Download or read book What s the Worst That Could Happen written by Andrew Leigh and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2024-05-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why catastrophic risks are more dangerous than you think, and how populism is making them worse. Did you know that you’re more likely to die from a catastrophe than in a car crash? The odds that a typical US resident will die from a catastrophic event—for example, nuclear war, bioterrorism, or out-of-control artificial intelligence—have been estimated at 1 in 6. That’s fifteen times more likely than a fatal car crash and thirty-one times more likely than being murdered. In What’s the Worst That Could Happen?, Andrew Leigh looks at catastrophic risks and how to mitigate them, arguing provocatively that the rise of populist politics makes catastrophe more likely. Leigh explains that pervasive short-term thinking leaves us unprepared for long-term risks. Politicians sweat the small stuff—granular policy details of legislation and regulation—but rarely devote much attention to reducing long-term risks. Populist movements thrive on short-termism because they focus on their followers’ immediate grievances. Leigh argues that we should be long-termers: broaden our thinking and give big threats the attention and resources they need. Leigh outlines the biggest existential risks facing humanity and suggests remedies for them. He discusses pandemics, considering the possibility that the next virus will be more deadly than COVID-19; warns that unchecked climate change could render large swaths of the earth uninhabitable; describes the metamorphosis of the arms race from a fight into a chaotic brawl; and examines the dangers of runaway superintelligence. Moreover, Leigh points out, populism (and its crony, totalitarianism) not only exacerbates other dangers but is also a risk factor in itself, undermining the institutions of democracy as we watch.

Download or read book What s the Worst That Could Happen written by Donald E. Westlake and published by Mysterious Press. This book was released on 2001-04-11 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It started with a ring. A cheap ring. The yellow metal said brass, not gold, and the sparkly bits were certainly not diamonds. But the ring belonged to May's horseplaying uncle, who swore it brought good luck. Dortmunder, who wouldn't kick a little good luck out of bed, puts it to the test when he goes to burglarize Long Island billionaire Max Fairbanks. As luck would have it, Dortmunder is greeted by Fairbanks himself - and a loaded gun - as soon as he strolls through the door. When the cops arrive, the mogul adds insult to injury by claiming that Dortmunder's lucky ring is actually his. Big mistake, big guy. As soon as Dortmunder can give the cops the slip, the world's most single-minded burglar goes after the fat cat with a vengeance and a team of crooks that only he can assemble. And from the get go everything will go Dortmunder's way - everything, that is, except the ring.

Download or read book What s the Worst That Could Happen written by Greg Craven and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2009-07-07 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 7.2 million YouTube viewers can't be wrong: A provocative new way to look at the global warming debate. Based on a series of viral videos that have garnered more than 7.2 million views, this visually appealing book gives readers-be they global warming activists, soccer moms, or NASCAR dads-a way to decide on the best course of action, by asking them to consider, "What's the worst that could happen?" And for those who decide that action is needed, Craven provides a solution that is not only powerful but also happens to be stunningly easy. Not just another "change your light bulb" book, this intriguing and provocative guide is the first to help readers make sense-for themselves-of the contradictory statements about global climate change. The globe is warming! or The globe is not warming. We're the ones doing it! or It's a natural cycle. It's gonna be a catastrophe! or It'll be harmless. This is the biggest threat to humankind! or This is the biggest hoax in history. Watch a Video

Download or read book What s the Worst That Can Happen written by Jessica Khan and published by . This book was released on 2020-11-02 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing up with an abusive father, Jessica started motherhood at an early age. As a young adult, all she can think about was getting drunk and partying all the time while her mom watches her children. Then a tragedy happens. She loses her mom, two sons, and a niece, and her only child left is hospitalized. She doesn't know which way to turn and finds herself into depression and drugs. Until a friend invites her to church, and she discovered a new life that makes her the woman she is today.

Download or read book What s the Worst that Could Happen written by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade and published by . This book was released on 2020-02-02 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What's the worst that could happen? Easy for grandma to say. But Kayla could only imagine the worst-case scenarios as she tried to make friends at her new school. Will Kayla overcome her fear of rejection? Or will an overactive imagination get in the way? 'What's the Worst that Could Happen?' tackles the subject of social anxiety in children with a deft, yet gentle hand. Children with social anxiety will find Kayla very relatable. Adults that struggled with shyness as children will also see themselves reflected in this book.

