The World's Best Book Summaries
Is inflation good? Who is it bad for? what are the possible benefits? Economists disagree on whether or not inflation is a good thing. Some point out that it makes debt manageable, keeps housing prices in check, and allows the Federal Reserve to regulate interest rates. But others worry that it erodes purchasing power more than increased wages can support. Keep reading to find it if inflation could, in fact, personally benefit you.
Why is there a worker shortage? Is the news exaggerating the shortage? The news surrounding the global worker shortage shows that demand is currently rising for goods and services, but many people who lost jobs during the pandemic are no longer seeking them. Because of the unique nature of this downturn in employment, there are many factors that might be holding people back from work. Read on to learn why there is a worker shortage and why it could also just be a media myth.
Will inflation go back down eventually? What’s causing it to rise? When do economists predict it will end? Until recently, many felt inflation would relax once the pandemic-induced supply and demand imbalances aligned. But some now acknowledge that even if inflation is caused by the pandemic, the pandemic is nowhere near over—and neither is inflation. Read on to learn if inflation will go back down soon or, if not, how long it will last.
In what ways does the current housing market resemble the 2006 housing crisis? Are we headed towards a second housing bubble? As housing prices spike and rents soar, it’s starting to feel like it did back in 2006. Luckily, there are some major differences between the current housing market and that of the 2006 housing bubble. To name some: there’s a decrease in the availability of credit and the cause of the inflated prices is different. Below, we’ll take a look at the current real estate market and compare it to the 2006 housing bubble.
Are you a foreign exchange (Forex) trader? Perhaps you aspire to become one but aren’t sure where to start? What are the best resources to get market insights and learn Forex trading? With its low capital requirements and ease of entry, Forex trading is an attractive way to earn some extra cash— and is even some people’s primary source of income. While the barriers to entry are relatively low, Forex trading is complex and requires specialized knowledge. In this article, we’ve rounded up a list of the best resources to learn Forex, including books, blogs, courses, and podcasts.
Are you interested in trading stocks but not sure where to start? What are the best resources to learn stock trading from? When it comes to stock market investing, especially if you want to build a portfolio of individual stocks (as opposed to investing in index funds), quality information is critical. But sifting through all the noise is difficult and time-consuming, especially if you are a beginner. Here are our picks of the best stock market resources, including books, blogs, and podcasts.
What does frugal living mean? What are the best frugal blogs and websites to follow currently? How can you begin living more frugally today? Many people are feeling the effects of rising inflation, especially within the last year, and this has caused more interest in wise spending habits to make your money go further. Living a frugal lifestyle simply means saving more than you spend, and when you do spend money, spending carefully by researching the most affordable options before making a purchase. If you want to learn more about frugal living, read on for Shortform’s selection of the best
Why do people donate to charity? Do they truly care about the cause—or just how they look to others? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that charity isn’t just about helping others—it’s also about showing off how compassionate and benevolent you are. This is part of their general argument that human behavior is driven by selfish motives. Continue reading to learn more about this theory.
Why would someone buy a Tesla? Why do some people post photos of their glitzy hotel rooms on Instagram? Just as body language allows us to communicate about things we’d never put into words, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that many of our actions double as social signals or conspicuous fitness displays. This is especially noticeable when it comes to how we spend our money and other resources. Read more to understand the concept of social signaling through spending.
Why don’t rich people pay taxes? Is the American taxation regressive or progressive? In the U.S., most of the tax burden is borne by low- and middle-income earners. The reason for this is that American taxation is regressive, pulling the bulk of public funds from taxes that come from regular families while a large portion of American wealth remains in the pockets of the ultra-wealthy. Here’s why the ultra-rich pay less in taxes.