Thursdays are all about longform links on Abnormal Returns. Wherever possible, free links for premium sites are used. You can check out last week’s linkfest including a look at what happens when you recycle your iPhone.
Quote of the Day
"Because the only thing in life that’s really worth having is good skill. Good skill is the greatest possession."
(Jerry Seinfeld)
Books
- An excerpt from “Rebellion: How Antiliberalism is Tearing America Apart — Again” by Robert Kagan. (wapo.st)
- A Q&A withJoseph Cox who is the author of "Dark Wire: The Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever." (semafor.com)
- An excerpt from "The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications" by Emily Oster and Nathan Fox. (theatlantic.com)
Real estate
- Everyone agrees turning office buildings into housing makes sense. The problem is in the doing. (newyorker.com)
- Will real estate prices keep going up in a world of flat (or declining) population? (unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com)
Russia
- A look at Ukraine's success in the Black Sea. (ig.ft.com)
- Lithuania is a thriving democracy on the border of Russia. (bloomberg.com)
Comedy
- Why other comedians revere Albert Brooks. (theatlantic.com)
- Why Jerry Seinfeld keeps working. (gq.com)
Longreads
- The Internet used to be bottom up. Now its top down. (noemamag.com)
- How a Connecticut school won the smartphone battle. (wapo.st)
- Lego and Star Wars go hand-in-hand. (readtrung.com)
- How technology can help keep farmers on their farms. (thewalrus.ca)
- Healthy wetlands have muskrats. (hakaimagazine.com)
- This profile of travel impresario Rick Steves may surprise you. (washingtonpost.com)
- Why are postage stamps still a thing? (msn.com)
- The library remains a haven. (nautil.us)