The World's Best Book Summaries
Why are the problems with the top-down aid model? Why is the humanitarian aid system flawed? In his book The White Man’s Burden, William Easterly posits that the top-down aid model is disconnected from its recipients and is a recipe for under-delivering. However, there are cases to be made for both sides of the argument. Continue reading to learn more about the flaws in the global aid system.
What is economic shock therapy? What unintended side-effects can economic shock therapy cause? Economic shock therapy is when a country removes its protectionist measures in hopes that new entrepreneurs will emerge. The goal is to take a government-controlled economy and turn it into a free-market economy. However, real-life examples proved that this method doesn’t work. Continue below for economist William Easterly’s take on economic shock therapy.
What are the traits of Thomas Erikson’s four personality colors? What are the negative perceptions of each color? In the book Surrounded by Idiots, colors are used to break down the most common personalities into four categories: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Red and Yellow personalities are considered to be extroverted, while the Green and Blue personalities are introverted. Here’s a breakdown of the four colors and the negative perceptions of each.
What role does culture play in sports success? Is athletic ability a matter of nature or nurture? An athlete’s dedication to their sport is, at least in part, a product of socioeconomic factors and culture. Even the genetic advantages of a Nilotic body type, the ideal altitude circumstances, and the narrow lower legs of Kenyan runners still do not completely explain their running dominance. Let’s look at the interplay between culture and sports success.
Is Social Security running out of money? Why does modern monetary theory say the entitlement program crisis is a lie? Modern monetary theory (MMT) says that social entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicaid will always be safe. This theory goes against the common belief that, due to the number of Baby Boomers, the social entitlement programs will run out of money and future generations will need to find alternative forms of aid. Keep reading for economist and MMT believer Stephanie Kelton’s take on the entitlement crisis.
Do you think having a job is a fundamental right for all people? What would the pros and cons of a federal job guarantee be? Has congress ever looked into making a program like this? Stephanie Kelton, economist and the author of The Deficit Myth, says that a federal job guarantee is crucial for establishing economic order. However, critics say that a program like this would cost too much and could lead to corruption. Continue reading to learn more about what a federal job guarantee could mean for the United States.
What is false love? What are the different categories of false love? False love is when people pursue a connection for reasons such as sexual desire or a financial partnership. Although a real love relationship can include these things, they should not be the base of a relationship. Continue below to learn about the different types of false love.
What is the root cause of human unhappiness? Are humans even meant to be happy? We regard happiness as the most desirable human state. However, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and fragile. Our minds are not wired to be consistently happy. They are wired for survival. Here is why evolution didn’t mean for us to be happy.
Why are Kenyans so good at distance running? Is Kenyan running dominance a matter of superior genetics? The statistics on Kenyan running dominance are impressive, and they certainly suggest a naturally superior running ability in Kenyan marathoners. However, Kenyans are not the only runners with body types ideally suited for distance running. According to David Epstein, the author of The Sports Gene, motivation—not just genetics—is a key component of Kenyan runners’ excellence. Here is what makes Kenyans exceptional in the sport.
Why are Jamaicans so good at sprinting? Is their sprinting ability a matter of training or genetics? Just as Kenya is known for producing talented distance runners, Jamaica is known for producing talented sprinters. Since Jamaicans have largely West African ancestry, a high ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers may provide an initial advantage, but this doesn’t explain how Jamaica continues to produce so many elite sprinters. According to David Epstein, Jamaican culture can help explain why there are so many elite Jamaican runners. Here are three reasons why Jamaica produces a disproportionately large number of elite sprinters.