The weekend is a great time to catch up on some long form items that we passed up on during the week. Thanks for checking in.

Investing

“Smart beta” is the new beta.  (FT)

Want to lower the cost of investing? Ban commissions on mutual funds like the Dutch.  (WSJ)

Investors in search of the holy grail will always be disappointed.  (Above the Market)

Why asking someone where they think the market is going is a stupid question.  (Big Picture)

Finance

Decoupling advisory from custody: a big money management trend.  (A VC)

When short selling is the “right thing to do.”  (Crossing Wall Street)

Can we predict the next financial crisis?  (Pragmatic Capitalism)

Business

The Supreme Court is becoming increasingly business-friendly.  (HBR)

How shareholders are ruining American business.  (The Atlantic)

The great global cities are pricing out all but the elites.  (FT)

Technology

Mobile payments are the new money laundering.  (Quartz)

Silicon Valley can still innovate just not in the way you think.  (GigaOM)

Big data is taking hold in nearly every field.  (Bits)

The startup backlash is here.  (Medium)

Science

What was Roman cement so darn good?  (Businessweek via kottke)

How long can you really wait to have a baby?  (The Atlantic)

Should middle age men do triathalons?  (Bloomberg)

Food

Global fish prices are at an all-time high.  (FT)

Grass fed beef is becoming a real business.  (NYTimes)

How caffeine may inhibit creative thinking.  (New Yorker)

American women are drinking more these days.  (WSJ)

Entertainment

How A&E became must-watch television.  (Businessweek)

Twenty notes on the future of radio.  (Bob Leftsetz)

Norwegians apparently enjoy really boring TV.  (WSJ)

RIP, James Gandolfini.  (New Yorker, Grantland)

Books

Some summer book recommendations from an illustrious group of finance bloggers.  (Abnormal Returns)

Some lessons on living culled from 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and Trued Advice from the Wisest Americans by Karl Pillemer.  (Farnam Street)

Excerpts from Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why “Follow Your Passion” is Bad Advice – and the Surprising Strategies That Work Better.  (Kevin Kelly)

Thanks for checking in with Abnormal Returns. You can follow us on StockTwits and Twitter.

More Posts This Week

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Please see disclosures here.

Please see the Terms & Conditions page for a full disclaimer.