The Power Of Human How Our Shared Humanity Can Help Us Create A Better World

An urgent yet hopeful analysis of the surge in dehumanization, and how we can reverse it. The unprecedented access to other humans that technology provides has ironically freed us from engaging with them. Thanks to social media, we can know a campaigning politician’s platform; an avid traveler’s restaurant recommendations; and the daily emotional fluctuations of our friends without ever even picking up the phone. According to social psychologist Adam Waytz, our increasingly human-free lives come with a serious cost that we’ve already begun to pay: the loss of our humanity. Humans have superpowers. More than any other psychological stimulus, our presence can make experiences feel significant, inspire moral behavior, and encourage action. Recent studies suggest that we even have power over mortality—the survival rate of individuals with stronger social relationships has been found to be twice as high as those with weak relationships. The Power of Human shows us how to rehumanize and harness these unique abilities to improve our lives, beginning with our jobs. The remedy for the dehumanized worker is twofold. Employers, Waytz argues, must instill humanity into work by capitalizing on distinctly human skills, especially sociability and variability. Meanwhile, workers need to put to rest the idea that you are what you do and instead detach their personal identities from their occupations. Waytz offers a similarly science-based method to counter the rising threat that technology poses to our humanity, outlining how we can design human-machine partnerships that optimize the strengths of both parties. Finally, he reveals how, by humanizing intimacy and conflict in unexpected ways, we can strengthen relationships with both our friends and enemies. Essential reading for individuals and institutions alike, The Power of Human explains how we can solve one of our time’s biggest problems by better utilizing the influence we have on one another.

As humans, we embrace our individuality, yet we chase the comfort and sense of purpose that comes from being part of a group. Especially timely given our polarized world, Chasing We-ness examines how social media, AI, new leadership styles, and other modern developments affect our state of we-ness. It illuminates how our contemporary identities find expression in both progressive and conservative social movements that foster a sense of we-ness. Embracing the reality that "we’re all in this together," the book interrogates our efforts to achieve a state of we-ness that rejects hate, social injustice, and autocratic agendas in the twenty-first century. This book explores why, how, and with what effect we build we-ness into our lives in both healthy and destructive ways. William Marsiglio draws on his expertise as a leading sociologist to explore the motivational forces that inspire a sense of group belonging in intimate groups, civic organizations, thought communities, sports and leisure activities, and work. Promoting initiatives that cultivate mindfulness, empathy, altruism, and leadership, Chasing We-ness proposes essential life skills to empower us, reduce social divisions, strengthen the social fabric, and uplift our spirits as global citizens.

A practical, deeply reported survival guide for the age of AI, written by the New York Times tech columnist who has introduced millions to the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence—now featuring a new afterword. “Artificial intelligence can be terrifying, but Kevin Roose provides a clear, compelling strategy for surviving the next wave of technology with our jobs—and souls—intact.”—Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit It’s time to get real about AI. After decades of hype and sci-fi fantasies, AI—artificial intelligence—is leaping out of research labs and into the center of our lives. Millions of people now use tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E 2 to write essays, create art and finish coding projects. AI programs are already beating humans in fields like law, medicine and entertainment, and they’re getting better every day. But AI doesn’t just threaten our jobs. It shapes our entire human experience, steering our behavior and influencing our choices about which TV shows to watch, which clothes to buy, and which politicians to vote for. And while many experts argue about whether a robot apocalypse is near, one critical question has gone unanswered: In a world where AI is ascendant, how can humans survive and thrive? In Futureproof: 9 Rules for Surviving in the Age of AI, New York Times technology columnist Kevin Roose shares the secrets of people and organizations that have successfully navigated waves of technological change, and explains what skills are necessary to stay ahead of the curve today, with lessons like • Be surprising, social, and scarce • Resist machine drift • Leave handprints • Demote your devices • Treat AI like a chimp army Roose rejects the conventional wisdom that in order to compete with AI, we have to become more like robots ourselves—hyper-efficient, data-driven workhorses. Instead, he says, we should focus on being more human, and doing the kinds of creative, inspiring, and meaningful things even the most advanced algorithms can’t do.

