and nurture your writing passion.- Utilize tools to track progress and measure success.- Overcome writer's block with inventive solutions.- Seamlessly balance writing with other life commitments.- Adapt your routine as life circumstances change.Unlock the potential of consistent writing by setting precise goals for clear direction. The course helps you recognize personal productivity hurdles and provides strategies to overcome them. Prioritize writing sessions by crafting an inspiring and focused environment.Align your schedule with your lifestyle, identifying peak writing times for optimum productivity. Feel accomplished by setting and achieving manageable goals, and reduce procrastination with tested focus techniques. Foster a daily writing habit and keep your motivation alive to drive progress and improvement.Conquer writer’s block and harmonize writing with daily life seamlessly. Adapt writing approaches to evolving circumstances. Completing Crafting Consistency equips you with the skills to integrate writing seamlessly into your life, transforming your journey with the power of consistency. Embrace this transformation today.Show book
Unlock Italian fluency with 1000 Common Phrases: Learn Italian Through Simple Sentences. This guide is perfect for beginners and intermediate learners, introducing 1000 essential Italian phrases through clear, easy-to-understand sentences. Each sentence is accompanied by an English translation, making it ideal for self-study or classroom use. Whether you're preparing for travel, advancing your career, or pursuing a passion for language learning, this book offers a strong foundation to enhance your Italian skills. You'll not only expand your vocabulary but also learn to use phrases naturally in conversation, boosting your confidence and comprehension when interacting with native speakers. Features: - 1000 common Italian phrases in practical sentences - Clear English translations - Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners - Enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and conversational skills - Ideal for self-study, travel, or classroom use Begin your Italian learning journey today and see how mastering 1000 phrases can transform your communication skills. 1000 Common Phrases: Learn Italian Through Simple Sentences is your essential guide to gaining proficiency in one of the world's most spoken languages.Show book
The False Consensus Effect refers to the cognitive bias where individuals overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs, values, and opinions. This phenomenon can be seen across a wide range of social, political, and personal contexts, often shaping our perception of how common or widespread our views are. Essentially, people tend to assume that their experiences and perspectives are more universally shared than they truly are. This can lead to significant misunderstandings, skewed decision-making, and a distorted view of the world. The roots of the False Consensus Effect trace back to psychological and social mechanisms. From a psychological standpoint, it arises from our natural tendency to see ourselves as typical and representative of a larger group. We are more likely to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, reinforcing our views and making them appear more widely held. This is further exacerbated by our desire for validation and the comfort that comes from seeing our beliefs reflected in others. As a result, we are inclined to believe that our preferences or values are the norm, even when they may be quite particular to our own experiences. Historically, social psychologists have studied the False Consensus Effect to understand the role of social influence in shaping human behavior. Researchers such as Lee Ross, who first identified the phenomenon in the 1970s, found that people would often overestimate the extent to which others agreed with their positions, even in matters where little or no evidence supported such a claim. This effect is not limited to extreme or controversial opinions but is also observable in everyday decisions and preferences, such as tastes in food, entertainment, or lifestyle choices.Show book
