Shortform Books

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke: A History of Doubt

What is the truth about the dangers of secondhand smoke? Why has it taken so long for people to understand them? In Merchants of Doubt, Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway look at the history of doubt-mongering surrounding the dangers of secondhand smoke. The merchants of doubt attacked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for doing “bad science.” This had crucial implications for public awareness and policy. Read more to learn about the truth and doubt surrounding the dangers of secondhand smoke.

A Theory of Fun: What Are Games?

What are games according to Raph Koster? Why are there so many differing opinions on what games are? In his book about the theory of fun, Koster provides his own definition of what a game is along with the definitions of others. He concludes that, in general, games are puzzles designed to teach your brain new patterns. Here is what Raph Koster has to say about what games are.

Taking a New Job: What You Should Consider

Do you need to make a decision about taking a new job? When can taking a new job lead to future success? Deciding whether to take a new job can be tricky. A new job can lead to great opportunities and success, but it’s important that you make the right decision. In this article, you’ll find out what to consider when taking a new job. Keep reading to find out whether taking a new job is the right opportunity for you.

Information Gaps in Economics: What Are They?

What are information gaps in economics? Are seller-buyer information gaps good for the economy? When one party doing a business deal has more information than the other party, there is an information gap. Usually, the information gap is such that the seller has more information than the buyer. When this is the case, the market is not running efficiently. This article explains the information gap, discusses how to close it, and examines how to solve broken health care systems using these economic principles.

Donald Trump: What Were the 3 Removal Options?

Was Donald Trump fit for the presidency? Further, what were the different options for removing Trump from the post? In A Warning, a book on the behind-the-scenes of Donald Trump’s presidency, the anonymous author argues that Trump “deserves to be fired.” The question was how best to remove him from office. Any option other than an election should only be considered as a “last resort.” This article takes a look at three Donald Trump’s removal options and considers the circumstances under which they could have been possible.

What Is a Perfect Market in Economics?

What’s a perfect market in economics? Are perfect markets even possible in the real world, or is it all just theory? Even though we rarely find perfect markets in the real world, it’s useful to understand the idea of perfect markets because economists usually start there when they see imperfections. Economists attempt to remove these imperfections. In this article, we’ll discuss the effects of imperfections in the marketplace, or externalities, and discuss when governments should step in to prevent negative externalities.

Workplace Bias: Why Many “Whiten” Their Resumes

To what extent does workplace bias exist? Does “whitening” your resume really give you a better chance of getting hired? What are some of the negative side-effects of affirmative action? Today, racial bias in the workplace is very real. The biggest hurdle for people of color is the hiring process—despite anti-discrimination laws, whites still often get hired over blacks. Sadly, studies show that “whitening” your resume actually works, thus further proving that the workforce has a long way to go. Continue reading for Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt’s take on workplace bias from her book Biased.

Caveat Emptor and Caveat Venditor: The Sales Revolution

What do caveat emptor and caveat venditor mean? How has the general feeling around sales shifted? Caveat emptor is the traditional, profit-focused sales model while caveat venditor is the more modern, service-focused model of selling. The general value system has shifted from “buyer beware” to “seller beware” due to the rise in technology and social media evening the playing field between sellers and buyers. Continue below to learn more about caveat emptor and and caveat venditor.

The Entrepreneurial Model: Think Like an Entrepreneur

What is the entrepreneurial model for business? Do you have the mindset of an entrepreneur? In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber asserts that a successful business owner embraces an entrepreneurial model—a business model with measurable steps, a guiding vision, a defined structure, and functional systems. Another key to success is an entrepreneurial perspective, which keeps the focus on the business rather than the work. Read more to learn about an entrepreneurial model and mindset.

The Secret to a Good Sales Pitch: Frame Control

How do you craft a successful sales pitch? How can you get through the prospective buyer’s defenses and get them to seriously consider your proposition? According to Oren Klafff, the author of Pitch Anything, the key to crafting a good sales pitch is to win what he calls a “frame collision.” There are three common frames that your target could adopt: 1) the power frame, 2) the analyst frame, and 3) the time frame. In this article, we’ll discuss how to establish yourself in the dominant frame, which will greatly maximize the chances of getting your idea considered.