In the 2000s, major companies like Google, Apple, Adobe, and Intel, along with other corporate giants, conspired to avoid poaching each other’s employees in an effort to suppress wages. This collusion ultimately resulted in a $400 million class-action lawsuit. This illegal practice, known as a “no-poaching” or “anti-poaching” agreement, stifled employee mobility and salary growth […]
Chinese Drywall Health Crisis: The Impact on South-Eastern US Post-Hurricane Rebuilding
Between 2001 and 2009, the United States experienced widespread health concerns related to Chinese drywall. During this period, large quantities of this imported drywall were brought into the country, primarily due to rebuilding efforts in the South-East following hurricanes. The drywall would gradually emit harmful chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide, leading to the corrosion of […]
The Frugal Millionaire Next Door: Ronald Read’s Remarkable Story
Ronald Read, a Vermont gas station attendant and janitor, had accumulated a net worth of nearly $8 million at the time of his death in 2015. Described as “a blue-collar guy with blue-chip smarts,” Read invested in a diverse range of companies that paid generous dividends, focusing on well-established businesses and avoiding technology stocks. His […]
Jewish NYC: A Vibrant Community Surpassing Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Judaism ranks as the second most prevalent religion in New York City, boasting a Jewish community larger than the combined populations of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This vibrant metropolis is home to a diverse array of Jewish traditions, including the Hasidic, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements. New York City’s Jewish heritage can be traced […]
Voltaire’s Fortune: Mastering the French Lottery and Empowering Enlightenment
Voltaire, the famed French philosopher and writer, amassed considerable wealth by exploiting a flaw in the French lottery system of the early 18th century. Alongside mathematician Charles Marie de La Condamine and a group of collaborators, they seized a lucrative opportunity presented by the French national lottery, which was designed to promote bond purchases. In […]
Meta-Fiction and Timeless Themes: The Innovation of Don Quixote
Don Quixote, a groundbreaking work regarded as one of the earliest modern novels, ingeniously employs meta-fictional techniques, with the author feigning that his narrative is sourced from historical documents, requiring him to scour for lost manuscripts and translations to complete the tale. This literary masterpiece, penned by Miguel de Cervantes in the early 17th century, […]
Celtic Druids: Esteemed Arbiters and Spiritual Leaders
The revered Celtic druids enjoyed numerous privileges, including exemption from taxation and military conscription, and were held in such lofty regard that they possessed the authority to halt conflicts between clashing armies. In addition to their roles as spiritual leaders, these Druids were also responsible for preserving cultural knowledge, maintaining the oral tradition, and serving […]
Sneeze Marathon: A Young Girl’s 978-Day Uncontrollable Sneezing Journey
In 1981, a young girl named Donna, who was only 12 years old at the time, embarked on an unusual journey when she started sneezing uncontrollably. Her sneezing persisted nonstop for a staggering 978 days in a row. At first, she sneezed twice per minute, but over time, her sneezing frequency decreased to once every […]
90-Minute CPR Relay: A Community’s Lifesaving Effort in Rural Minnesota
In a rural Minnesota grocery store, a man experienced a heart attack, prompting 20 bystanders to leap into action. They formed an orderly queue and took turns performing CPR on the stricken individual for an incredible 90 minutes until emergency medical services reached the scene. Miraculously, the man survived this harrowing ordeal. Interestingly, this extraordinary […]
Oracle Co-founder’s Eco-Investment Journey on Hawaii’s Lanai Island
Lanai, the sixth-largest island in Hawaii, is predominantly owned by Oracle’s co-founder, who acquired 98% of the island (equivalent to 88,000 acres) for $300 million in 2012. He pledged to invest an additional $500 million over five years to transition the island to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, benefiting its 3,000 […]