The World's Best Book Summaries
Is Russia a superpower? How did Russia make Europe dependent on it for oil? Rachel Maddow writes in her book Blowout that Russia is an energy superpower in Europe. Thanks to this, Russia gained the ability to manipulate several countries by cutting off their supply of gas. Keep reading for a look at how Russia dominated Europe with energy.
Why was Earth Day first created? What’s the purpose of Earth Day? This weekend the world celebrates the 53rd annual Earth Day. The theme, “Invest in Our Planet,” focuses on the responsibility of governments, businesses, and other social institutions to act sustainably. It’s drawing particular attention to the harms of fossil fuels. Below, we’ll take a look at the history of Earth Day and why it still matters today.
What’s behind the 2023 salary increase in low-wage jobs in the US? Will wages of America’s lowest-paid workers continue to rise? For four decades, the gap between America’s lowest- and highest-paid workers grew. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the “reset” button for low-wage workers and reversed one-quarter of that gap. Let’s take a look at what caused the 2023 wage increase and if it’s expected to continue.
Have you ever wondered what the connection is between Jesus and an egg-carrying bunny? Where did our Easter traditions come from? The Easter holiday is commonly understood to be a day to celebrate the resurrection of Christ after his death by crucifixion. It’s celebrated around the world and has existed for around 1,700 years. However, not many people know where colored eggs and bunnies come in. Let’s take a look at the many pagan Easter traditions.
Is it possible to live forever? How much would immortality cost? Is cell rejuvenation the answer? A growing number of billionaire entrepreneurs are investing in research to try to increase the human lifespan, some even aiming for immortality. The initiatives involve medical research, biohacking routines, and attempts to create robotic avatars into which human consciousness can be transferred. Here’s a look at cell rejuvenation research, along with some alternative lifespan-extending options.
Will TikTok get banned in the US? What are the arguments for and against a US TikTok ban? What does the ban mean for you? In recent months, the White House, Congress, US armed forces, and more than half of US states have banned TikTok, from government-issued devices. There’s broad concern that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could share Americans’ personal data with the Chinese government. Keep reading to learn about both sides of the argument.
What’s behind the cybersecurity industry worker shortage? Why is it a problem? What can be done to fix it? In the second quarter of 2022, fifty-two million data breaches occurred globally. But at a time when the cybersecurity industry has its hands full, it also finds them tied: More than 700,000 cybersecurity positions are unfilled across the US and by 2025, there will be enough vacant jobs to fill 50 NFL stadiums. Below, we’ll examine why there’s a cybersecurity industry worker shortage and what can be done about it.
Are affirmative action policies still relevant in 2023? Why do some lawmakers want to eliminate affirmative action policies? The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to eliminate affirmative action policies. One side says these policies are still needed to create a just society. The other says they create reverse discrimination. We’ll look at both sides of the debate here.
Why aren’t we using more geothermal energy in the US? What are the benefits of switching to geothermal energy? America is the world’s leading producer of geothermal energy—but that currently generates less than 1% of the nation’s power. The US hopes to see geothermal generate 8.5% of electricity by 2050, but the cost and accessibility to tap the resource pose significant challenges. Below we’ll explore what geothermal energy is, its benefits and downsides, and prospects for its expansion.
What problem does David have with standard fantasy and sci-fi? Why did he stop reading self-improvement books? David is a Shortform guide writer from New York but currently resides in Italy. He’s a proponent of slow living and has recently begun to find a passion for poetry.