Emily Kitazawa

Emily found her love of reading and writing at a young age, learning to enjoy these activities thanks to being taught them by her mom—Goodnight Moon will forever be a favorite. As a young adult, Emily graduated with her English degree, specializing in Creative Writing and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), from the University of Central Florida. She later earned her master’s degree in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University. Emily loves reading fiction, especially modern Japanese, historical, crime, and philosophical fiction. Her personal writing is inspired by observations of people and nature.

3 Innovative Uses of Probiotics to Prevent & Treat Disease

What are some innovative uses of probiotics? How can we use probiotics to prevent and treat disease? Science journalist Ed Yong believes there are many exciting uses of probiotics that could have a major impact on disease treatment and prevention. In his book I Contain Multitudes, he explains three innovative ways we can use probiotics now and in the future. Read on to learn about three innovative uses of probiotics, according to Yong’s examples.

Why Is Population Decline a Problem Across the Globe?

Why is population decline a problem in the U.S., China, Europe, and other global powers? What’s causing birth rates to fall? For the first time in 50 years, deaths in China outnumbered births. Experts argue that population decline is a problem in the U.S., Europe, and other wealthy nations, placing them on the same crash course as China if they don’t figure out a way to turn things around quickly. Read on to learn why population decline is a problem worldwide and if our population panic is warranted.

What Does UAP Mean & Why the Uptick in Sightings?

What does UAP mean? Why has there been a recent uptick in sightings? In early February, the U.S. military shot down four Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in U.S. airspace. Rather than using the term UFO, the U.S. government now uses the term UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena), meaning anything in space, in the air, on land, and in or under the sea that can’t be identified. Read on to learn more about what UAP means and why there have been more UAP sightings recently.

Matthew Syed’s Rebel Ideas: Book Overview

Want an overview of Matthew Syed’s Rebel Ideas book? What are cognitively diverse groups? Matthew Syed wrote Rebel Ideas to explain why he believes diverse groups are higher-performing than homogeneous groups. The book provides actionable advice for creating cognitively diverse groups and avoiding the dangers of homogeneity. Read on for an overview of Matthew Syed’s book Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking.

What Is the FairTax Act? How It Works & Main Critiques

What is the FairTax Act? How does it work? Will the FairTax Act be passed? A House Republican has introduced the FairTax Act of 2023, a bill that would replace the income tax and other taxes with a national sales tax. If the bill became law, Americans would no longer file tax returns—instead, they’d pay a 30% tax on their purchases. Read on to learn about what the FairTax Act is, the main critiques of the Act, and the likelihood of it being passed.

What Is Homophily? Examples From Matthew Syed

What is homophily? What are some examples of the negative consequences of homophily? In his 2019 book, Rebel Ideas, Matthew Syed explains why cognitively diverse groups are superior to homogeneous ones. According to Syed, homogeneity can lead to dangerous outcomes, including homophily, which means our tendency to surround ourselves with like-minded people. Read on to learn what homophily is, including some examples from Syed’s book Rebel Ideas.

Why Are Third-Party Cookies Going Away & What Comes Next?

Why are third-party cookies going away? What will be the impact? What will replace them? Many Americans are turning their backs on third-party cookies, which track your information and browsing history across multiple websites. With third-party cookies going away, internet users will enjoy a privacy boon but many businesses and the advertising industry may not be so fortunate. Read on to learn why third-party cookies are going away and what experts say will be the impact of their departure.

The Dangers of Echo Chambers in Large, Diverse Groups

What are the dangers of echo chambers? Why are larger groups even more susceptible to echo chambers? Author Matthew Syed advocates for cognitive diversity in his book Rebel Ideas. In the book, he confirms the dangers of echo chambers, arguing that larger, more diverse groups can actually be more susceptible to forming echo chambers. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of echo chambers in large groups, according to Syed.

The Disadvantages of Standardization: 2 Key Examples

What are the disadvantages of standardization? What are some examples of the negative effects of standardization? According to Matthew Syed, the disadvantages of standardization are best understood in the context of homogeneity versus diversity. In Rebel Ideas, he argues that standardization forces us to conform to an average while diversity fosters collective intelligence. Read on to learn about the disadvantages of standardization, according to two examples from Syed.

What Is Cognitive Diversity & Its Benefits?

What is cognitive diversity? What are its advantages? Why are cognitively diverse groups stronger? In Rebel Ideas, author Matthew Syed explains what cognitive diversity is and why cognitively diverse groups are superior. He claims that cognitively diverse groups can harness the diverse knowledge of their members, leading to increased performance and innovative ideas. Keep reading to learn more about what cognitive diversity is and its benefits, according to Syed.