Jordan Belfort: Drugs, Addiction, and Hitting Rock Bottom

A bottle of pills spilled on the table.

When did Jordan Belfort’s drug use start? What were Belfort’s primary addictions? Despite Belfort’s belief that money could solve any problem, his riches did nothing but fuel his drug use and enabled him to endanger himself in ways that only the super-wealthy can. In The Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort recounts his worsening drug addiction and the self-destructive behavior it inspired. Here’s a look at the damage Jordan Belfort’s drug use caused.

The 1962 Book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson: Overview

Stacks of books with plants on top of them in a room.

What’s Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring about? Are pesticides damaging to the environment and human health? In her 1962 book Silent Spring, biologist Rachel Carson condemns the widespread use of pesticides in the 20th century. She argues that these chemicals threaten to devastate the natural environment and poison animals and humans alike. Read below for a brief overview of Silent Spring.

The Power of Math: Making Big Predictions and Decisions

The power of math illustrated in fluctuating bars and graphs.

How powerful is math? What’s the difference between benign math models and dangerous math models? In Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy O’Neil notes that not all mathematical models are dangerous. When implemented responsibly, mathematical models can be powerful tools that enable organizations to make effective decisions that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Below we’ll define mathematical models to show the power of math.

The Different Types of Pesticides & Their Chemical Makeups

A woman planting a tree with shovels in a garden.

What are the different types of pesticides? What’s the difference between herbicides and insecticides? In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson discusses how and why chemicals are applied to the environment. She also describes how insecticides and herbicides are used, and the harmful effects they have on the environment and humans. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of pesticides that are dangerous.

How to Stop Emotional Suppression: Embrace Your Feelings

A man giving into emotional suppression by bottling up his emotions with a smile on his face.

What are the consequences of emotional suppression? What are some ways to accept your emotions, even if they’re negative? The act of suppressing your emotions happens when you avoid or distract yourself from uncomfortable feelings. When you don’t let yourself experience negative emotions—such as guilt, frustration, and grief—you might channel those emotions into unhealthy habits. Below we’ll explore the consequences of emotional suppression and how to allow yourself to feel uneasy emotions.

The Definition of a Mathematical Model (Cathy O’Neil)

A man looking at screens of mathematical models, charts, statistics, and graphs.

What’s the definition of mathematical models? Are math models biased toward a specific group of people? In Weapons of Math Destruction, data scientist Cathy O’Neil details the insidious ways mathematical models are being used to determine everything from interest rates to prison sentences. She contends that, while mathematical models can efficiently sort through vast amounts of information, they can produce dangerous results. Let’s take a look at O’Neil’s definition of a mathematical model.

Brené Brown on Empathy & Shame: Her Best Pieces of Advice

Brené Brown on Empathy & Shame: Her Best Pieces of Advice

What’s Brené Brown’s advice on empathy and shame? In her words, how does empathy help you overcome shame? Brené Brown is a world-renowned author who’s known for her work on shame, wholeheartedness, and leadership. In most of her books, she discusses the concept of empathy, and where it falls in human nature. Read below for more about Brené Brown on empathy.

Safe Alternatives to Pesticides for the Environment & Your Health

A wide shot of a farm field with a barn as an alternative to pesticides.

Are there safe alternatives to pesticides? Can we use predators as pest control? Rachel Carson argues that while pesticides use chemicals to control plant, insect, or animal populations, many biological control methods are just as effective, less expensive, and less harmful to the environment. While she does not advocate eliminating pesticides entirely, she suggests using them in more targeted ways. Check out Carson’s suggestions for alternative methods of pest control.

The 3 Challenges in Data Science When Using Dangerous Models

A graph representing the challenges of data science with bars going up and down.

What are the main challenges in data science? How can mathematical models be dangerous? A mathematical model is a mathematical simulation of a real-world event. Three characteristics make them dangerous: they’re opaque, they don’t incorporate feedback, and they operate on a large scale. Keep reading to learn more about the challenges in data science and math models.