[This Week's Books] 'Unlearning' and 5 Others

◆Unlearning = To acquire new knowledge, it is first necessary to ‘empty and discard’ outdated knowledge that hinders progress and leaves one behind the times. Unlearning, which means ‘discarding old knowledge,’ is gaining attention as a formula for success in the new era. The term unlearning combines the prefix un-, meaning negation, with learning, and refers to the deliberate forgetting or discarding of previously known ways of thinking or behavior patterns to adopt new and better methods. As the power of unlearning is being recognized worldwide across fields such as management, education, and the arts, the author systematically organizes and introduces its concepts and methodologies. By synthesizing Peter Senge’s ‘learning organization’ theory and BJ Fogg’s ‘behavior design’ methodology, the book provides an effective ‘unlearning’ framework for individuals and organizations. (Written by Barry O'Reilly · Wisdomhouse)

◆Insights from Jeong Se-hyun = Former Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun reveals “the path that inter-Korean relations should take within international politics, a field he has devoted nearly 50 years to academically and professionally, and the nation-centeredness of South Korea’s diplomacy.” Having studied international politics and dealt with unification issues for almost half a lifetime, the author retraces the paths South Korea has taken within the dynamics of international politics from the Three Kingdoms period to the present. Through this, he explores why nation-centeredness and pursuing one’s own goals are important from a diplomatic historical perspective, and what path and methods should be taken to achieve this. He also exposes the raw nature of diplomacy, likening it to a ‘world of gangsters,’ through various historical scenes, and identifies the core of national power and the true ambitions of current major powers such as the United States, China, and Japan. (Written by Jeong Se-hyun · Blue Forest)

◆The Moment Ideas Sell = The author, who worked for a long time as the executive producer of TEDx Cambridge, has reviewed countless applicants’ submissions. However, many failed to overcome the first hurdle: “Explain your idea in one sentence of 140 characters or less.” All applicants were accomplished scholars, scientists, or celebrities with considerable expertise, yet only one or two out of hundreds of applications passed this criterion. The author states that the business world is no different. Drawing on 25 years of experience collaborating with renowned companies in brand and message strategy, the author explains that the moment a creator’s idea is explained to customers is when it can be ‘devoured.’ He then introduces a five-step storytelling technique to help people avoid losing their way in the process of presenting ideas to the world. (Written by Tamson Webster · Hyundai Intelligence)

◆Darwin’s Disciples = This is a collection of interviews and dialogues with Darwinists worldwide. Marking the 214th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 164th anniversary of the publication of ‘On the Origin of Species,’ biologist Professor Choi Jae-chun highlights Darwinism’s deep influence across the academic world, from science to economics and philosophy. The book features conversations with Peter and Rosemary Grant, who studied Darwin’s finches (passerines) in the Gal?pagos Islands?the cradle of Darwinism?for nearly 50 years; Helena Cronin, a historian and philosopher of science who clearly explains the formation and development of the concept of sexual selection; Steven Pinker, at the forefront of evolutionary psychology researching human cognition and language; and Richard Dawkins, who reinterprets and advances Darwinian insights from a genetics perspective. Through these dialogues, the book dissects Darwin’s theory, which has become the foundation and pillar of biology and modern science. (Written by Choi Jae-chun · Science Books)

◆White Space = Many people suffer from work overload. They are caught in frustrating situations where superiors rush them, and subordinates do not follow through, with no suitable solutions in sight. The author emphasizes that such people need ‘white space’?time for rest, like the blank spaces on an empty calendar. The author argues that innovation and creativity are born in ‘margins’ where free thinking is possible, and inserting white space between tasks and schedules can help escape overload and achieve better results. Additionally, the book analyzes why modern people lack time and introduces ways to secure it. It also presents the ‘hourglass strategy’ for persuading colleagues and clients, and how to take proper rest that leads to genuine growth. (Written by Juliet Funt · Alki)

◆The Second Age of Uncertainty = It is obvious that financial management is most important in an age of uncertainty, but many struggle because they do not know how to manage it. Economic instability has complex and cascading effects on all aspects of our lives, including the job market, housing market, investment environment, government and central bank policies, and the role of corporations in society. The author, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, forecasts future economic conditions and suggests ways to respond to upcoming crises and opportunities based on the Victorian-era Great Depression in the late 1800s and the 2008 recession. Arguing that economic crises, unlike natural disasters, can be sufficiently prevented, the author identifies five major factors contributing to future uncertainty: aging populations and workforce, technological revolution, the specter of climate change, increasing government debt, and expanding global income inequality. He warns of the risks arising from the interaction of these structural factors. (Written by Stephen Poloz · Korea Price Information)