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David has been writing and publishing since 2006.  

Issue 357 – 12/13/19

Dec 13, 2019 | Fifteen on Friday

This week’s highlights: Colon Cancer, Home Delivery, and Big Calculator

green christmas tree with string lights

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

Issue 357

by David Wells – Nashville TN

Food for Thought / In Memoriam:

Tennessean – I discovered colon cancer too late, but I want to make sure you don’t  and / or Vanderbilt Health Interview with Melissa Waddey

Last week, Nashville lost one of its best with the far too early passing of Melissa “Isse” Waddey after her fight against colon cancer.  Isse was a a tremendous business executive, devoted wife and mother, and an inspiration.  In her honor, I wanted to share the message she so powerfully advocated for in encouraging others to be screened for colon cancer.

Consider as well:  

  1. GQ – Chaos at the Top of the World  It was one of the most arresting viral photos of the year: a horde of climbers clogged atop Mount Everest. But it only begins to capture the deadly realities of what transpired that day at 29,000 feet. These are the untold accounts of the people who were there.
  2. NYT – The Politics of Exhaustion.  Generally, I try to avoid politics in Fifteen on Friday, but this seemed to aptly summarize much of the current state of global politics.
  3. Forge – The 2-Word Trick That Makes Small Talk Interesting
  4. NYT – Many Renters Who Face Eviction Owe Less Than $600

Business/Economics:

Top Read of the Week: Guardian – How our home delivery habit reshaped the world

Why It Matters:  “The great trick of online retail has been to get us to shop more and think less about how our purchases reach our homes”

Consider as well:

  1. NewYorker – Big Tech’s Big Defector  Roger McNamee made a fortune as one of Silicon Valley’s earliest champions. Now he’s one of its most fervent critics.
  2. Forbes – Meet Wall Street’s Best Dealmaker: Orlando Bravo
  3. MacroOps – Lessons From 24 Years of Operating: Bowl America, Inc.– Credit BB – “What if I told you one of the best public owner-operators ran a bowling business? And what if I told you this same owner-operator never experienced an operating loss in 55 years?
  4. NYT – China’s Companies Binged on Debt. Now They Can’t Pay the Bill.

Culture/Tech/Science:

Top Read of the Week:  Gen – Big Calculator: How Texas Instruments Monopolized Math Class

Why It Matters:  These $100 calculators have been required in classrooms for more than 20 years, as students and teachers still struggle to afford them

Consider as well:

  1. Wired – Best Buy Bucks the Trend That’s Crushing Other Retailers
  2. TUD – How did ‘Sister Act 2’ become a classic musical?
  3. Star Wars – The Evolution of the Stormtrooper
  4. NewYorker – Ralph Lauren’s American Dreams

Topics

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