In a world increasingly run by algorithms and artificial intelligence, Hatim Rahman traces how organizations are using algorithms to control workers in an “invisible cage.” Inside the Invisible Cage uses unique longitudinal data to investigate how digital labor platforms use algorithms to dictate the actions of high-skilled workers by determining accepted behaviors, work opportunities, and even success. As Hatim Rahman explains, employers can use algorithms to shift rules and guidelines without notice, explanation, or recourse for workers. The invisible cage signals a profound shift in the way markets and organizations categorize and ultimately control people. Unlike previous forms of labor control, the invisible cage is ubiquitous, yet it is also opaque and shifting, which makes breaking free from it difficult for workers. This book traces how the invisible cage was developed over time and the implications it has for the spread of new technology, such as generative artificial intelligence. Inside the Invisible Cage also provides organizations, workers, and policymakers with insights on how to ensure the future of work has truly equitable, mutually beneficial outcomes.

People are naturally worried about transitions at any stage of their lives, and retirement transitioning presents unique challenges because you realize that your life clock is ticking faster with each passing year. Beyond financial concerns, your true wealth is determined by how you spend your time and how you care for your health. Retirement represents a rich psychological growth time, and successful aging is characterized by cultivating a growth mindset alongside a healthy dose of grit, or passion plus persistence. This book shares insights from a survey of 125 participants, all of whom are 55 or older, on retirement beliefs and time management. The author encourages retirees to embrace the concept of rewiring their brains in a psychological reboot applying to both work and non-work scenarios. Each chapter presents rewiring exercises that prepare space for new possibilities to germinate immediately, and "possibility time" exercises that foster digging deeper into legacy roots for shaping days where you can flourish. Seasoned citizen years have the possibility of becoming your greatest life plots when you rewire your personality and ability skillset.

Working in complex systems brings fresh challenges to leaders, managers, consultants, and those involved in their education. This book (the third in a series of three) introduces a set of practices that will help you develop confidence and strength in working in new ways across boundaries. We know intuitively that when we move outside our organizational boundaries, we need new ways of practicing that will respond to the needs of others and shape the emerging future. Each chapter focuses on a specific practice and explains what it looks like, why it is relevant, and how to integrate it into your work. Questions for reflection and suggested activities offer ideas for immediate action. The format invites the reader to pick a chapter or two when it feels like a good time to engage with professional development. The material is also suitable for discussion with colleagues as part of team development. The practical, applied nature of this book means that it can be used in many different ways to spark ideas and stimulate new ways of working as individuals and collectively. Leaders in complex systems will grow in confidence and expand their practice repertoire as they engage with the material in this volume.

This book, "Understanding Humans as Nature’s Masterpiece," explores the many aspects of human nature that make us truly remarkable. From our complex cognitive abilities to our emotional depth and capacity for empathy, this book delves into the many facets of what it means to be human. In the following pages, you will discover the incredible history of our species. You will explore the biological and psychological foundations of human behavior, including our unique capacity for language, self-awareness, and moral reasoning. You will also learn about the many ways in which humans have contributed to the world, from art and literature to science and technology. Our remarkable inventions, from the wheel to the internet, have revolutionized the way we live and interact with each other.

What is it that makes us human? What is it that sets us apart from all other creatures on this planet? These questions have intrigued and puzzled thinkers, scientists, and philosophers for centuries. The human being is an incredible creation, capable of amazing feats of ingenuity, creativity, and compassion. From the dawn of civilization, humans have shown a remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and survive in even the most challenging environments. Our curiosity and desire to explore have taken us to the far corners of the earth and beyond. This book, "Amazing Human Being," explores the many aspects of human nature that make us truly remarkable. From our complex cognitive abilities to our emotional depth and capacity for empathy, this book delves into the many facets of what it means to be human. In the following pages, you will discover the incredible history of our species. You will explore the biological and psychological foundations of human behavior, including our unique capacity for language, self-awareness, and moral reasoning. You will also learn about the many ways in which humans have contributed to the world, from art and literature to science and technology. Our remarkable inventions, from the wheel to the internet, have revolutionized the way we live and interact with each other. But this book is not just a celebration of our achievements. It is also an exploration of the challenges that face us as a species. From climate change to inequality, we face many urgent problems that require innovative solutions and collective action. As you read this book, you will be challenged to think deeply about what it means to be human and what we are capable of achieving. You will be inspired by the stories of remarkable individuals who have made a difference in the world and the incredible potential that lies within each of us. Whether you are a student of history, a lover of science, or simply curious about the world around you, this book offers something for everyone. It is a testament to the incredible resilience, creativity, and compassion that defines us as a species and an invitation to explore the many wonders of the human experience.