The World's Best Book Summaries
Should fairness be accounted for in economics? How does fairness conflict with budget optimization? Economist Richard H. Thaler argues that consumers are concerned with fairness and cooperation, even when these concerns get in the way of their budget. This is shown by two experiments: the ultimatum game and the prisoner’s dilemma. Discover why fairness in economics doesn’t always have a happy ending.
What’s your destiny? Are you holding onto things that are holding you back? Are you failing to embrace the things that will move you forward? In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron argues that belief is a cornerstone in maximizing your creative potential and achieving your artistic destiny. She shares three tips that can help you believe in your abilities and potential: trust the process, embrace and detach, and nourish yourself. Continue reading to get the details of her advice.
What are the harmful effects of pesticides on humans? What can pesticides do to insects and animals? In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson warns that pesticides will do more damage to your health than good. Common effects of pesticide spraying on insects, animals, and humans can include nerve damage and convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, difficulty breathing, and mass death. Find out more about how pesticides are negatively affecting you and other species.
Do you want people to stop walking over you? Do you know how to not be a pushover? When someone is a pushover, it means they’re easy to influence or take advantage of. These kinds of people have a hard time standing up for themselves and usually want to please everyone at their own expense. Check out the problem with being a people pleaser and how to not be a pushover.
Why did Henry David Thoreau plant beans at Walden? How did his bean field occupy so much of his time? In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin at Walden Pond, on the outskirts of Concord, Massachusetts, and lived there for two years. While we usually think of Thoreau spending time in the woods, he spent a considerable amount of time in his field. Keep reading to learn about the Walden bean field and what it provided Thoreau.
Is artificial intelligence a problem or solution for humanity? What are the best books on AI to read right now? Determining AI as a problem or solution isn’t so simple. There’s still so much we don’t know about it, despite our hand in creating it, but there are many experts out there who can help you learn more about the potential benefits and risks of computer intelligence. Below we’ll look at the best books on AI that warn about the evolving technology and advise how to live with it.
Who were the Jagat Seths? How did they make their money—and how did they use it to influence Mughal India? The Jagat Seths were one of Mughal India’s wealthiest and most influential families. They used their wealth and power to shape the political scene, financially backing coups in collusion with the East India Company. Read more to learn about the powerful Jagat Seth family of financiers.
How is discipline like a muscle? How can you maintain discipline through exercise? In The Science of Self-Discipline, Peter Hollins says discipline is a muscle that you can develop and strengthen over time. But like any other muscle, over-exercising discipline can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Continue reading to learn more about why discipline is similar to a muscle.
Is Bono a Christian musician? How has faith played a role in his life? Bono is a Christian, and his faith drove his music and his activism throughout his life—which he discusses in his memoir Surrender. Understanding Bono’s faith is critical for understanding his motivation. Take a look at how Bono’s faith developed over his life and how it influenced his career.
What’s the efficient market hypothesis in behavioral finance? What are the flaws of the efficient market hypothesis? While famous economist Richard H. Thaler agrees with the EMH’s claim that it’s impossible to consistently beat the market, he disagrees with the claim that securities’ prices always reflect their intrinsic value. He considers three arguments against this thesis. Take a look at the three arguments against the efficient market hypothesis below.