Download or read book The Modern Parent written by Martine Oglethorpe and published by . This book was released on 2020-04-28 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Digital technology has changed the parenting territory dramatically in recent years. Suddenly we've been tasked with preparing kids to be safe, happy and successful, not just in the real world, but in the online world as well. Martine Oglethorpe is part of a new breed of parenting educator who nimbly stays abreast of technology changes while keeping one foot firmly grounded in the timeless ways that make families strong.Martine skilfully combines her professional expertise with the lived experience gained by guiding her own children down the pathway to being skilled, savvy digital citizens. In these pages lies the blueprint for parenting kids in the digital age. It shares how to be engaged in the digital lives of our children without being overbearing or burdensome; to know when to tread lightly as a parent and when care and caution need to be taken.

Download or read book After the Worst Thing Happens written by Audrey Vernick and published by Holiday House. This book was released on 2020-07-07 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Left reeling after her thoughtless mistake causes a terrible accident, 12-year-old Army Morand channels her grief to help someone in need. Army Morand feels like her life has been blown to bits when the worst thing imaginable happens--her beloved dog dies. It was an accident, but it was also Army's fault. She can't seem to stop hiding from everything and everybody including her best friend JennaLouise. But then Army sees Madison, the little girl who moved in across the way, climbing a tree and walking down the street unsupervised. Her family is not neglectful, just overwhelmed. Army finds herself overcome with the need to help Madison's family to make sure another worst thing doesn't happen--which becomes even more challenging when a big storm threatens her town. After the Worst Thing Happens is a bittersweet story about a girl surprised by the force of a growing need inside her to reach out and lend a hand while trying to escape the swirling sadness of her own sudden loss. In the end, it is about finding love and hope and friendship in very surprising places.

Download or read book What Is the Worst That Could Happen written by Hugh Liebert and published by . This book was released on 2016-07 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book There Is No Antimemetics Division written by qntm and published by qntm. This book was released on with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An antimeme is an idea with self-censoring properties; an idea which, by its intrinsic nature, discourages or prevents people from spreading it. Antimemes are real. Think of any piece of information which you wouldn't share with anybody, like passwords, taboos and dirty secrets. Or any piece of information which would be difficult to share even if you tried: complex equations, very boring passages of text, large blocks of random numbers, and dreams... But anomalous antimemes are another matter entirely. How do you contain something you can't record or remember? How do you fight a war against an enemy with effortless, perfect camouflage, when you can never even know that you're at war? Welcome to the Antimemetics Division. No, this is not your first day. ----- This ebook is an official release by me, qntm from the SCP Foundation wiki! PM me if you require confirmation. This ebook collects all of my Antimemetics Division fiction: SCP-055, SCP-2256 and the complete serials There Is No Antimemetics Division and Five Five Five Five Five.

Download or read book When Bad Things Happen to Good People written by Harold S. Kushner and published by Random House Digital, Inc.. This book was released on 2001 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers an inspirational and compassionate approach to understanding the problems of life, and argues that we should continue to believe in God's fairness.

Download or read book How to Survive the Worst That Can Happen written by Sandy Peckinpah and published by Balboa Press. This book was released on 2014-02 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sandy Peckinpah's sixteen-year old son woke up with a fever and was dead the next morning of bacterial meningitis... her life changed forever. She found herself in the depths of unimaginable despair. Then, someone gave her a journal, and writing opened her journey of self-discovery in learning how to live life without her beautiful child. Words illuminated her path of discovery and she began to document the things that helped her, and others like her, to find resilience. This is a practical, inspirational guide to coping with the many facets of bereavement; learning how to talk about your loss, the aftermath of sorrow, handling fear and anger, helping your living children adjust, strengthening your marriage, experiencing miracles, and the promise that you will regain a quality of life where you'll feel joy once again. If you've lost a child or know someone who has, this story is one you'll relate to and find comfort in knowing you're not alone. Sandy is a mother who has experienced it, and she's a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist(R) from the Grief Recovery Institute(R) in Los Angeles.

