America’s Progress Has Stalled — with Derek Thompson

In this book, Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir reveal that scarcity, whether of time, money, or social connections, creates a similar psychology for everyone struggling to manage with less than they need. The authors discuss how scarcity leads to tunnel vision, reduces cognitive bandwidth, and affects decision-making. They provide examples such as why busy people mismanage their time, why dieters struggle with temptation, and why poverty persists. The book also offers insights into how individuals and organizations can better manage scarcity for greater satisfaction and success.

In 'Hit Makers,' Derek Thompson delves into the mysteries of popularity, tracing the history of hits from the 13th-century tunic craze to modern-day blockbusters like Star Wars. Thompson shatters myths about hit-making, revealing that quality alone is not enough for success and that many popular products were close to failure. He introduces concepts like MAYA (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable) and the balance between novelty and familiarity, highlighting how influential people and networks play a crucial role in making things viral. The book is a comprehensive look at how culture happens and why certain things capture people's attention.