Global Culture

Hidden beneath the surface of the internet, a new, stark reality is looming - one that cuts to the very heart of our endless debates about the impact of AI. Anthropologist Mary L. Gray and computer scientist Siddharth Suri team up to unveil how services delivered by companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Uber can only function smoothly thanks to the judgment and experience of a vast, invisible human labor force. These people doing "ghost work" make the internet seem smart. An estimated 8 percent of Americans have worked at least once in this "ghost economy".

What unites Google and Facebook, Apple and Microsoft, Siemens and GE, Uber and Airbnb? Across a wide range of sectors, these firms are transforming themselves into platforms: businesses that provide the hardware and software foundation for others to operate on. This transformation signals a major shift in how capitalist firms operate and how they interact with the rest of the economy: the emergence of platform capitalism. This book critically examines these new business forms.

Leaving the Base Camp reveals the unconventional growth and management strategies Ilma Tiki used to bootstrap MailerLite from a small Lithuanian startup business to a $90 million exit, building a globally distributed remote team along the way. The entertaining tale is full of practical advice from Ilma’s 10-year-plus journey. You’ll discover the strategies that helped her scale the company while pioneering an asynchronous and productive remote work culture loved by team members in over 35 countries.

Wouldn’t you like to take a family vacation to a place you’ve never been, right now? You and your entire family are invited to come and experience, learn, feel, and imagine what life in other countries all over the world is like for other kids!

Siblings Nimol and Akara take us on a whirlwind adventure across their ancient home country of Cambodia. Are you ready to explore hidden temples that were built thousands of years ago? Would you like to taste a crispy deep-fried cricket sold on the side of the street? You could even dive into the crystal clear ocean and enjoy some tropical snorkeling. Nimol and Akara can't wait to show you where they live, how they speak, and what they eat.

In this book, Joaquin and Yocsary take us on an exciting and unforgettable adventure around the unique Central American country of Costa Rica. Are you ready to take a majestic walk in the cloud forests and visit tropical blond and black sand beaches all in the same country? Feel free to jump into the ocean and go surfing. Visit hot spring sites and learn more about the wonderful biodiversity in the Costa Rican jungle.

This thoughtful examination of a century of travel writing about the American West overturns a variety of popular and academic stereotypes. Looking at both European and American travelers' accounts of the West, from de Tocqueville's Democracy in America to William Least Heat-Moon's Blue Highways, David Wrobel offers a counternarrative to the nation's romantic entanglement with its Western past and suggests the importance of some long-overlooked authors, lively and perceptive witnesses to our history who deserve new attention.

In this visit to the Indonesian archipelago, brother and sister Wayan and Angkasa take us on a wonderful adventure around their home country and the local island of Bali. Join them as they snorkel over some of the world’s best coral reefs, surf on world-class waves, hike to the top of active volcanoes, and visit some of their most important religious and cultural sites. Wayan and Angkasa explain to us how the location of their home has influenced the diverse culture and religions that can be found there.

Aden and Naila guide us around their tropical home country of the Maldives. Are you ready to snorkel over colorful coral reefs and be surrounded by thousands of species of fish? Get a taste of the delicious seafood eaten in the islands, and watch the traditional dances of the Maldives on the white sand beaches. Learn about the culture and religion and how the country is working to protect its natural environment.

In this book, brother and sister Celia and Friedrich take us on a nationwide adventure around the European country of Austria. They give us a glimpse into the lives of their medieval ancestors and show us around their home city of Vienna. Jump aboard a train that has some of the most beautiful views in the world, learn about Austria’s rich history and the cultural traditions that the Austrian people still follow today. Have you ever dreamed of diving into crystal clear freshwater lakes, going berry picking in the forests with friends, and tasting some delicious local desserts?

Are you dreaming of taking a family vacation to a place you've never been to before? You and your whole family are invited to join us on a tour to experience, learn, feel, and imagine what life in countries around the world is like. In this audiobook, Santiago and Alejandra take us on an exciting adventure around the unique South American country of Ecuador. Are you ready to take a walk through icy volcanic glaciers and visit tropical white sand beaches all in the same small country?

You and your whole family are invited on a journey around the world. We’re heading on an adventure to explore different cultures, beliefs, and religions, as well as the holidays and festivals that bring people joy. From Iran to Israel to Mexico to Japan, we’re planning on stopping off to experience a taste of the festivities celebrated across the globe. In this one-of-a-kind kids’ documentary series, local children will give you a sneak peek at their religious beliefs, celebrations, customs, and traditions.

In this audiobook, brother and sister Ezra and Shoshanah take us on a whirlwind journey around their historical home country of Israel. Are you ready to get a glimpse into how our ancestors lived and uncover ancient temples? Join in, and learn how a small country with little water or food has blossomed into a developed economy! Feel free to jump in the warm Dead Sea and float above the salty water. Visit different educational museums from art and history to technology and space.

Wouldn't you like to take a family vacation to a place you've never been, right now? You and your entire family are invited to come and experience, learn, feel, and imagine what life in other countries all over the world is like for other kids! Visit fascinating countries around the world without ever having to leave your home with a kids’ documentary series that teaches an appreciation for both culture and biodiversity by country worldwide.

In this book, Helga and Magnus take us on a whirlwind adventure around the cold Nordic island of Iceland. They give us a peek at their ancestral traditions, the food they eat, the clothes they wear and show us the beautiful landscapes, animals, plants and places they like to visit in their home country!

In this eye-opening, essential guidebook for the new world of work, John Winsor and Jin Paik, leaders at the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard, show how the massive reset of the pandemic allowed talented workers everywhere to exit their jobs without leaving the workforce. Now some are freelancing for multiple companies or starting small businesses, leaving hiring managers scratching their heads over a workforce gone AWOL. What's more, talent has more power than ever using platforms such as Freelancer.com, Fiverr, and Upwork, setting their own terms for work.

This book is about doing our best work. Sometimes distractions, personality clashes, and working with people whose working styles are different than ours, can create friction. Some colleagues have work styles that frustrate us and slow down progress. They say we spend 90,000 hours at work during our lifetime. How great would it be if most of those hours were productive, impactful and fulfilling?

The world needs to change. We have unleashed an ecological mega-crisis which is threatening the future of life on Earth. The actions we take over the next decade are critical. They will determine the destiny of our descendants and the fate of our world. How Soon Is Now presents a compelling manifesto for personal and planetary change. It proposes a revolutionary new narrative for a unified social movement. Through global cooperation, we can face this collective threat ecologically, socially, politically and spiritually.

The essential guide for working in diverse teams and across cultures today. This practical self-help guide will optimise the performance of individuals and teams working in an intercultural environment. By increasing awareness of the nature and impact of diversity in the workplace and national cultural differences, it demonstrates how to use the power of difference to achieve positive results for all. Learn how to mitigate unconscious bias to create inclusive organisations and how to use key cultural dimensions to communicate and cooperate in intercultural teams.

Justin Breen considers himself a results guy; he’s great at making things happen, but not so great at generating awesome ideas. But that hasn’t stopped him from creating an epic business and life! What Breen lacks in idea generation, he makes up for in his ability to recognize when an amazing idea is presented to him. The concepts that rule his life and success evolved from conversations with innovators. Learn the 30 transformational ideas Breen has gathered from some of the world’s top business leaders. Each chapter concludes with simplified takeaways.