Thursdays are all about longform links on Abnormal Returns. You can check out last week’s linkfest including a look at the faulty math behind the business of carbon offsets.
Quote of the Day
"For me, the ultimate gift of 'Parts Unknown' was Bourdain’s ability to show that there are—and continue to be—fascinating, underrepresented corners of the world that we ought to seek out and support as locals and travelers alike. "
(Ryan Bedsaul)
Books
- An excerpt from David Leonhardt’s new book, "Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream." (theatlantic.com)
- A Q&A with Ana Homayoun author of "Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admission." (annehelen.substack.com)
- An excerpt from "You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything" by Walt Hickey. (numlock.com)
Adam Grant
- David Epstein talks with Adam Grant author of "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." (davidepstein.substack.com)
- An excerpt from "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things" by Adam Grant. (behavioralscientist.org)
- Malcolm Gladwell talks with Adam Grant about his book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." (open.spotify.com)
Environment
- Canada is still coming to terms with its year of fire. (nytimes.com)
- Alaska's fisheries are increasingly at-risk. (bloomberg.com)
- Climate change is not great for people already prone to anxiety. (nytimes.com)
Antiquities
- How an antiques dealer unearthed theft at the British Museum. (wsj.com)
- How a sharp-eyed map dealer identified a $7.5 million map at auction. (latimes.com)
AI
- Why the big tech companies are pursuing parallel paths in AI. (matthewball.vc)
- Can AI chatbots defame someone? (arstechnica.com)
Commodities
- Rice prices are rising around the globe. (on.ft.com)
- The myths and realities of the 1973 oil price embargo. (phenomenalworld.org)
Longreads
- How big market delusions come about and eventually die: the case of EVs. (kitces.com)
- Insurance company data can be used for good or evil. (businessinsider.com)
- Parsing fact and fiction in today's San Francisco. (newyorker.com)
- Why office-to-residential conversions are so challenging. (wsj.com)
- Is increased stress to blame for worsening health outcomes? (wapo.st)
- It's not just America's politicians that are getting older. (wapo.st)
- Why are 'Calvin and Hobbes' still so popular? (newyorker.com)
