Friday morning news drop
The Fire Burning Beneath Crypto’s Meltdown The cryptocurrency implosion followed rampant creation of new digital money, something that never ended well in the traditional world. (Wall Street Journal)
Crypto’s frozen mystery: The fate of billions in Celsius deposits A disruptive company with a charismatic leader threw a lot of wealth into uncertainty — and vividly demonstrates the end of the crypto party. (Washington Post)
Six Things That Might Go Right Inflation Eases / Rates Stabilize; Growth Accelerates; Corporate Profits Hold Up Ok; Russia / Ukraine War Ends; Better Valuations, Better Future Returns; Investors Learn & Become Better Long-Term Investors (Validea)
How Susceptible Are You to Financial Bullshit? One of the biggest leading indicators of people’s tendency to be swayed by bad investment advice is in their susceptibility to put their faith in pseudo-profound financial jargon. A new academic study seeks to actively measure consumers’ ability to detect “financial bullshit”. Its findings are startling. (Evidence Based Investor)
The comedown: After stimulus boom, Americans face a darkening economy Pandemic-era aid ended as prices spiked — and now the middle class is feeling squeezed again. (Washington Post)
The US Can Halve Its Emissions by 2030—if It Wants To The economics are clear: Renewables are cheap enough for the country to rapidly decarbonize. Less evident is the political will to pull it off. (Wired)
As a heat wave grips the US, lessons from the hottest city in America Summer is becoming unbearable. Phoenix holds solutions on how to cope. (Grist)
Why Social Media Makes People Unhappy—And Simple Ways to Fix It Research suggests platform designs make us lose track of time spent on them and can heighten conflicts, and then we feel upset with ourselves. (Scientific American)
Former Federal Judge Warns of Danger to American Democracy: Retired Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig issued a dire warning to the country: 17 months after the riot on the U.S. Capitol, “Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy.” Luttig was appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush and had worked in both the Bush and Reagan administrations, and was a legal adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence. The United States is at a crossroads similar to the one the country faced during the Civil War, and he said America needs help. (NPR)
Visual Guide to the Aztec Pantheon Aztec codices and a whole world of deities, each taking care of some aspects of human life, illustrated to reveal the complexity of the Aztec Pantheon, make the academic research more accessible, and show how this civilization is still alive in our global culture. With luck, they will also help you see this society with the wonderment of your inner child’s eyes, just like I did all those years ago. (The Pudding)
Videos of the Week
Emil Johansson First Place Run at Crankworx Innsbruck 2022
Kevin Peraza - Con Todo: Vans BMX is proud to present the latest short film from team rider Kevin Peraza, Con Todo, directed by filmmaker and friend Juani Zurita. Meaning “giving it all” or “with everything,” the film explores Kevin’s roots, highlighting his high-energy riding at spots throughout Hermosilo, Sonora Mexico, as well as Arizona and California. This film brings together all of Kevin’s strengths – dirt, park, and street—into one cohesive film laying claim that Kevin is one of the world’s most all-rounded riders.
Lew Is Fiending: Lewis Mills shredding in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Goast, and California.
Hobie Doan Roll Up: Hobie's riding is a treat to watch.
CUT DOWN: 30 Years Of The Vans Half Cab
Lesque's Team Video A steady sampling of Tokyo dream spots with a squad who knows how to tackle the terrain.
Pusher Bearings "Outta Bounds" Video Ledges, hip-hop and plazas—Pusher’s international team of technicians knows the recipe. Kilian Zehnder, Nick Dias, Carlos Iqui and more bring the flow from South America to Spain.
After Skid Row: This film documents the journey of Barbie Carter (aka: Gangster Granni) as she comes to terms with her identity and navigates the road ahead after living on the streets of Skid Row for the past 10 years. The film illuminates the intimate humanity behind homelessness in an effort to replace judgement with empathy and demystify the homeless and housing crisis experienced across the US.