The World's Best Book Summaries
What does it mean to frack natural gas? How is it possible to drill horizontally? What are the benefits of fracking? Fracking is a method used to extract natural gas from the earth. Rachel Maddows, the author of Blowout, discusses the process in detail and how it may lead to energy independence in certain countries. Continue reading to learn about the history and evolution of fracking.
How can a country rich in resources be so poor? Why is the energy industry a bad investment for developing countries? You would think that a country rich in natural gas and oil would also be rich in money, but you’d be wrong. The natural resource curse refers to the idea that countries rich in natural resources tend to suffer the most because the money often goes to authoritarian governments, rather than the people. Read below to learn about the natural resource curse and how it came about.
What is the debt ceiling? Why is defaulting on the country’s debt so bad? Will Congress and the White House reach a deal to raise the debt ceiling by June? Analysts say that Congress and the White House must reach a deal to raise the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling by June to prevent the US government from defaulting on its debt. With the clock ticking and Democrats and Republicans both refusing to budge on their positions, there’s no deal in sight. Keep reading to learn why the debt ceiling is so important and why Congress and the White House are
What is the oil curse? Why is having an abundance of oil a detriment to a country rather than a money-maker? In her book Burnout, Rachel Maddow explains why countries rich in oil are usually stricken with poverty. She discusses Equatorial Guinea, the United States, and Russia. Continue reading to learn how the oil curse can afflict a nation.
Why has book banning in the US spiked as of late? Are there specific themes being targeted? The US has seen a record number of books banned in public schools and libraries this year. Although book banning isn’t new, many question whether or not it’s constitutional. Below, we’ll discuss what themes are being targeted for censorship, whether it’s constitutional, and what kinds of pushback are happening.
What causes oil spills to happen? What are the effects of oil spills? What’s the government doing to prevent them? Oil spills destroy the ocean—killing marine life and causing pollution—and put human health at risk. Sadly, they happen a lot more than people assume and are often swept under the carpet. Here’s a look at the causes and effects of oil spills.
What key changes has Elon Musk made to Twitter? What has their impact been on users and the platform? Is Elon Musk ruining Twitter? After purchasing Twitter for $44 billion, changes Musk has made to Twitter have ruffled the feathers of a broad array of users and compromised the platform’s functionality and long-term viability. The company is now worth less than half of what Musk paid for it. Keep reading for a look at the changes Musk has made and a look at their impact.
How does mining for oil and gas affect the environment? Does fracking natural gas really cause earthquakes? According to her book Blowout, Rachel Maddow contends that there are many more negative effects of mining for energy sources than people think. Some of the impacts include poisoned soil, sick livestock and humans, increased global warming, and more. Continue reading to learn how mining for energy impacts the environment.
How have Russia’s oil and gas industries made the country a superpower? In what ways has Putin taken advantage of them? In her book Blowout, Rachel Maddow claims President Vladimir Putin used Russia’s energy companies to manipulate other countries. She argues that he’s created a monopoly that relies on illegal and corrupt practices. Keep reading to learn about Putin’s control of Russia’s energy resources.
Is it possible to stop corruption in the energy industry? Is there a way for energy companies to improve the countries they’re in, rather than destroy them? In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow exposes the corruption and exploitation in the oil and gas industry. At the end of her book, Maddow suggests a few solutions to the problem, including increasing taxes on energy companies. Keep reading to learn how the world can fix the energy industry.