Stones. Beads. Feathers. Shells. Fur. Salt. No, we’re not assembling supplies for a weird craft project. These were different forms of currency used throughout history, before people settled on the forms of money we use today. The History of Money The global monetary system has lagged behind the large technological gains that we’ve enjoyed more […]
Is what you’re eating really food?
The first artificial sweetener, saccharin, was discovered by a chemist who was studying coal tar. This discovery marked a new era in synthetic food chemistry that introduced a large-scale addition of synthetic compounds to our diet. In industrialized countries like the United Kingdom, people ingest as much as 17.6 pounds (8 kilos) of food additives […]
The Republican Party, explained
Perhaps you’ve noticed that the Republican Party has been in the headlines lately? Their comical journey to find a new speaker of the House may be fresh news, but the root of that crisis has been many years in the making. Our latest Instaread examines the history and current state of conservative politics in the […]
Get it done!
If you’re always waiting for the perfect moment, that time may never come. And putting things off comes with a steep price; research shows that procrastination has harmful effects that are comparable to alcohol and drug abuse. To overcome chronic procrastination, willpower isn’t enough. You’re going to need a system. Try These Techniques You can […]
The future’s bright 😎
It’s normal to resist change. When cars were first introduced, many people thought they were a dangerous and unnecessary replacement for horses. And the English resisted using umbrellas at first because they thought that rain made them hearty and strong. (Seems crazy now, right?) Being too nostalgic can make us blind to future opportunities. How […]
The poor get poorer
The United States is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. But millions of people there live without basic necessities and struggle to make ends meet. Progress in reducing poverty has stagnated over the last 50 years despite advancements in science and tech. Why? Subsidizing the Rich The American welfare state is skewed towards benefitting the […]
Progress = Me + We
Ginni Rometty, the first woman to lead IBM, retired from the company in 2020 after almost 40 years of service. She learned a lot in her long career. With a focus on service and stewardship, Rometty has combined her personal story with leadership advice in Good Power, our latest Instaread. Harnessing Power A big problem is […]
Unmasking high-tech threats
The world’s most famous hacker died a few months ago. Of course, by the time Kevin Mitnick passed away, he had pivoted to become a security consultant. (As it turns out, becoming famous as a hacker is a professional liability.) Written after he spent five years in prison, Mitnick’s essential text on tech security is […]
On polar expeditions, pack extra snacks
Planning is so important when you travel. And planning is particularly important when you’re headed to cold reaches of Antarctica. Unfortunately, polar explorers aren’t known for crafting careful itineraries or thorough packing lists. The crew of the Belgica learned this lesson the hard way when they crashed into polar ice in 1897. Lights Out Spending the winter with your […]
Shipwrecked! 🌴
Maritime historians have their work cut out for them, especially when they’re writing about shipwrecks. Reconstructing the story of not one, but two, shipwrecks in 1864, Joan Druett has retraced the steps of the crews using survivors’ journals and historical records. Today’s Instaread navigates the dangers of the past. An Inauspicious Beginning It’s one thing […]
