A Cree Indian prophecy, remembered by a man thinking about the effects of the BP oil spill:

Only after the last tree has been cut down… Only after the last river has been poisoned… Only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.

@CNN iReport Blog

The Zurich Axioms is a book written by Max Gunther. In the context of speculation, it maps out the risks of chaos and the risks of human behaviors and tendencies, and it provides a framework for managing these risks to capitalize on positive luck. Read the rest of this entry »

Three quotes on money that seem well aligned. Read the rest of this entry »

The law of money & complexity: an artist needs 20 followers to survive, a writer 20,000, a newspaper 300,000; a tv station, a million. @alaindebotton

Tom Hodgkinson from The School of Life writes about evils of usury. But I’m not buying many of his arguments. Read the rest of this entry »

Taking time out to put your personal finances in gear can reap both immediate and long-term benefits, from cashing gift cards to reallocating investments. This checklist can help you formulate a strategy, providing tips, the time needed to achieve them, and links to additional resources. @31 Steps to a Financial Tuneup – Interactive Feature – NYTimes.com

Poor Charlie’s Almanack is deceiving. It looks like a coffee table book but actually turns out to be a pretty dense read, worth careful attention if you are interested in money, business and getting smarter. These notes are a good primer on what the book covers [PDF]. @Business Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger | HENSEY ASSOCIATES

In making decisions, your own mind may be your worst enemy. Here’s how to catch thinking traps before they become judgment disasters [PDF]. @The Hidden Traps in Decision Making | Harvard Business Review

The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar men. It could cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a despair not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years to come. @The Atlantic Online | March 2010 | How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America | Don Peck