The World's Best Book Summaries
Does foreign aid work, or does it make situations worse? How can foreign aid be tailored to each country’s unique situation? British economist Paul Collier, the author of The Bottom Billion, argues that foreign aid can be helpful if it’s tailored to each country rather than applied in a one-size-fits-all manner. Here’s how countries can change their approach and make foreign aid work.
What are latency times? What are the three factors that contribute to network latency? According to Michael Lewis in his book Flash Boys, “latency time” refers to the amount of time it takes to electronically send data from one destination to another. Latency can be used by high-frequency traders to receive stock order prices faster than everyone else, which gives them an unfair advantage. Let’s learn how HF traders lower their latency times in three ways: using co-location, creating better code, and using fiber-optic cables.
What kind of attitude does Elon Musk have? How do you apply Elon Musk’s attitude to your own work? Elon Musk’s attitude all starts with a do-it-yourself mentality. The ability to take on multiple roles in his companies makes Musk an exceptional CEO, although once in a while it comes back to bite him. Keep reading to discover how Elon Musk’s attitude impacts his work and management style.
What book has stuck with Andrea over the years? Which Pulitzer Prize-winning poet did she interview? Based in Pennsylvania, Andrea is a peer editor on Shortform’s writing team. We talked with her recently to learn a bit about her relationship with books.
How do people make buying decisions? What are the key drivers that underpin a consumer’s decision to part with their hard-earned money to acquire a certain product? The consumer decision-making process may seem complex, but ultimately it is underpinned by five basic needs. These include 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 psychology of consumer buying decisions.
Can cancer be a social issue? What are the social implications of treating cancer? According to Siddhartha Mukherjee, the author of The Emperor of All Maladies, battling cancer isn’t just an interesting puzzle to solve—it is about helping people. We mustn’t focus so much on the disease that we lose sight of the people. Read about the social aspects of fighting cancer.
How would you describe your company’s culture? How well do employees know—and embrace—the company’s values? Once you’ve hired the right people and incentivized them to stay, building a positive workplace culture is your next step. This is the view of Patrick Bet-David, who argues that culture is critical because employees must identify with the company and its values if they’re going to put in their best effort. Read more to learn about the importance of shaping your company’s culture.
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 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.
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.