People Archives

Voluntary Poverty: Thoreau’s Simplicity in Action at Walden Pond

What’s voluntary poverty? What was Henry David Thoreau’s attitude toward poverty and charity? Henry David Thoreau’s simplicity is a major theme of Walden. During the time he lived in the modest cabin in the woods, he practiced voluntary poverty—stripping down his life to the bare necessities to fit the lifestyle he chose. Continue reading to learn about Thoreau’s practice of voluntary poverty and a bit about his attitude toward people who lived in poverty.

Why Did Thoreau Go to the Woods? 4 Ways Walden Drew Him In

A path through a forest with the sun beaming through.

Why did Thoreau go to the woods? Did he follow—or fight—his intuition about getting away from it all? A major subject of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden is the philosophical reasons he decided to move to the woods. He explains that he wanted to live a simpler life, connect with nature, spend time in solitude, and carve out his own path. Read more to learn about the four ideas that motivated Thoreau to move out of Concord and into a tiny cabin on Walden Pond.

Choose Your Own Path: Advice From Henry David Thoreau

A woman choosing her own path at a crossroads sign during a sunset.

What choices are the right ones for you? Do you tend to follow your intuition and live by your convictions? Henry David Thoreau made an interesting choice when he went to live in the woods. Perhaps even more interesting was his decision to leave the woods two years later. By looking at his example, you can draw inspiration to make your own choices. Read more to learn how Thoreau carved out his own life and how you can choose your own path, as well.

Henry David Thoreau: Solitude—but Not Isolation—at Walden Pond

A silhouette of a man alone in the woods.

Was Henry David Thoreau a recluse? How remote was his cabin on Walden Pond? Why did he value solitude? For Henry David Thoreau, solitude served as a major motivation for living in the woods at Walden Pond. He defined solitude as spending time by himself without feeling alone. But, he was no hermit. He left the woods at times and welcomed guests to his cabin. Read more to learn about Thoreau’s time alone—and with others—during his Walden years.

Henry David Thoreau Quotes From Walden (+ Context)

What did Henry David Thoreau find “wearisome and dissipating”? What did he learn from his time at Walden Pond? What did he consider “the treasured wealth of the world”? In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin at Walden Pond, on the outskirts of Concord, and lived there for two years. More than 160 years after Walden was first published in 1854, people still read Thoreau’s book about the life he lived, alone, in the woods of eastern Massachusetts. Continue reading for seven Henry David Thoreau quotes from Walden that will give you a good sense of the book.

Henry David Thoreau’s Personality: Elusive Man of Multitudes

How do people regard Henry David Thoreau? Do they tend to take him too literally and, as a result, miss who he really was? It’s not unusual for someone to have a mixed reputation—because people are complicated. Henry David Thoreau is no exception. An essayist and a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement, Thoreau is still read by many and revered by some. Keep reading to learn about Henry David Thoreau’s personality from those who knew him and those who’ve read his works.

Sam Bankman-Fried Found Guilty: What It Means for Crypto

How did FTX’s risky practices go unchecked for so long? Can trust in the crypto industry be restored after this high-profile failure? Is meaningful regulation coming that could stabilize the volatile crypto market? The recent conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of crypto exchange FTX, highlights regulatory gaps that have long enabled risky practices in the crypto industry. Experts say the crypto industry must oust bad actors in the meantime to restore trust. Continue reading to learn how Sam Bankman-Fried’s guilt might affect the crypto world.

John Meriwether and Salomon Brothers’ Contribution to LTCM

How did John Meriwether get his start with the investment firm Salomon Brothers? What role did Meriwether play in forming LTCM? In When Genius Failed, Roger Lowenstein writes that hedge fund manager and arbitrage expert John Meriwether was pivotal in the conception and formation of LTCM. He formed the arbitrage group at the investment firm Salomon Brothers, where he had previously worked. Let’s look at the rise of John Meriwether, Salomon Brothers’ hand in LTCM’s creation, and how they set the stage for LTCM’s rise and fall.

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears: Book Overview

What’s Britney Spears’s book The Woman in Me about? How did Spears break free of her conservatorship from her father? Britney Spears has been a pop music icon since she was a teenager. In The Woman in Me, Spears details the ups and downs of her career and private life, from the joy she’s found to the trauma she’s endured. Read below for a brief overview of The Woman in Me, Britney Spears’s book on freeing herself from her trauma and struggles.

Britney Spears’s Childhood and Her Quick Rise to Fame

What was Britney Spears’s childhood like? How did Spears become a child star? Spears was born on December 12, 1981, to parents whose marriage was already rough due to her father’s drinking. Spears writes that ever since she can remember, music was an escape from her problems at home, and singing was the only way she could safely express herself. Keep reading to learn more about Spears’s childhood and her rise to stardom.