May 2, 2025

Learning

'Secure relationships rewire your brain,' and 19 other helpful truisms

Thomas Oppong's writing spans psychology, philosophy, and self-improvement.

Thomas Oppong's writing spans psychology, philosophy, and self-improvement.

Gandhi once said we must be the change we wish to see in the world. If you're like me, you've spent a lot of time talking with therapists and friends, and reading about personal development. And if you're like me, you've probably noticed that much of the advice and coaching tends to echo the same themes.

Thomas Oppong noticed this too, and he summarized what he found. His list serves as a helpful set of reminders and prompts.

ARTICLE: All the Best-Selling Psychology Books, Boiled Down to 20 Simple Rules

Learning

Maybe the smartest thing about us isn’t inside our heads.

FOLLOW THE THREAD

Learning

We can learn how to govern ourselves.

LECTURE: Beyond Markets and States: Polycentric Governance of Complex Economic Systems, Elinor Ostrom, Nobel Prize Lecture, 2009

Learning

We know how to make a “we.”

BOOK: Why We Cooperate

Learning

We inherit what others learned.

BOOK: The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter