Thursdays are all about longform links on Abnormal Returns. You can check out last week’s linkfest including a look at the history of the Starbucks Frappuccino.
Quote of the Day
"In every generation, children have craved whatever entertainment their parents decried and restricted the most."
(Jason Zweig)
Book stuff
- An excerpt from Adam Tooze's new book “Shutdown: How Covid Shook the World’s Economy.” (theatlantic.com)
- Insights from Stacey Vanek Smith's new book “Machiavelli For Women: Defend Your Work, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace.” (washingtonpost.com)
- An excerpt from Max Chafkin's "The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley's Pursuit of Power." (bloomberg.com)
- An excerpt from "How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion" by David DeSteno. (wired.com)
- An excerpt from Ryan Holliday's "Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors The Brave." (ryanholiday.net)
- Facebook ($FB) knows Instagram is a hazard for teenage girls. (wsj.com)
- How Facebook ($FB) whitelists certain people who can operate outside the company's typical rules. (wsj.com)
- Facebook ($FB) has become so complex the company no longer has a handle on its own business. (wsj.com)
Social media
- When unproven therapies go wide on social media, bad things can happen. (undark.org)
- The case for quitting social media. (durmonski.com)
Autos
- The local car dealer is a dying breed. (wsj.com)
- Gas stations don't really make money selling gas. (thehustle.co)
Longreads
- How housing is at the center of many of the issues facing society. (worksinprogress.co)
- Researchers have identified a potential culprit for 'Havana syndrome.' (bbc.com)
- Inside the dangerous world of NYC delivery workers. (curbed.com)
- Battles around food are not just about science. (aeon.co)
- Why scheduling disagreements may be beneficial for a relationship. (theatlantic.com)