People Archives

Abraham Lincoln’s Stance on Slavery & Its Historical Context

What’s the difference between abolition and emancipation? Why didn’t Abraham Lincoln support a federal mandate to free slaves? In And There Was Light, historian and biographer Jon Meacham discusses Abraham Lincoln’s stance on slavery. He explains where Lincoln’s beliefs came from and the actions he took in an effort to end the practice in the United States. Read more to learn about the Great Emancipator’s views and actions in relation to slavery.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Personality: A Lifelong Social Outcast

How many childhood friends did Sam Bankman-Fried have? On what rare occasion did he wear a suit? In his recent biography Going Infinite, Michael Lewis provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Sam Bankman-Fried’s life. Lewis writes about the time before Bankman-Fried became a crypto mogul, explaining why he spent his life as a social outcast. Read more to understand Sam Bankman-Fried’s personality.

Why Is Amazon So Successful? Here Are Jeff Bezos’s 4 Reasons

Why is Amazon so successful? How does Amazon set itself apart from other businesses? When Amazon made over $100 billion in sales in a single year for the first time, Jeff Bezos reported that it’d achieved that volume faster than any other business. In Invent and Wander, Bezos attributes Amazon’s success to its workers and to the company’s culture. Continue reading to learn more about the cornerstones of Amazon’s success.

Lincoln and Johnson: A Conflict of Visions (Jon Meacham)

Why did Abraham Lincoln choose Andrew Johnson as his running mate? Did Johnson carry on Lincoln’s work? Historian and biographer Jon Meacham writes about the life and leadership of Abraham Lincoln in his book And There Was Light. He also discusses the drastic change of course in the presidency and nation after Lincoln’s assassination. Read more to learn about Lincoln and Johnson, according to Meacham.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Effective Altruism as a Path to Utilitarianism

What’s effective altruism? Why did Sam Bankman-Fried adopt this philosophy? According to biographer Michael Lewis, Sam Bankman-Fried’s effective altruism is rooted in another philosophy that he learned from his parents. Lewis writes about Bankman-Fried’s adoption of this concept and its particular path of “earning to give.” Keep reading to learn about Sam Bankman-Fried’s effective altruism beliefs and practices.

Jeff Bezos’s Leadership Style: Looking Ahead to the Future

What’s Jeff Bezos’s leadership style? How does Amazon stay in the lead in the market? To maintain Amazon’s market leadership, Bezos and the rest of his leadership team focus on the company’s success in the future, not on its current quarterly statements. Bezos explains his insistence on making decisions that pay out in the long run. Check out how Bezos makes judgment calls to be the best leader for Amazon.

Sam Bankman-Fried at Jane Street: Success—but Not Enough

How did Sam Bankman-Fried get a job with Jane Street Capital? Why didn’t he stay with the firm longer? Sam Bankman-Fried left MIT for Wall Street, taking a job with Jane Street Capital. In Going Infinite, Michael Lewis discusses Bankman-Fried’s hiring and success with the firm and reveals why the young trader didn’t stay there for the long haul. Continue reading to learn why, for Sam Bankman-Fried, Jane Street wasn’t enough.

Amazon and Jeff Bezos: Philanthropy & Charitable Efforts

How do Jeff Bezos and Amazon give back to the community? How can billionaires use their fortune for good? Amazon’s success has made Bezos one of the richest people on the planet, but his ambitions don’t end there. Bezos wants to use his wealth to be a positive force for change in the world. Take a look at Jeff Bezos’s philanthropy and charitable efforts.

Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy: Emancipator or Tyrant?

How do people think of Abraham Lincoln today? What if his life hadn’t been cut short? In And There Was Light, Jon Meacham breaks down the myths and legends surrounding America’s 16th president. He seeks to present a fair and honest account of Abraham Lincoln’s life and concludes with what he believes is a balanced view of the president’s legacy. Continue reading to learn about the weighty and complex issues entailed in Abraham Lincoln’s legacy—and decide for yourself.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Alameda Research & the Quest for More

How a Passive Investment Strategy Wins Big

Why and how did Sam Bankman-Fried build his cryptocurrency empire? Why did his managers and half of his employees quit? According to biographer Michael Lewis, Sam Bankman-Fried’s financial empire began with Alameda Research. Lewis explains why and how Bankman-Fried started the quantitative cryptocurrency trading firm. Read more to learn about the development and rise of Sam Bankman-Fried’s Alameda Research.