Shortform Books

The Impact of Federal Reserve Interest Rate Hikes on Americans

What toll are the Federal Reserve interest rate hikes having on Americans and businesses? What are the consequences if rates continue to rise? Aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes have driven borrowing costs to painful heights, jeopardizing US household and business finances. Americans are struggling with soaring mortgage, credit card, and auto loan rates, accumulating record-high credit card debt. Here’s a look at the impact the rise in interest rates is having on Americans.

Fast This Way Book Overview and Key Points

What is Dave Asprey’s Fast This Way book about? What does Asprey have to say about intermittent fasting? In his Fast This Way book, Asprey writes about the benefits of intermittent fasting and how we can improve our health by mimicking the diets of our ancestors. These insights can support major lifestyle changes. Keep reading to discover why Dave Asprey says intermittent fasting allows you to be your best self.

The 5 Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting, Explained

What are the health benefits of intermittent fasting? Can intermittent fasting solve existing health problems? The five health benefits of intermittent fasting are promoting weight loss, improving body function, elevating cognitive function, enhancing workouts, and encouraging better sleep. Understanding these benefits in detail can help your confidence in trying an intermittent fasting program. Learn what the health benefits of fasting are and how to make the most of an intermittent fasting routine.

Reduction to Absurdity: A Handy Tool for Calling Bullshit

What’s a reductio ad absurdum? When and how should you use this useful logical construct? In Calling Bullshit, Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West contend that anyone can learn how to identify and refute bullshit in its many forms. One way to call bullshit is to construct a reduction to absurdity. It’s also helpful to know how to respond when someone uses a reduction to absurdity with one of your claims. Keep reading to understand this handy tool and get some practical advice on how to use it to get closer to the truth.

When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein: Overview

Why did the hedge fund LTCM fail so horribly? What can you learn from LTCM’s failure? In When Genius Failed, Roger Lowenstein explores the spectacular rise and catastrophic 1998 collapse of the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management (LTCM). He explores the history of LTCM, how its models operated, and how its success turned into a failure. Read below for a brief overview of When Genius Failed.

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond: Book Overview

How many Americans live in poverty? Why would a prosperous nation have impoverished people? Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond contends that the United States has a big problem. Despite the country’s vast wealth and prosperity, it suffers from a level of poverty and inequality unseen anywhere else in the developed world. Continue reading for an overview of this new book.

Working Backwards: Book Overview and Takeaways

How does the Working Backwards book describe Amazon’s guiding principles and strategies? What tools do the authors present as Amazon’s keys to success? In Working Backwards, authors Colin Brayr and Bill Carr describe how Amazon’s tools like the deep thinking document, the six-pager, and a rigorous hiring process have helped it get ahead in the industry. Learning more about these strategies can help strengthen and grow any business. Keep reading to learn about the tools and strategies that have led Amazon to success.

The Theory Behind Intermittent Fasting: Returning to Natural Eating

What is the theory behind intermittent fasting? Where does the idea come from? The theory behind intermittent fasting is that our early ancestors ate with fasting cycles, and that our shift into eating three meals a day goes against our natural instincts and needs. A look at this backstory gives insight into when intermittent fasting might be helpful. Learn more about where the idea of intermittent fasting came from in recent history.

Poverty, by America Reviews: Reactions From NYT, NPR, & WSJ

Does Poverty, by America offer an accurate view of poverty in the US? What criticism has it received? There’s a growing canon of recent social science works exploring the phenomenon of poverty in America. One of these books is Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America. Upon its release, critics hailed it as an important and timely contribution to the conversation. Read more to see several top Poverty, by America reviews as well as some general information about the book.

How to Call BS: 3 Practical Strategies for Refuting Bullshit

When you recognize lies and misinformation, do you call them out? Do you have the guts to do it but lack the skills to counter false claims? Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West acknowledge that identifying bullshit alone isn’t enough to mitigate its spread. To that end, they share several techniques for calling bullshit so that others don’t fall for it: Construct a reductio ad absurdum, provide counterexamples, and use clarifying analogies. Read more to learn how to call BS and keep misinformation at bay.