Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

Cognitive Heuristics: Faster Does Not Mean Better

Are humans more rational or emotional in their decision-making? Do you think you tend to make decisions based more on logic or emotion? Many people would say that their decisions are ruled mostly by reason and logic. But the truth is most people actually make decisions more irrationally than they realize. We are all subject to biases and cognitive heuristics and pulled by our emotions. We make decisions first, and rationalize them after the fact. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common cognitive heuristics and demonstrate how they manifest with real-world examples.

Early Wins: How to Gain Recognition in Your New Role

Have you just been appointed a new role? Do you want to do something impressive to prove yourself to the higher-ups? According to Michael Watkins, the author of The First 90 Days, the best way to get noticed and, more importantly, recognized is to secure some “early wins.” This will prop up your credibility and provide an opportunity to invest in key relationships that will be essential for a successful transition. In this article, we’ll discuss how to identify areas for early wins and how to implement them effectively.

The Danger of Government Intervention in the Economy

Are there any negative effects of government intervention? How does government intervention in the economy influence the supply-and-demand equilibrium? When the government intervenes in the economy—even in an effort to help—it interferes with the natural equilibrium of supply and demand. This may create unintended ripple effects. Keep reading to learn about different types of government intervention and how they affect the economy at large.

6 Characteristics of a Good Programmer

What are the characteristics of a good programmer? What traits and qualities distinguish a “good programmer” from an “average programmer”? In The Clean Coder, Robert C. Martin, describes six qualities of a great programmer: 1) commitment to professional development, 2) discipline, 3) honesty, 4) professional communication, 5) time management, and 6) ability to work with others. Further, he shares the lessons learned the hard way, in the hopes that he can help the reader cultivate these traits and avoid making some of his mistakes. In this article, you’ll learn about Martin’s six characteristics of a good programmer and how to

The First 90 Days: Book Overview

What is Michael Watkins’s The First 90 Days about? What are some things you should know to ensure your professional transition goes as smoothly as possible? In his book The First 90 Days, Michael Watson distills proven strategies for a successful professional transition (e.g. being promoted, moving to a new location, or shifting into a different unit). After completing the book, you’ll be poised to efficiently move towards the “break-even point,” whereby you’ve contributed as much to your new job as you’ve received from it. Here is a brief overview of The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New

Price Setting: Strategies and Effects on the Economy

What is the purpose of price setting? How does artificial lowering or raising of prices for goods/services affect the economy? Sometimes the government’s efforts to help businesses include raising or lowering the prices of goods. As with other government interventions, price setting throws off the balance of supply and demand and, thus, creates ill effects. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common price setting strategies and how they affect the economy.

Project Estimation Techniques in Software Engineering

What are the different project estimation techniques in software engineering? What are some things you should take into account when estimating the completion deadline of a software development project? When you’re programming something for someone, they always want to know when it will be done. Most of the time, you won’t know exactly how long something will take, so you’ll provide an estimate instead of a guarantee. There are many methods you can use to give your managers and clients an estimation, and we’ll cover three of the options.

Henry Hazlitt: How Does Saving Affect the Economy?

How does saving affect the economy? Do you think keeping your money in a saving account or in investments has a positive or a negative effect on the country’s national wealth? Saving is generally seen as a bad thing for the economy because savings deprive spending on goods and services, thereby hurting national wealth. However, this is a fallacy—savings do the exact opposite in the long run. In this article, we’ll take a look at what actually happens when people choose to hold on to their money.

Tools of Titans: Quotes by Tim Ferriss

Are you looking for Tools of Titans quotes by Tim Ferriss? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss shares the habits and beliefs of 101 high-performing people, including tech investors, entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers. The premise of the book is that if you emulate the habits and beliefs of people who succeed the way you want to succeed, you too can be successful. Here are some quotes and passages that highlight some of the key points from the book.

Henry Hazlitt on the Negative Effects of Minimum Wage

How do minimum wage laws influence the economy? Are there any negative effects of setting a minimum wage? The minimum wage is generally seen as a good thing that benefits the workforce. However, according to economist Henry Hazlitt, minimum wage laws actually hurt employment and productivity. In this article, we’ll take a look at the negative effects of minimum wage laws on the economy at large.