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    Smarter by Dan Hurley Summary

    Smarter
    Dan Hurley
    3.49 (798 Reviews)
    PsychologySelf-growthProductivity
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    Overview of Smarter

    Can intelligence be upgraded like software? In "Smarter," journalist Dan Hurley challenges fixed IQ beliefs with groundbreaking neuroscience, testing everything from memory training to transcranial stimulation on himself. Discover why Malcolm Gladwell fans are buzzing about this science-backed guide to boosting your brain power.

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    Best quote from Smarter

    “

    It's the mind's workspace where raw materials become something useful.

    ”
    Explore Your Way of Learning
    Smarter isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Psychology. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
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    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
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    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    In 2008, two Swiss researchers dropped a scientific grenade into the neuroscience world. Susanne Jaeggi and Martin Buschkuehl published findings showing that playing a simple computer game for 20 minutes daily could boost fluid intelligence by 40%. This wasn't some pop psychology blog post-it appeared in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. For over a century, psychologists had treated intelligence like eye color: you got what you got at birth. Yet here was evidence suggesting your brain could be trained like a bicep. The implications rippled everywhere-from Silicon Valley startups to military labs, from parents of struggling kids to aging baby boomers terrified of cognitive decline. Even Ashton Kutcher reportedly became a devotee. But could it really be true? Could we actually make ourselves smarter? Picture a mental workbench where you juggle information in real time-calculating tips, following directions, comprehending this sentence. That's working memory, and it's fundamentally different from simply remembering facts. While short-term memory stores information passively, working memory actively manipulates it.

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