Articles
Broadening Our Horizons with Complexity
The Santa Fe Institute takes an interdisciplinary approach to research, and is a leader in complexity theory, which looks at the economy as an organic, ever-evolving ecosystem. How can I apply this theory to my own mental models
Why We Sold Softbank
To understand why we sold it, you need to understand why we bought it.We bought Softbank when it was an unknown company to US investors.
My Single Greatest Achievement
My son Jonah is taking a gap year after graduating high school and will spend the next two semesters in Israel. Before Jonah boarded the plane, we exchanged letters. What he wrote to me stands above anything else I have accomplished in my life. This is my single greatest achievement.
Personal Finance Advice That Changed My Life
Today I am going to write about a topic I have never written about before: personal finance. I am writing about this not so much for you, faithful reader, as for my kids.
Transgender Trees, Homelessness, and a Dare in San Francisco
I was on a trip to San Francisco with my kids. As I am flipping through the memory bank, I am shocked at how many experiences we packed into three days.
These Simple Tips Can Make You a Better Investor
The stock market is not your friend. Instead, the market awakens a dangerous emotion — fear. Fear is not your friend, either. Here are some simple tips that can make you a better investor.
Should You Invest in Marijuana Stocks?
What do you think about investing in marijuana stocks? We think making money on marijuana (cannabis with high content of intoxicating THC) and hemp (cannabis that contains low content of THC) will be very difficult.
Looking for Denny Crane at a Star Trek Convention
My daughter Hannah and I visited the Star Trek convention in Denver to meet William Shatner because of his role of Denny Crane.
Was the Uber IPO a Success?
The media often portrays a successful IPO as one that opens 30-100% above its set price and finishes the day up, however this is not beneficial to the company itself. We can look at the Uber IPO from a different perspective.
Here’s Why Pharmacy Stocks Are a Bargain Right Now
Why pharmacy stocks are a good investment right now? Let's take a look at two specific companies, McKesson and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
The Venture Capital market Bubble Is Putting Established Companies at Risk
Low interest rates have been in place for over a decade and while they have created a bubble in the venture capital market, they have also caused some companies to rely on the kindness of future capital markets and become "Ponzi-like" companies.
Idealist, I Am
My wife and I recently watched The Servant of the People. A history teacher is caught on video delivering a passionate rant about the sorry state of Ukrainian politics.
Is Value Investing Dead?
According to many market commentators, value investing doesn’t work the way it used to, and some tout statistics that growth has outperformed value over the last decade. Is value investing dead?
Letter to a Young Investor
To quote Mark Twain, don’t let schooling interfere with your learning. I recall that when I graduated from university, I was feeling invigorated by Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT).
Who Am I? (and my composers)
Someone recently asked whether I think of myself as Russian, or American. My initial response (without thinking) was – American. But as I gave this question more thought I realized that the answer is more complex.
Softbank Will Succeed Even If Its WeWork Investment Doesn’t Work Out
My firm is not as big a fan of WeWork as Softbank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, and we have doubts about WeWork's ability to make money. We have watched Son make investment decisions for Softbank, and we believe he has integrity, intelligence, and follows a deliberate process.
VALUEx Vail 2019
On June 12-14, my company, IMA, will host the eighth annual VALUEx Vail conference. I borrowed the idea for this conference from my friend Guy Spier after attending his conference in Zurich in 2011.
Why Stock Investors Shouldn’t Watch Business TV
Investors are prone to two opposing fears which can impair the ability to make rational decisions. To reduce this, it is advised to turn off business TV and focus on how news affects the value of a business. This will help filter out the noise and lead to more rational decisions.
Want to Be a Better Investor? Stop Staring at Your Portfolio
Investors often make irrational decisions due to fear of missing out or fear of loss. To reduce irrational decisions, investors should avoid constantly watching their portfolio.
Stock Investors: You Have Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
Stock investors must remain rational and guard against fear when approaching the stock market. Fear of missing out and fear of loss can lead to poor decisions which can result in buying high and selling low.
