For the Burned Out, Fried, and Exhausted | Emily & Amelia Nagoski
10% Happier with Dan Harris
Universal Tactics, The Real Enemy, and The Rigged Game
Universal tactics are evidence-based interventions available to everyone, but there are also special challenges facing women, described as 'the real enemy' in the book. This term refers to the reluctance to acknowledge the concept of patriarchy, which is intimidating because once named, it becomes real. The book also discusses ways to win the game, emphasizing the importance of completing the stress response cycle, managing frustration, and connecting with something larger than oneself. However, it then delves into the concept of the rigged game, explaining that certain individuals, especially women, face more and different obstacles in life due to factors such as gender, race, and creed. The analogy of 'the real enemy' is taken from the Hunger Games, where it symbolizes fighting against a dystopian and oppressive system. This concept is rooted in Martin Seligman's learned helplessness research, which shows that individuals who believe the game is rigged experience a lifting of despair once they realize they could not have won. The book encourages reassurance for those living in oppressive environments, acknowledging that the game is rigged, and they are not being given the rules or access to resources needed to succeed.
