Shortform Books

The Dotcom Boom and Bust: Feedback Loops and Bubbles

What caused the dotcom boom and bust? How does the theory of speculative bubbles explain what happened? The dotcom boom and bust was caused by feedback loops in which investors responded to increasing prices by pushing prices even higher. To understand how this happened, we need to take a closer look at each factor that influenced how investors speculated. Continue reading to learn what caused the dotcom bubble to form and then burst in the early 2000s.

What Is Aging in Humans? Definitions and Disproved Myths

What is aging in humans? What are common myths about aging? Though we all know on a basic level what “aging” is, scientists often use common terms differently than the general public. In Ageless, Andrew Steele defines aging and explores common myths that prevent laypeople and scientists alike from understanding aging as a process we can modify. Let’s look at the definition of aging, according to Steele and other experts.

The Eisenhower Method: Ditch the To-Do List, & Get More Done

How long is your to-do list? Do time-sensitive tasks get lost in the shuffle? Do urgent items constantly keep important items on the back burner? Grace Beverley says there’s a better way. She recommends the Eisenhower Method as a replacement for a traditional to-do list. She explains how it can help you increase productivity, minimize wasted time, and stay organized. Keep reading to learn how the Eisenhower Method works and consider how it might be a valuable work companion.

The 20-Hour Rule: Josh Kaufman’s 7 Tips for Practicing a Skill

When practicing, which is more important—quality or quantity? When should you sleep in relation to your practice time? How much practice should you fit into one day? In The First 20 Hours, skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman outlines a step-by-step process for mastering the basics of any new skill with only 20 hours of practice. He provides several tips designed to help you get the most out of those 20 hours. Keep reading to get Kaufman’s advice on leveraging the 20-hour rule of skill acquisition.

How to Be a Good Team Leader by Empowering Employees

When learning how to be a good team leader, what should you focus on? What does it take to draw the best out of your team? To be a good team leader, you should regularly evaluate your team’s performance and encourage team members to become leaders. By learning to empower your employees, you can support them in becoming leaders and encourage them to perform better. Read on to learn how you can become a better leader.

Community Growth: Best Practices for Recruitment & Equality

Does your community feel too small? What are the best practices for community growth? When your community is at a point where it’s been strengthened by lore, emblems, and keepsakes, it’ll be ready to invite new members. Charles Vogl has some tips for incorporating new members and discusses how to use stratification to your community’s advantage. Let’s look at the key ways to grow your community so it can reach new people.

Stop Trying to Be Happy: Forced Positivity Tends to Backfire

Do you use positive affirmations? Do you struggle to keep negative feelings at bay? Oliver Burkeman contends that you should stop trying to be happy by forcing positive thoughts. He says that doing so only exacerbates negative feelings; it doesn’t make them go away. Read more to learn how forcing happiness can have the opposite result.

Britney Spears and Her Dad: How He Took Control of Her Life

Why was the relationship between Britney Spears and her dad strained? What did her father make her do while controlling her under the conservatorship? In her memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears recalls how her father had a drinking problem since she was a child. When she was an adult, he was made her conservator in a controversial case that led to years of abuse and mistreatment. Continue reading to learn more about the strain Spears felt in the relationship with her father.

3 Profound Ways to Be Comfortable With Uncertainty

Do you rush into things just to avoid uncertainty? How well do you distinguish between real and perceived threats? Oliver Burkeman asserts that being comfortable with uncertainty can diminish fear and anxiety, leading to deeper, more genuine happiness. This approach encourages you to find joy amidst the unpredictability of life, rather than striving for control. Continue reading to learn three methods that Burkeman recommends for feeling more comfortable with impermanence and uncertainty.

How to Create a Million-Dollar Business: Advice for Entrepreneurs

What does it take to build a million-dollar business? Should you sell or scale a business after it hits success? Reaching a point where your business is valued at a million dollars is an entrepreneur’s dream. Getting there from scratch requires passion, innovation, and delivering what the customer wants. Here’s how to turn your idea into a million-dollar business that’ll just keep growing.