Thursdays are all about longform links on Abnormal Returns. Wherever possible, free links behind the paywall are used. You can check out last week’s linkfest including a look at illegal global trade in sand.
Quote of the Day
"We have produced a culture that celebrates catastrophizing. This does not lend itself to effective strategies for achieving social change."
(David Brooks)
Books
- An excerpt from "Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes" by Jenny Taitz. (wsj.com)
- A Q&A with Kyle Chayka author of "Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture." (npr.org)
- An excerpt from "Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey Among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See" by Bianca Bosker. (wsj.com)
Environment
- Given our policies, wildfires are only going to get worse. (newyorker.com)
- Farmed salmon has knock-on environmental effects all over the world. (ig.ft.com)
Drugs
- How fentanyl became a global scourge. (english.elpais.com)
- Selling marijuana these days requires a sophisticated approach to marketing. (nytimes.com)
Companies
- How Eli Lilly ($LLY) became the leader in weight loss drugs. (bloomberg.com)
- How Intel ($INTC) lost ground to Taiwan Semi ($TSM). (stratechery.com)
- How 23andMe ($ME) went from hot startup to being at-risk of delisting from the Nasdaq. (wsj.com)
Longreads
- Some of the most vociferous critics of the ruling class are members of it. (newyorker.com)
- Why is TIkTok getting a free pass in the U.S.? (unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com)
- Why longevity research has largely bypassed women to-date. (on.ft.com)
- The NFL's highly touted concussion settlement is 'routinely failing to deliver money and medical care to former players suffering from dementia and CTE.' (wapo.st)
- Why local news coverage in the U.S. is suffering. (slowboring.com)
- The modern world is louder. (noemamag.com)