Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

What to Take Away From the Food Disgust Sensitivity Test

Is it okay to eat old bread if you cut the moldy part off? Is the red juice from steak really blood? What foods can you eat beyond their expiration dates? A viral food disgust test called the Food Disgust Sensitivity Test has people debating whether some foods can turn your stomach—or literally make you sick. While the test is amusing to take, it’s important to know what foods you should actually be avoiding. From moldy bread and jam to yogurt past its use-by date, keep reading to learn what the experts say about what you can safely eat.

Is Extreme Tourism Good or Bad for Society?

What is extreme tourism? What dangers does it pose—and does it offer any redeeming social value? What is its future? On June 20, the US Coast Guard announced that a “catastrophic implosion” had killed five passengers on the Titan submersible. The deadly, $250,000-per-seat escapade raises questions about the perils and possible benefits of extreme tourism—an industry growing in popularity among the world’s financial elite. Keep reading for the two points of view on extreme tourism.

The Pros and Cons of Pay Transparency

What’s behind the growing trend of US states passing pay transparency legislation? Are the laws working as intended? What’s the future of pay transparency? A growing number of US states are implementing pay transparency laws, which require employers to list salary ranges on job postings. Though the laws have led to some improvements for workers and employers, they’ve also created some unintended, undesirable consequences. Below we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of pay transparency.

How Food Waste in Supermarkets Is Getting Out of Hand

Why is supermarket food waste getting out of hand? What can be done to prevent it? US grocery stores throw out 123 million pounds of food each day. Advocates hope the newly reintroduced Food Date Labeling Act will help remedy part of the food waste problem. But time will tell whether the bipartisan-backed bill can withstand objections from the food industry. Below we’ll take a look at the history of supermarket food waste and possible remedies for the situation.

Are We in Late-Stage Capitalism? The 2 Points of View

Are we in “late-stage capitalism”? Was capitalism always doomed to fail? What would replace capitalism if it died? Some authors have argued recently that capitalism is a system destined to fail, while others argue that the system is resilient due to its system of checks and balances. In a more extreme view, some believe that capitalism will inevitably lead to a revolution. Below we will discuss all these possible scenarios.

Reddit Moderators Are Protesting—Here’s Why

Why are Reddit moderators protesting? What new changes does Reddit plan to make? How have similar situations panned out in the past? Volunteer Reddit moderators are protesting a change to the platform’s policies that would potentially put an end to most third-party Reddit apps. Reddit contends the change is necessary to increase advertising revenue and reduce overhead. Here’s a look at the proposed changes, how it would affect Reddit moderators, and examples of similar situations from the past.

Some Are Saying Crypto Is Dead—Are They Right?

Is crypto dead? Is there hope for its revival? Are there other uses for blockchain technology? In November 2021, the price of Bitcoin peaked at over $68,000. A year later the price had dropped below $18,000 and the cryptocurrency industry witnessed the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Today, the promising world of virtual currencies is growing more fringe and isolated. Keep reading to learn why some are saying “crypto is dead” in 2023.

Is 2023 a Bull or Bear Market? It Depends on Who You Ask

Is the US in a bull or bear market right now? Why can’t the experts agree? Depending on which financial analyst or media outlet you listen to, right now the US stock market is either a bull, a bear, or a bull within a bear. To avoid risky bets on stocks, ignore current, frenzied bull and bear forecasts and look to experts who take a retrospective approach to assessing the market’s health. Continue reading for a breakdown of each side’s opinion on the matter, and how to create your investment strategy.

The Effects of Extreme Heat & How Cities Can Adapt

What’s behind the Earth’s rising temperatures? What are the effects of extreme heat? How can governments address the looming crisis? Global temperatures will hit record highs in the next five years, according to a report released last month by the World Meteorological Organization. There’s a 98% chance that in one of these years, the Earth will reach the hottest temperatures ever recorded. Keep reading to learn more about the impacts of extreme heat and what can be done to counter it.

The Unexpected Side Effects of Global Warming

How will global warming affect coffee and wine production? How does hot weather affect your libido and mental health? Aside from causing extreme weather events and the loss of polar bear habitats, there are other side effects of global warming that directly impact your day-to-day life. Hotter tempers, lower productivity, and even mornings without coffee may be in our future. Here, we discuss the impact that rising temperatures have on mental and physical health, leisure activities, and our daily routines.