Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

Apples in America: Why Are We So Obsessed?

How did the apple become one of America’s favorite fruits? Who first brought apples to the United States? Where did the idea of “apple picking” originate from? There’s no fruit more quintessentially American than the apple. We snack on apples year-round, pick them at orchards each fall, and bake them into pies at Thanksgiving. However, their lack of genetic diversity may pose a problem in the near future. Keep reading for a brief history of apples in America and the problems they face.

Beyond Meat Sales Drop: The Beginning of the End for Faux Meat?

Has the fake meat revolution been overhyped? Why are sales dropping so rapidly? Will they pick back up? Beyond Meat recently reported a 30% second-quarter sales plunge, leading to doubts about artificial meat’s future. Factors like high prices, inferior taste and texture, and scaling challenges have stunted the product’s growth. Here’s a look at why Beyond Meat’s sales have dropped, along with other fake meat producers.

Antarctica Is Melting: 3 New Discoveries About the Melt

Antarctica is melting, but why is that so consequential for the climate everywhere else on Earth? Would cutting emissions now help the situation? Changes that occur in Antarctica have planet-wide effects because the continent helps regulate the global climate. With the sea ice at its lowest peak since records began, some scientists are beginning to worry. Keep reading for a look at the three new discoveries about the loss of ice in Antarctica.

Are We in an Ice Age? Here’s What Scientists Say

What was North America like during the ice age? When did the last ice age end? Could we still be in one right now? Our human ancestors lived through the ice age, when a third of North America was covered by ice and woolly mammoths wandered the Earth. But, believe it or not, we’re technically still living in an ice age now. Here’s what living in an ice age is really like and what might come next for Earth’s climate.

The Future of Fusion Energy: A Money Pit or a Smart Investment?

What does the future of fusion energy look like? What are the main benefits and challenges associated with it? Fusion energy, once seen as wishful thinking, is gaining renewed attention due to recent advancements, potentially offering an abundant, eco-friendly power source. Private companies are pouring billions into fusion startups racing to make commercial reactors a reality within a decade. Continue reading to learn what fusion energy is and how it might be used in the future.

Why the Popularity of Classical Music Is Suddenly Rising

Why are younger generations suddenly listening to classical music again? How do millennials and Gen Z discover new music? Classical music is gaining surprising ground with millennials and with Gen Z. What used to be a genre reserved for those over 50 is now making its way to listeners under 35—and streaming platforms are influencing this behavior. Below, we’ll explore why the popularity of classical music is rising and what role streaming apps have to play.

President Biden’s Artificial Intelligence Executive Order

What does the artificial intelligence executive order entail? What key provisions does the order contain to manage risks and protect Americans? President Biden issued a sweeping executive order in October to oversee artificial intelligence technologies, establishing new guidelines for safety, security, and privacy. The order has received mixed responses from various stakeholders. Continue reading for an overview of the order, the goals, and reactions.

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.

The Impact of Federal Reserve Interest Rate Hikes on Americans

What toll are the Federal Reserve interest rate hikes having on Americans and businesses? What are the consequences if rates continue to rise? Aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes have driven borrowing costs to painful heights, jeopardizing US household and business finances. Americans are struggling with soaring mortgage, credit card, and auto loan rates, accumulating record-high credit card debt. Here’s a look at the impact the rise in interest rates is having on Americans.

Arguments for and Against a Global Billionaire Tax

How would a global minimum tax on billionaires’ wealth work? What are the main arguments for and against the tax? Does the proposal have a shot at becoming a reality? A proposal for a 2% minimum tax on billionaires’ wealth aims to raise revenue and address inequality, but faces skepticism. Proponents say the billionaire tax could generate $250 billion annually while critics argue that implementing the tax will require global coordination that will be tough to achieve quickly. Continue reading to learn about the different opinions regarding a billionaire tax.