The Great Mental Models Volume 2

“The Great Mental Models Volume 2 (2019)” delves into the skill of forging unexpected connections, drawing its foundation from the “hard” sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology. While it explores fundamental concepts like electrons, elements, and evolution, its reach extends beyond these scientific realms. The book presents a captivating intellectual history, demonstrating how the ideas it covers can be applied to various aspects of our daily lives. It emphasizes the value of making connections between seemingly disparate fields of knowledge, offering insights that go beyond the confines of traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Key Takeaways

Takeaway No. 1 — When it comes to driving social change, the mass or widespread impact of an issue is crucial.

The example given involves the contrasting fates of absinthe and lead in the early 20th century. Absinthe, despite being falsely accused of severe harms, gained widespread attention and was eventually banned. On the other hand, lead, a genuinely harmful substance with evidence supporting its dangers, continued to be used for a long time without facing a significant campaign against it.