Ah, the sweet escape of the weekend is upon us— a perfect moment to unwind, reflect, and dive into thought-provoking insights that challenge our perspectives. Grab your favorite Danish Blend coffee (https://www.portorico.com/store/product75.html), find a cozy spot outdoors or in, and let's embark on this journey of curated, longer-form reads designed to spark your curiosity and fuel deeper conversations. But here's where it gets intriguing: these selections aren't just articles; they're windows into the quirks of our world, from corporate absurdities to philosophical quandaries, each begging us to question the status quo. Ready to uncover what most people overlook? Let's begin!
• The Age of the Symbolic Executive: In today's world, we're witnessing the rise of executives who prioritize image over substance. Picture this: 'Being skilled at actual tasks' takes a backseat to projecting the right aura. What truly 'matters' isn't defined by tangible results or measurable achievements, but by the unspoken vibes exchanged among managers who've spent their careers dodging real work. Our entire economy is steered by individuals disconnected from its daily grind, and tech giants are led by people far removed from the everyday issues their products claim to address. Modern leaders often have no duties beyond boosting shareholder profits, leaving us to wonder if this detachment is a strength or a dangerous flaw. (Where’s Your Ed At? (https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-era-of-the-business-idiot/) )
• Career Tips for Quantitative Analysts on the Buy Side: Alright, let's get real and dive in. If you're old enough to indulge and that's your thing, this might be a great time for a strong drink as we unpack some candid advice. (Consumed by fire (https://byfire.substack.com/p/2025-buy-side-quant-job-advice?r=2gv2&triedRedirect=true) )
• Celebrating the Iconic Air Jordans: Over four decades and forty different models, the Air Jordan saga unfolds with tales worth telling. Once strictly a basketball essential—worn by elite players on NBA courts, in gyms, or even on neighborhood blacktops, often slung around necks with laces knotted—these sneakers evolved dramatically. They transitioned into versatile lounge wear, blurring the lines between sport and style. And this is the part most people miss: how a single shoe line redefined cultural boundaries, sparking debates on fashion versus function. (New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6912023/2025/12/31/air-jordan-sneakers-nike-history/) )
• Mastering the Art of Selective Attention for 2026: In a world overwhelmed by a flood of mediocre content, honing your ability to tune out is your secret weapon for survival. Let's combat our natural urge to consume everything in sight—it requires deliberate effort, much like building any skill. For beginners, think of it as curating your mental diet: just as you'd skip junk food for healthier meals, learn to ignore distractions to focus on what's truly valuable. (Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/critical-ignoring-social-media-7e236f52?mod=hpfeatstpos3) )
• The Profound Mystery of Existence: Why is there something rather than nothing? This is arguably the universe's most astonishing reality—its very being, filled with everything we know. Yet, what explains this existence? Delving deeper, consider the brutal side of reality: everything consumes and gets consumed, destroys and is destroyed. It's our ethical imperative to resist this cycle, pushing back against the cosmos itself. But here's where it gets controversial: is this 'evil' interpretation just a philosophical lens, or does it reflect a harsh truth we must confront? (Starts With A Bang (https://startswithabang.substack.com/p/ask-ethan-why-does-something-exist) ) see also Reality is evil: Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe.(Aeon (https://aeon.co/essays/philosophers-must-reckon-with-the-meaning-of-thermodynamics) )
• A Hidden Edge in America's Fight Against Soaring Energy Costs: For most of the year, our power grid operates at just about half capacity. Could harnessing this underutilized potential help drive down electricity prices? Imagine data centers stepping in as unlikely heroes—exploring how excess grid space might transform affordability in an era of rising bills. (Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/12/25/electricity-grid-usage-data-centers/) )
• From Ally to Adversary: Marjorie Taylor Greene's Dramatic Shift Away from Trump. The Georgia congresswoman, once his staunchest supporter, has become his fiercest Republican detractor. What led to this transformation? And this is the part most people miss: drawing parallels to cult dynamics, where loyalty blinds us. Our research reveals key traits—what do you think defines a cult, and does this apply here? (New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/magazine/marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-maga-split.html) ) see also What makes something a cult? Here is what our data say . (Clearer Thinking (https://www.clearerthinking.org/post/what-makes-something-a-cult) )
• The Global Appeal of Japan: Part III of my exploration into Japan's economic landscape. (Noahpinion (https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-everyone-loves-japan) )
• The Victory of Clarity in Writing: English prose has grown far more readable over time, yet the key isn't just chopping sentences short. For those new to this, think of it as evolving from dense, convoluted texts to streamlined narratives that flow naturally, aiding comprehension without sacrificing depth. (Works in Progress (https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-logical-triumph-of-english/) ) see also The Lost Art of Research as Leisure: Where have the amateur researchers gone, and how do we bring them back? (Kasurian (https://kasurian.com/p/research-as-leisure) )
• The Unlikely Launch of Rob Reiner's Iconic Filmmaking Journey: Kicking off with an incredible run of seven films in just eight years, including his all-time favorite, 'The Princess Bride.' (Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/rob-reiner-dead-princess-bride-director-9b778d98) )
Don't forget to tune into our Masters in Business (https://ritholtz.com/category/podcast/mib/) podcast episode (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/masters-in-business/id730188152?mt=2) this weekend, featuring an interview with Stephanie Drescher (https://www.apollo.com/aboutus/leadership-and-people/stephanie-drescher), Apollo's Chief Client and Product Development Officer. She handles a wide array of responsibilities, from overseeing the global wealth management sector to portfolio strategy, new product innovation, and client-focused marketing. As a key player on the firm's executive board, she's been recognized by Barron’s every year since 2020 as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance—a testament to her impact in the field.
Equities beyond the United States have outshone domestic ones this year for the first time in a while, and it's not solely tied to currency fluctuations.
Source: @bobeunlimited (https://bsky.app/profile/bobeunlimited.bsky.social/post/3maglsgadq72a)
Subscribe to our exclusive reads-only newsletter here (https://mailchi.mp/005fb77d75b9/ritholtzreads).
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Curious about how we curate these daily reads? Check out this behind-the-scenes guide (https://ritholtz.com/2016/08/assemble-daily-reads-3-ez-steps/).
What do you think about the 'business idiot' phenomenon—is it a symptom of modern capitalism, or just a temporary blip? Do you agree that reality's 'evil' nature demands active resistance, or is that too pessimistic? And regarding Marjorie Taylor Greene's shift, does it feel like a personal awakening or political theater? Share your takes in the comments—we'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or fresh perspectives to keep the conversation alive!
