Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

The “California Forever” Project: Tech Billionaires’ New City

What is California Forever? Who supports and opposes the plan—and why? Will the bold vision become a reality? A secretive plan to build a futuristic city near San Francisco has sparked controversy and distrust among local residents and elected officials. Supporters of the planned city say it will create new jobs and badly needed affordable housing. Opponents fear it could hamper national security, burden already taxed infrastructure systems, and destroy their treasured rural life. Continue reading to learn more about the California Forever controversy.

What’s Causing the US National Credit Card Debt Crisis?

What’s behind rising credit card debt in the US? What are its impacts? What can be done to address the crisis? US Credit card debt has surged to over $1 trillion for the first time, signaling financial distress for many Americans. Persistently high inflation paired with rising interest rates are making credit card debt increasingly unmanageable and putting financially vulnerable Americans at greater risk. Here’s what’s causing the national credit card debt crisis, and how you can avoid and pay off your debt.

Can the Affordable Housing Crisis Be Solved With Rent Control?

Would rent control protocols help solve the affordable housing crisis? What is rent control and why is it so controversial? Years of soaring rents have led some Democrats to call on the White House to implement national rent control regulations. Supporters argue that national rent control is urgently needed. Critics contend that federal rent control rules would harm renters, landlords, and communities Keep reading to learn more about national rent control.

Shoplifting Is on the Rise: Here Are Causes & Solutions

Why is shoplifting on the rise? Why are professional shoplifters unafraid of the consequences? IS the shoplifting narrative exaggerated? US shoplifting losses reached $100 billion in 2021, marking a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels. Experts are divided on the causes of the shoplifting surge and disagree on whether shoplifting is an unprecedented crisis or an exaggerated narrative pushed by retailers. Keep reading to learn more about the rise in retail theft.

How the Ranga Dias Fraud Accusations Highlight a Wider Problem

What do the Ranga Dias fraud accusations say? Why are scientists under such immense pressure to publish their works? Ranga Dias, a scientist whose discoveries could have revolutionized the field of electrical engineering, is now suspected of manipulating the results of his studies. This incident highlights the problem with the scientific community’s “publish or perish” culture. Continue reading to learn about Dias’s case and the problem it highlights.

Biden’s Executive Order 14036 Targets Monopolies

What is Executive Order 14036? What are supporters and critics saying about the plan? What’s the likelihood that it will succeed? President Biden is challenging huge corporations’ control over markets with new directives to increase competition and oversight. The success of Biden’s plan may hinge on modernizing outdated antitrust laws through bipartisan legislation. But lack of cooperation between parties poses a challenge. Here’s an overview of the plan’s goals and what it would entail.

Is In-Person Shopping Replacing E-Commerce Again?

Is in-person shopping coming back full steam? Is e-commerce on the decline? E-commerce’s explosive pandemic growth appears to be moderating, with a growing number of shoppers returning to in-person shopping for items like clothes, food, and furniture. Some experts believe that e-commerce has peaked and is in decline, while others think it’s still going strong. Keep reading for two views on the future of e-commerce.

The Future of Coworking Spaces: Will the Fad Continue?

What’s behind the rise in coworking spaces? What benefits do the spaces offer, and how are they adapting to users’ needs and preferences? Demand for coworking spaces is exploding globally, with a projected near-doubling of spaces by 2024 to 42,000. As coworking grows, the market will likely stratify into budget-level, moderate, and luxury tiers that cater to different audiences. Here’s a look at some predictions for the future of coworking spaces.

Covid Is on the Rise Again—Precautions & What to Expect

Is Covid on the rise again? How bad was the summer wave? What precautions should you take for the colder seasons? Many Americans have become accustomed to treating Covid-19 as a thing of the past—but cases are rising again. Many people have stopped taking precautions, leaving them unprepared for the current wave. But experts say the current uptick in cases is unsurprising. We’ll explore what the Covid-19 wave means, whether it’s time to get a booster or start masking again, and how experts say people should handle this next phase of Covid-19.

Why the Cybersecurity Labor Shortage Is a Big Deal (+Solutions?)

Why is there such a huge cybersecurity labor shortage right now? What’s the government doing to try to fix it? The US government faces a dangerous shortage of qualified experts to safeguard vital systems and networks from attack. The federal government is working to solve the cybersecurity labor shortage, but it will struggle if it fails to address pay discrepancies between public and private sector cybersecurity jobs. Keep reading for insight into the cybersecurity talent shortage.