The field of data engineering moves so fast that it can be challenging to stay on top of best practices and new approaches. That’s why data experts Joe Reis and Matt Housley partnered on a field guide that covers everything from easy concepts to advanced practices. Our latest Instaread hits the high points of this […]
How to start a business in 48 hours
Noah Kagan has launched eight different businesses worth more than a million dollars. The hardest part, in his opinion? Getting started. Are you a “wantrepreneur” who is nervous about getting an idea off the ground? This Instaread is for you. Kickstart Your Business Kagan designed his concept for the Million Dollar Weekend to guide aspiring […]
Don’t pay the “dumb tax”
Smart people make mistakes with money all the time. That’s because most financial problems are the result of hasty, emotion-driven decisions. The good news is that many errors are preventable. Our latest Instaread can help you avoid some common financial pitfalls. Put on Your Thinking Cap Business is just a skill like anything else. That […]
Why projects fail
Home renovations are notorious for going over budget. But plenty of other endeavors — whether it’s construction or space exploration — have the same problem. Big projects are high-risk and high-cost by nature. How can we increase our odds of success? Shorten the Active Phase Projects that fail often suffer from extended durations, which heighten […]
Warren Buffett’s shadow self
A few days ago, in his annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett remembered his long-time business partner, Charlie Munger. Munger, who died last November at the age of 99, wasn’t as famous as Buffett, but he was just as important to the company’s success. Our latest Instaread looks at his investment […]
What are the conditions for innovation?
In recent years, we’ve seen many governments around the world attempt to regulate Big Tech. But it’s tricky to regulate in a sector where you want to incentivize innovation. Our latest release, How Innovation Works, explores the issue, looking at key innovations throughout history as well as our prospects for the near and far future. Barriers […]
Learn to live with less
The hot bar at Whole Foods did not exist for most of human history. For the longest time, food was scarce and not particularly appetizing. Things changed when the global food system shifted to producing an overabundance of the good stuff. Problem is, evolution hasn’t caught up with the shift, and our brains are still […]
Sing us a song, you’re the banana man 🎤
The fruit trade is a dirty business. Take, for example, Sam Zemurray, known as the Banana Man, a Russian immigrant who became an influential figure in the American banana trade. This is the story of how he became one of the most powerful men in the world, overthrowing governments and contributing to the Guatemalan civil […]
Can marketing be evil?
Have you watched Pain Hustlers on Netflix? It’s based on the story of Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that played a big part in the U.S. opioid crisis. The company’s product was a fentanyl spray to treat severe pain that could have helped a small number of critically ill patients. Instead, it spread suffering among people who never […]
Jerry Seinfeld voice: “What’s the deal with Bitcoin?”
Stones. Beads. Feathers. Shells. Fur. Salt. No, we’re not assembling supplies for a weird craft project. These were different forms of currency used throughout history, before people settled on the forms of money we use today. The History of Money The global monetary system has lagged behind the large technological gains that we’ve enjoyed more […]
