Kickoff For August 2, 2021
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Monday Kickoff, a collection of what I’ve found interesting, informative, and insightful on the web over the last seven days.
Another month has rolled around, long before I think it should have. But who am I stand in the way of the march of time?
Let’s get this Monday started with these links:
Politics and Government
The Underground Movement Trying to Topple the North Korean Regime, wherein we learn about the origins and actions of Free Joseon, a group that started as an aid and assistance group for North Koreans but which morphed into a direct action organization.
The Death of Distance, wherein Samrat Choudhury looks at the history of border conflicts between India and China, and how current tensions in the Himalayas could result in war.
Beyond the Nation-State, wherein we learn that the concept of the nation state isn’t as venerable as we’ve been led to believe, and how that concept just might be damaging our ability to think creatively about how to tackle the pressing global challenges that transcend both borders and levels of governmental organization.
Business and Economics
Inside Pictet, the Secretive Swiss Bank for the World’s Richest People, wherein we get a glimpse into a firm that most people have never heard of and learn about its attempts to remain relevant and to thrive in a changing world.
Why Cryptocurrency Is A Giant Fraud, wherein Nathan J. Robinson explains why he believes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are a sham and how, after careful analysis, the case for their use by most people collapses utterly.
Why the next stage of capitalism is coming, wherein Matthew Wilburn King argues that capitalism is at an inflection point and must become more human-centric to evolve and survive.
Odds and Ends
The Origins of Japanese Curry, wherein we discover how a dish associated with India morphed in form to become a staple of Japan’s diet.
One Man’s Amazing Journey to the Center of the Bowling Ball, wherein we learn how a former drag racer and low-level professional bowler became one of the top bowling ball designers and how he influenced that profession.
Goodbye to the Future: The Last Days of Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower, wherein we learn about the origins of Japan’s first capsule building (that wasn’t a hotel) and it’s upcoming fate.
And that’s it for this Monday. Come back in seven days for another set of links to start off your week.