Shortform Books

Military Interventions: Are They Harmful or Helpful?

Does humanitarian military intervention actually work? Should the West be intervening in foreign military affairs? Military aid is a dicey topic. Some believe it works, while others are strictly against it. Economist Paul Collier, the author of The Bottom Billion, believes that it’s necessary for restoring order, keeping the peace, and protecting against coups. Here’s why Collier thinks military intervention is crucial in helping developing nations grow.

Are Vegetarians Healthier? Why Plants Are Here to Stay

Are vegetarians healthier than meat-eaters? Should you stop eating meat? Americans are the biggest consumers of meat out of any country. They also struggle with obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease at an alarmingly high rate. That’s why many are starting to turn to vegetarianism—however, vegetarianism comes with its own set of health risks. Continue reading to find out if vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters.

Latency Arbitrage: A Manipulative Stock Trading Tactic

What is latency arbitrage? How is it used against slower trading investors in the stock market? According to Michael Lewis, the author of Flash Boys, latency arbitrage is one of the many tactics that high-frequency traders (HF) use to get an unfair advantage over average traders in the market. By using different latency speeds, HF traders can buy a stock and then sell it for a much higher price in a matter of seconds. Let’s look at why Lewis believes latency arbitrage is a problem in stock trading, and why others disagree with him.

How Elon Musk Learns Faster Than Everyone Else

Do you want to know how Elon Musk learns about so many industries in such a short amount of time? Does it come down to personality or can you use these learning tactics too? Both his desire to learn and his learning approach contribute to how Elon Musk learns so quickly. In finding out what techniques he uses, you too can become a more efficient learner. Keep reading to explore how Elon Musk learns faster than everyone else.

Understanding Customer Needs and Wants

Why do people buy things? What needs do customers seek to fulfill by buying products and services? People’s purchasing decisions are underpinned by a wide range of factors. However, they all ultimately boil down to basic, fundamental customer needs and wants: 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the five basic customer needs.

How Does Chemo Work in Treating Cancer?

How does chemo work in treating cancer? Why is chemotherapy so harmful? Chemotherapy uses powerful yet toxic drugs to destroy malignant cancerous tumors. However, drugs don’t discriminate between cancerous cells and healthy cells, which is why chemotherapy has so many side effects. Keep reading to learn about chemotherapy, how it works, and why it’s so harmful.

Starting a Tech Company That Makes a Difference

What is the key to tech startup success? What are the key elements a tech startup needs to make a difference? Peter Thiel believes that startups are the way to the future. It’s these new companies that will unleash new technologies we need to progress as a society. In his book Zero to One, Thiel shares five elements that a startup business must have if it wants to make this kind of impact: revolutionary technology, strategic timing, a great team, effective distribution, and enduring value. Continue reading for Thiel’s insights on starting a tech company that makes a difference.

How to Improve Business Efficiency: Do More With Less

Do you want to make your business run more efficiently? What are some things you can do to increase the efficiency of your operations without compromising quality? In his book Profit First, Mike Michalowicz says that business owners should try to increase efficiency everywhere they can. Michalowicz recommends three mindsets to accomplish this: 1) don’t just think small, 2) solve a unique problem well, and 3) push sales after you adopt an innovation. Here’s how to improve business efficiency, according to Michalowicz.

How Tesla Became Successful: The 2010 Turning Point

Do you want to know how Tesla became successful? Is Tesla’s success attributed to Elon Musk, the Tesla employees, the government, or the public? The story of how Tesla became successful is told in many small chapters. Tesla suffered severe financial and manufacturing issues early on and struggled to stay in business. It wasn’t until 2010 that the rest of the world started to believe in Musk’s vision. Keep reading to learn how Tesla became successful and who contributed to its success.

The Principles of Management Accounting Are Outdated

What is management accounting? What are the three principles of management accounting? According to Mike Michalowicz, the author of Profit First, traditional management accounting has three basic principles. These principles have been used for years, and Michalowicz believes they are outdated. Here’s an overview of traditional management accounting principles, according to Michalowicz.