First Derivative [58]
first Derivative [58]
April 21, 2018
The Narrative Giveth and The Narrative Taketh Away by W. Ben Hunt, Ph.D. (Epsilon Theory)
A really interesting NLP analysis of the inflation narrative in the markets —TK
A Sidelined Wall Street Legend Bets on Bitcoin by Gary Shteyngart (NYer)
Another one of those New Yorker profiles I love—TK
Left Behind by Phil Klay (Atlantic)
“If the courage of young men and women in battle truly does depend on the nature and quality of our civic society, we should be very worried. We should expect to see a sickness spreading from our public life and into the hearts of the men and women who continue to risk their lives on behalf of a distracted nation.” A great piece from a former teacher—TK
Trade Wars Are Good And Easy To Win (The Macro Tourist)
Good explanation of Chinese economic growth past decade and it's effect on US markets and where we are now—TK
We Need Mandatory Enduser APIs for Social and Search Systems by Albert Wenger (Continuations)
A concrete and specific recommendation from VC Albert Wenger and more here—TK
The Max Bootification of the American Right by Michael Warren Davis (TAC)
“‘Modern’ conservatism is in fact not conservatism at all: it is a kind of libertarianism, albeit with an anti-progressive instinct.”
Dancing with Chains by Hollis Robbins (LARB Blog)
“Chinese students are asking better and more interesting questions than we are about academia and academic subjects… Systematic Chinese study of American literature is nearly 50 years old”
Friendship’s Dark Side: ‘We Need a Common Enemy’ by Natalie Angier (NYT)
Machine Learning’s ‘Amazing’ Ability to Predict Chaos by Natalie Wolchover (Quanta)
“Besides weather forecasting, experts say the machine-learning technique could help with monitoring cardiac arrhythmias for signs of impending heart attacks and monitoring neuronal firing patterns in the brain for signs of neuron spikes.” h/t to reader GJB —TK
‘They Eat Money’: How Mandela’s Political Heirs Grow Rich Off Corruption by Norimitsu Onishi and Selam Gebrekikdan (NYT)
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fD is a weekly newsletter focusing on signal insights and deep trends in ideas, technology, politics, economics, foreign affairs, culture, philosophy, and more. The goal is to deliver content and analyses that matter beyond the present moment.
I hope you enjoy. Questions and comments always welcome (just respond to this email)—TK
EPHEMERA
Saw 5 movies in the past two week and recommend Heat (1995) and Hustle & Flow (2005). Also reading Kissinger (25%) and just started The Evolution of Beauty