Download or read book Innovation Equality written by Joshua Gans and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2019-10-29 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to get more innovation and more equality. Is economic inequality the price we pay for innovation? The amazing technological advances of the last two decades—in such areas as artificial intelligence, genetics, and materials—have benefited society collectively and rewarded innovators handsomely: we get cool smartphones and technology moguls become billionaires. This contributes to a growing wealth gap; in the United States; the wealth controlled by the top 0.1 percent of households equals that of the bottom ninety percent. Is this the inevitable cost of an innovation-driven economy? Economist Joshua Gans and policy maker Andrew Leigh make the case that pursuing innovation does not mean giving up on equality—precisely the opposite. In this book, they outline ways that society can become both more entrepreneurial and more egalitarian. All innovation entails uncertainty; there's no way to predict which new technologies will catch on. Therefore, Gans and Leigh argue, rather than betting on the future of particular professions, we should consider policies that embrace uncertainty and protect people from unfavorable outcomes. To this end, they suggest policies that promote both innovation and equality. If we encourage innovation in the right way, our future can look more like the cheerful techno-utopia of Star Trek than the dark techno-dystopia of The Terminator.

Download or read book The Worst Thing I ve Done written by Ursula Hegi and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2009-04-06 with total page 497 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Friends since childhood, Annie, Jake and Mason had a special bond that transcended all other relationships. When Annie's parents die on her and Mason's wedding night, the three friends decide to raise Annie's infant sister, Opal, together. Entangled relationships ensue between them and Annie struggles to be both a sister and a mother to Opal. And then, on one fateful night, the friends step over a line that has shocking, unforeseen consequences. Beautifully written and brilliantly vivid, this truth-telling and engaging novel of friendship, love and death and -- ultimately -- of resilience and understanding, will resonate long after each character tells their story.

Download or read book What s The Worst That Can Happen written by James McDonald and published by Austin Macauley Publishers. This book was released on 2022-07-29 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2006, I was told by a spirit guide that I would write a book. Yes, I see spirits. “That sounds good but what story had I to tell? Tell the story of how you came from the slums of Glasgow, pushed away your gifts of ‘sixth sense’ and rediscovered them as an adult.” Okay, from the slums of Glasgow to discovering that you’re a psychic in your late forties sounds good but the part in between might sound uninteresting. “Think about it,” I was told, “You will soon be given the opportunity to write.” My life was to follow two paths; communicating with spirit and learning to replace fear with love. My guidance came from two sources; spirit and dreams. My childhood had been a ‘lie’ and I came to realise that much of my adult life was a ‘lie’ also. I wasn’t quite the person that I thought I was. During my childhood I had been abused by my father, a person I was supposed to trust. When anything horrific happened to me I would pretend that it never happened. Unfortunately, I continued with this habit as an adult and would have difficulty facing up to anything. I had two options: run, as I had been doing, or face the truth about myself. I opted for the latter. Today I do not acknowledge negativity. I learn from every experience and think positively. It does help somewhat when the guidance that I receive is ‘out of this world!’

Download or read book The Weeping Werewolf written by Bruce Coville and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2005-11 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Edward accompanies Moongobble into the Forest of Night to prove he is a magician of merit by obtaining the tears of a werewolf, he does not know what big surprises are in store for them.

Download or read book Writing with Mentors written by Allison Marchetti and published by Heinemann Educational Books. This book was released on 2015 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Writing with Mentors, high school teachers Allison Marchetti and Rebekah O'Dell prove that the key to cultivating productive, resourceful writers-writers who can see value and purpose for writing beyond school-is using dynamic, hot-off-the-press mentor texts. In this practical guide, they provide savvy strategies for:--finding and storing fresh new mentor texts, from trusted traditional sources to the social mediums of the day --grouping mentor texts in clusters that show a diverse range of topics, styles, and approaches --teaching with lessons that demonstrate the enormous potential of mentor texts at every stage of the writing process.

Download or read book Merrily We Roll Along written by George Furth and published by Theatre Communications Group. This book was released on 2022-10-25 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The much-beloved musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, available again in print for the first time in 20 years. Written over forty years ago, Sondheim and Furth's spirited and affecting Merrily We Roll Along boasts an innovative structure that begins in the present and moves backwards in time over 20 years, tracing the personal and professional lives of a successful producer and composer and his two (now estranged) friends. With wit, irony, and a crackling score by Sondheim, Merrily poignantly captures the ways success can corrupt youthful ideals, and crumble the foundations of friendship in its wake.