The World's Best Book Summaries
What year does the Time Traveller in The Time Machine travel to? What does he find when he arrives? H.G. Wells’s classic book The Time Machine, first published in 1895, is one of the earliest known science fiction stories. It popularized the concept of time travel and introduced the now-common phrase “time machine.” Continue reading for a synopsis of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.
Does it feel like you can’t keep up with all the misinformation out there—much less refute it? Are you stuck in an echo chamber? Bullshit can exist in any era. But, Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West contend that two components of contemporary society—the internet and the mainstream media—are particularly potent vehicles for spreading bullshit. Keep reading to understand the phenomenon of bullshit media.
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 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.
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.
Does Poverty, by America offer an accurate view of poverty in the US? What criticism has it received? There’s a growing canon of recent social science works exploring the phenomenon of poverty in America. One of these books is Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America. Upon its release, critics hailed it as an important and timely contribution to the conversation. Read more to see several top Poverty, by America reviews as well as some general information about the book.
What does it feel like to be poor? What aspects of poverty can’t be quantified? It’s easy to regard poverty as a black-and-white, by-the-numbers matter. But, according to Matthew Desmond, poverty is far more than that. It’s a tangible experience he knows firsthand, and he argues that it’s important for policymakers (and everyone else) to look beyond the numbers. Keep reading to understand the lived experience—and the consequences—of poverty from Desmond’s perspective.
Are non-traditional families inherently poorer than traditional families? Is marriage just for the privileged? Poverty remains a persistent feature of American life despite the economy being large enough to raise every adult and child above the defined poverty level. The stubborn persistence of poverty has given rise to several false explanations for its staying power, including non-traditional family structures. Let’s explore the perceived connection between family structure and poverty and Matthew Desmond’s rebuttal.
Are poor people lazy? What did the Covid-19 experience teach us about poverty and work ethic? When politicians try to figure out why people become poor and stay poor, they often point to a lack of work ethic. Social scientist Matthew Desmond pushes back on this idea, pointing to data gathered during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading to learn what Desmond discovered.
Why is there poverty in the US? Do immigrants have less social mobility? Is family structure a factor? The US is a prosperous nation. But, poverty has a hold on a significant portion of the population. The stubborn persistence of poverty has given rise to several false explanations for its staying power, including immigration, non-traditional family structures, and a bad work ethic among the poor. Read more to see how social scientist Matthew Desmond tackles these three myths about poverty in the US.