5 Subjects Everyone Should Be Exposed To Before The Age Of 25. (Part 1).

As a keen observer of societies here in my native country Nigeria and all around the world, it baffles me when I see people react to events and the news with a lot of anxiety and hysteria. To me, such anxiety and reaction to current events most times cloaked in despair speaks to a knowledge gap which I believe if provided to people of different ages (especially younger people) would lead to calmer, optimistic, and rational outlooks on how events are seen reacted to and acted upon.

Knowledge and wide understanding of different subject matters provide the fundamental basis of survival in today's world and as you grow older and get a good sense of life and society, your ability to think, reason and make decisions on a daily basis is vital. Your ability to think, reason, and make decisions hinge on the width and depth of knowledge and information you have, and thus the following subjects laid out in this article are what I believe everyone should have knowledge on in both width and depth regardless of their career or personal interest before the age of 25. These subjects cut across areas of human nature, past and relationships, and actions giving you a framework that enables understanding, success, and the pursuit of happiness.

1. History.

A. What is History: History is simply the study of past events particularly in human affairs.

B. Why is History so important:

• History helps us develop a better understanding of the world.
• History helps us understand ourselves.
• History helps us learn to understand other people.
• History teaches a working understanding of change.
• History makes us better decision-makers.

C. Where to start with History:

• History: “From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day” by Smithsonian Institution.

[This book tells a fascinating story of the human race and more than 6 million years of global history in a visual and encyclopedia way.]

• The History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK.

[ This book is a fascinating journey through the most significant events in history and the big ideas behind each one, from the dawn of civilization to the lightning-paced culture of today.]

2. Economics.

A. What is Economics: Economics is a social science concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It studies how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make sense of how to allocate resources.

B. Why is Economics so important:

• Economics helps us make informed decisions.
• Economics influences our daily lives from issues such as taxes, inflation, interest rates, wealth, inequality, emerging markets, energy, and the environment.
• Economics helps you improve your analytical and rational thinking skills.
• Economics helps us make a good decision on our money, budgeting, and spending habits.
• Economics helps us understand how people, businesses, markets, and governments work, so we can better respond to threats and opportunities that emerge when things change.

C. Where to start with Economics:

• Basic Economics: “A Citizen’s Guide to the Economy” by Thomas Sowell.

[This book helps you understand how the economy works in an easy way without jargon or equations.]

• The Economics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK.

[This book is your jargon-free, visual guide to understanding the production and distribution of wealth.]

3. Politics.

A. What is Politics: Politics is the art or science of government as well as the process of winning, guiding, influencing, and holding control over a government and governmental policy.

B. Why is Politics so important:

• Politics makes you see and understand how power works.
• Politics impacts nearly every aspect of our lives.
• Politics shapes policy that improves and affects our lives.
• Understanding Politics enables you to build a framework for how to influence the state of government at any particular time.

C. Where to start with Politics:

• 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.

[This book distills three thousand years of history of power into 48 essential law by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Clausewitz.]

• Why Nations Fail: “The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.

[This book explains the politics of countries and how the policies they use result in success or failure.]

• The Politics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK.

[This book clearly and simply explains more than 100 groundbreaking ideas in the history of political thought.]

4. Law.

A. What is Law: Law is a system of rules created and enforced through social and governmental institutions to regulate behaviors.

B. Why is Law so important:

• Law helps societies to maintain order.
• Law help maintain standards.
• Law provides a framework and rules to help resolve disputes.

C. Where to start with Law:

• The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham.

[This book elaborates on the rule of law, its origins, and effects on our daily lives.]

• The Law Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK.

[This book explores big questions like these, explaining the laws and legal precedents, and religious, political, and moral codes that have shaped the world we live in.]

5. Science.

A. What is Science: Science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. It is a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.

B. Why is Science so important:

• Science helps you to be highly analytical.
• Science helps you to be able to solve complex problems.
• Science helps advance the knowledge of how the universe works.’
• Science helps build technologies and innovations that improve everyday life.

C. Where to start with Science:

• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.

[This book highlights and takes you through the journey of the origin and development of the Universe.]

• The Science Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK.

[This book is an inventive visual take on astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. With eye-catching artwork, step-by-step diagrams, and illustrations that break down complicated ideas into manageable concepts.]