Interesting points: (1) Beer-before-bread evidence from archaeology. (2) In vino, veritas. (3) Stress reduction (individual). (4) Societal/group bonding. Classic explanations for alcohol use is evolutionary “hangover” or “hijack”. Hangover implies there is an evolutionary advantage to the use but taken to the extreme in modern times. Hijack implies the practice triggers the evolutionary feedback mechanism… Read More: Drunk — Edward Slingerland »
I picked up this book thematically to understand Bitcoin and money in general. Thought the book would help me understand the question “what is money, actually?”. The book’s focus is actually focused on the 2008 “Great Recession”. Sumner’s argument is that the recession was not primarily due to the bubble-crash of the sub-prime mortgage market.… Read More: The Money Illusion — Scott Sumner »
The promise of the book is that it explains why so many physicists (and mathematicians) are employed by Wall Street investment firms. It delivers on the promise, but the answer is disappointing — they are good at math, especially statistics. The history about “quants” is described. Covers: Louis Bachelier: A mathematician who applied the concept… Read More: The Physics of Wall Street — James Owen Weatherall »
Found in my Mother’s paperwork… A folder containing the receipts and other paperwork for the family cemetery plots purchased by Sam Yacovitch. On the folder was a list of who was buried in each plot.
It’s been one week since I received my new iPad Pro. (It is a replacement for my 3rd Generation iPad pre-ordered in spring 2012. Apple stopped updating IOS in 2016). Initial impressions after one week of usage.
Graeber is an anthropologist laying out an anthropological history of the economy and money. He outlines several themes though the book, touching on the interactions between credit/debt, slavery, violence, etc.
Up early again this morning. Today’s weird thoughts. I don’t think it’s “brain fog” from the 2nd vaccine shot 😉
This book was recommended by Tyler Cowen (Marginal Revolution) as one of the best books of the year. The book is a history of money in China over the past 1100 years. Silver (not gold) was the underlying preference of the rulers and ruled in China. Paper money was used earlier than elsewhere in the… Read More: Empire of Silver — Jin Xu »
A collection of stories and interviews about the making of video games. Primarily based on visits and interviews with the companies and developers of the games. Covers 10 games, including Diablo III, Halo Wars, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Witcher 3. Games made by some of the biggest names in gaming: Blizzard, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Bioware. I’ve… Read More: Blood, Sweat, and Pixels — Jason Schreier »
A book written to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic… Picked it up because is looked interesting, but I was not expecting much. But I found it a very informative and useful read. Starts with an overview of the history of vaccination. For small pox, references “variolation” and the cow pox story that everyone describes.… Read More: How to Make a Vaccine — John Rhodes »