Six Links Worthy of Your Attention #482

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another: 

• What game theory teaches us about war – Simon Sinek – TED. “I try not to include TED talks in my link suggestions. TED shares them well enough, and they aren’t really ‘diamonds in the rough.’ But I can’t not share this one, given the state of geopolitics. I’m fascinated with Game Theory, and this talk beautifully intertwines international diplomacy, game theory, and the last century of cold wars and proxy conflicts. So before you read another headline about the conflicts in the world, watch Simon Sinek. It’ll change how you think about the news.” (Alistair for Hugh).
• I tried using a school fundraiser to teach my daughter about economics; it got out of hand, and I have a meeting with the school Friday. Need advice. – Reddit. “Oh, reddit. You really are the best and worst thing on the Internet. It’s back-to-school time, which means fundraisers. And when one parent tried to explain math, critical thinking, and the economics of charity work to her daughter—and ultimately, the school—well, let’s just say it’s worth following this to see what happens. The deeper lesson is that when everyone’s a click away from reporting something, and anything can go viral in a few hours, we’re all treading on eggshells.” (Alistair for Mitch).
• The dirty secret of capitalism – and a new way forward – Nick Hanauer – TED. “Nick Hanauer, original investor in Amazon and lots of other start-ups – part of the fraction of the 1% that runs things – says that the economics is, basically, on the payroll of that 1% and is pretty much wrong about everything. Even better, he suggests a better way forward.” (Hugh for Alistair).
• Why Nothing Works Anymore – The Atlantic. “How automation is both hollowing out the work force, and making things crappier for the rest of us.” (Hugh for Mitch).
• Three Years of Misery Inside Google, the Happiest Company in Tech – Wired. “I’m not sure how I feel about the many articles that are emerging in this tech backlash. Is all of it founded? Some of it? Is a career in tech for everybody? Are there dark and crappy jobs in a multi-billion dollar company? I don’t know the answers to these questions. Here’s what I do know: as my company grew to multiple offices, and then from hundreds of employees into thousands of employees, even the strongest of cultures can be frayed and fragmented and destroyed. I love Google. I hope that stories like this are more personal than how the average employee feels. My guess is that Google is present and listening? What will they do about it?” (Mitch for Alistair).
• Hugh Howey – Winning at the Self-publishing Game – The Knowledge Project Episode #63 – Farnam Street. “I was talking to a fellow author this week about how much the book publishing industry has changed. We have moved from a world of major publishing houses and the advances to match, to a world where self-publishing is often the path to financial success. Who would have thunk? Here is a fascinating journey from a self-published author who has figured it out. That fellow author that I was speaking to this past week, recommended taking a listen because they’re not sure which path they will choose for their next book… and bring a notepad.” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on Twitter, Facebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.