Shortform Books

Main Causes of the Wall Street Crash of 1929

What are the causes of the wall street crash of 1929? How did irrational optimism lead to an economic bubble that was bound to burst? The Wall Street Cash of 1929 is one of the most notorious speculative bubbles in history. Causes of the Wall Street Crash range from irrational optimism to the unsavory practices of traders. Understanding the main causes of the wall street crash will help you better understand how economic bubbles form (and why they inevitably burst). Find out the cause of the Wall Street Crash below.

6 Ways You Can Benefit From Embracing Uncertainty

Can you train yourself to embrace uncertainty about your beliefs? How could it make you a better believer? The idea of embracing uncertainty about what you believe can sound scary and even unwise. However, uncertainty can actually make you a better believer. You can learn strategies to leverage uncertainty and cultivate a healthier relationship with your beliefs. Read more to learn how and why to embrace uncertainty.

Scarcity Marketing: How and Why It Works

What is scarcity marketing? Why does the fear of missing out make people want to buy a product? Scarcity marketing is based on the idea that people generally want what they can’t have. If you can make your product seem scarce or difficult to acquire, customers will be more likely to want it. In this way, scarcity marketing can be a great way to increase demand for a product. Keep reading to find out how to use scarcity marketing the right way.

Survivorship Bias: What It Is and How to Overcome It

What is survivorship bias? How does this bias cause us to overestimate the likelihood of success? Survivorship bias is the tendency to mistake the “surviving ” or successful sample as representative of the entire group. This bias causes people to see examples of enormous success as representative of the kind of success any person can expect in that venture or endeavor. For example, people see a fabulously wealthy stockbroker and think, “Trading is very profitable.” Or they see a bestselling author and think, “Writing is a great way to get rich.” In this article, we’ll look at how survivorship bias

The Government and the Economy: Economics Basics

Systemic Inequality and Racial Segregation in Housing

What role does government play in an economy? How would free-market economies function if left to their own devices? The government provides a number of functions that are highly relevant to the economy’s function. Specifically, governments enforce rules on market transactions to ensure a fair and efficient economy. In this article, you’ll learn how the government and the economy work in tandem and several ways the government facilitates a functioning market economy.

Don’t Be a Doormat: 3 Tips for Givers

Do you notice others around you being promoted while your hard work is ignored? Can you tell the difference between honest people and those who are trying to take advantage of you? If you’re a giver, don’t be a doormat in life. It may sound simple, but many givers are easily taken advantage of because of their trusting natures. Here are Adam Grant’s three tips for givers to gain some respect.

Economic Bubbles in History: Tulip Mania to Bitcoin

Are you looking for the best examples of economic bubbles in history? What can you learn from these examples? From tulipmania in 17th Century Holland to the recent speculation around bitcoin, economic bubbles can be seen throughout history. Caused by public speculation and irrational optimism, economic bubbles are an inevitable consequence of the stock market. Keep reading for a complete list of economic bubbles in history.

Emotional Energy: The Driving Force of Change

Is your emotional side stronger than your rational side? How can you leverage your emotional energy to make positive changes? Your emotional side is usually to blame when changes fail. However, your emotional side is stronger than your rational side. If you learn to harness your emotional energy, it can be a major force for positive change. Keep reading to learn how to get your emotional energy moving in the right direction.

How to Distill the Core Message of Your Idea

Do you have an idea in mind? What is the core message behind your idea? If you have an idea to communicate, you want it to be sticky: you want people to understand it, remember it, and pass it on. The key to doing this is twofold: identifying your core message and making it compelling. Here is how you can distill the core message of your idea and make it stick.

Planning Your Meals: The Key to Losing Weight

Do you plan your meals ahead? How can the simple act of planning your meals in advance help you lose weight? John Walker, the author of The Hacker’s Diet, claims that you can lose weight by eating the exact same foods you already eat, just in smaller portion sizes. Walker says that the easiest way to ensure you’re not overeating is to carefully plan your portions and to consider the happiness/calorie ratio of foods. Here’s how planning your meals in advance can help you lose weight and keep it off.