The Better Angels of Our Nature

Violence (defined as human on human violence per capita around the world) has been on the decline for decades and centuries, contrary to popular belief. The Better Angels of Our Nature explores this topic, first proving the premise to be true, then digging into possible causes for this decline.

Loonshots

Great innovations often come from small groups of people tinkering away at great personal risk. Once such great innovations are harnessed, however, the ability to continue to generate innovations seems to wither. In Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries, biotech executive Safi Bahcall discusses how organizations can maintain both the ability to strengthen it's existing businesses, while still driving innovations that will become its existing business in the future.

Birchcliff Energy With A Really Jerky Move

Birchcliff Energy held its annual meeting on May 16th, with shareholders set to vote on four items. But on the day of the meeting, only three of the four items were actually voted on, and the meeting was postponed by a week "in order to allow as many shareholders as possible to review and consider the Performance Warrant Resolution". In other words, the vote was not going management's way, so it gave itself time to drum up votes and get it over the hump.

Retail Disruptors

Every generation there seems to be a new type of grocery store that comes up with a new way to lower prices, in the process lighting the business models of the incumbents on fire. It doesn't feel like it was that long ago that it was Walmart that was the disruptor. But today it is playing defense against another set of disruptors: the so-called hard discounters. Retail Disruptors is about the spectacular rise and impact of these hard discounters that are taking the industry by storm.

The Retreat of Western Liberalism

Populist leaders seem to be gathering strength around the world, with none more famous than the one currently domiciled in the White House. What is going on? In The Retreat of Western Liberalism, journalist and speechwriter Edward Luce attempts to explain it.

Migrant Refugee Smuggler Savior

Smuggling humans across borders is big business. The harder governments make it to cross a given border, the more criminal elements become involved. After all, demand is still present. But the price, the danger, and the requirements all increase. Migrant, Refugee, Smuggler, Savior is all about this industry.

Karsan Value Funds: 2019 Q2 Results

Karsan Value Funds (KVF) is a value-oriented fund, as described here. Due to securities regulations, the fund is not open to the public at this time. Should that change in the future, there will be an announcement on this site.