Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

The Cause of the Severe Weather in California

A young man walking through a flooded city street wearing a backpack

What is an atmospheric river? How are they affecting California’s weather? Will California’s weather get more or less extreme in the coming years? A record-breaking storm hit California in early February 2024, causing widespread flooding in major cities. Researchers predict that as global temperatures continue to rise, California will experience more intense storms with increased dry spells between them. Continue reading to learn what’s behind the severe weather in California and the challenges it creates.

The Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language for Your Brain

A senior man studying a different language in a notebook in a classroom

What are the advantages of learning a foreign language? Can learning another language help prevent Alzheimer’s? Do language apps actually help? Learning a second language is a big challenge for your brain. Research suggests it might be the right kind of challenge to boost your executive function, improve your cognitive skills, and even delay the symptoms of cognitive decline. Here’s the psychological research behind learning another language.

FTC Investigates Anthropic and OpenAI Monopoly Concerns

A phone on a laptop that has Open AI on the screen

Is Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI a monopoly? What’s the extent of the FTC investigation so far? What are the potential consequences for the companies involved? The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet’s huge investments in AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic violate antitrust laws by stifling competition. The outcome of the probe could have significant consequences for the parties involved. Here’s a more in-depth look at the FTC investigation.

Biden’s Natural Gas Suspension: Environment vs. Economy

A cargo ship on the ocean carrying liquid natural gas.

What are the environmental consequences of natural gas exports? How is the Biden administration tackling the trade-off between increased natural gas exports and climate change goals? The Biden administration has temporarily suspended approval of natural gas exports to non-free trade agreement countries. As Democrats prepare for the 2024 presidential election, they must balance the economic benefits of increasing natural gas exports with fulfilling climate change pledges. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Biden’s natural gas suspension.

Why Tech Industry Layoffs Aren’t Going Away

A man organizing paper at his desk in an office.

Will tech industry layoffs slow down this year? Why are companies cutting jobs? What can tech workers do to navigate the rocky landscape? Thousands of tech professionals are out of work as industry layoffs persist in 2024, raising concerns about the sector’s stability. Big tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have announced more layoffs for the future, prompted by post-pandemic hiring corrections and strategic pivots to focus on AI. Here’s a closer look at who’s getting laid off and why.

What the Houthi Red Sea Attacks Mean for Global Trade

What do the Houthi Red Sea attacks mean for global trade? What sparked the attacks? Will there be long-term effects on the world economy? Houthi rebels’ targeted attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have disrupted one of the world’s busiest trade routes. To avoid the assaults, more commercial vessels are taking detours, which is raising shippers’ operational costs and disrupting the global supply chain. Keep reading for a background on the Houthi attacks and how they may affect the world economy.

How the Great Wealth Transfer Might Disrupt the Economy

A woman smiling while holding a document titled "Will & Testament."

Who will benefit from the upcoming Great Wealth Transfer? How could it possibly destabilize the entire economy? A significant financial shift called the Great Wealth Transfer is anticipated in the coming decades as baby boomers pass down their capital to millennials and Gen Zers. However, experts predict these inheritances will disproportionately favor those who are already wealthy. Here’s a look at who might benefit from the wealth transfer and how it could disrupt the economy.

Why Political Predictions Shouldn’t Be Made From Polls

An image of a presidential candidate below "Who will you vote for" on a smartphone.

How useful are political polls if you’re trying to make election predictions? What else can be learned from them? Political polls collect information on how Americans are thinking about political issues and candidates. However, they should be taken with a grain of salt, as results aren’t always accurate. Here’s a look at the usefulness of polls when making political predictions.

The World Economic Forum 2024: Takeaways & Critiques

What was discussed at the World Economic Forum 2024? What are the biggest critiques around the gathering of elites? In January, global leaders in the public and private sectors converged at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland to talk about issues like the economy, geopolitical conflicts, and the environment. While it’s brought about some meaningful change, its participants are often skittish around sensitive topics. Here’s a background on what Davos is and this year’s key takeaways.

Overwhelmed by Housework? Try This Reframing Technique

Do your chores tend to pile up? Do you frequently feel overwhelmed by housework? How can you view your chores differently? In an episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel Robbins and KC Davis discuss the peaceful feeling we get when our houses are clean. However, they know that the to-do list can be daunting so they provide some mental reframing techniques. Here’s an overview of Mel Robbins and KC Davis’ advice on changing your perspective of housework.