This week’s highlights: 5 laws of human stupidity, the origin of the iPhone, and why investor relations matters.

Issue 242

A number of interesting reads this week – including the longer-read on the making of the iPhone.  Fifteen on Friday is taking a summer break next week, so we will see you all back on July 7th.

Food for Thought:

1. TheVerge – The Secret Origin Story of the iPhone – Credit MB – This month marks 10 years since Apple launched the first iPhone, a device that would fundamentally transform how we interact with technology, culture, and each other.
2. NYP – The epidemic that’s ruining youth sports.  Given the popularity of the last article about youth sports, here’s one more…When your 15-year old has to have Tommy John surgery – maybe he’s playing too much?
3. NYT – Why I Am Giving My Children Their Inheritance Now
4. WFAA – ‘I did my best, and I’m sorry’; Father’s Day thoughts from the ballpark.  A great reflection on Father’s day by a friend.
5. Thrillist – The 21 Unwritten Rules of Flying You’re Probably Breaking – Credit DH –

Business/Economics:

1. WSJ – Stock Picking Is Dying Because There Are No More Stocks to Pick
2. Stratechery – Amazon’s New Customer.  Why the Whole Foods deal makes sense.  Amazon’s entire business model is about entering new markets where it’s first and best customer is always itself.  This allows it to build service business that it can open to third parties – think AWS, Amazon fulfillment.
3. CFO – The Link Between Good Investor Relations and Stock Price – Credit BK – Half of public-company CEOs and CFOs are significantly less well-off financially than they should be. Do you know which half you’re in?
4. TBI – Bubble Watch.  Is there a reasonable bull case for equities from here?
5. LS – Avocado Toast Is Ruining This Country – Credit SF – There’s Actually a Fun Economic Truth Revealed in the Furor

Culture/Tech/Science:

1. QZ – The five universal laws of human stupidity
2. BS – The Paradox of Helping: Endorsing for Others What We Oppose for Ourselves
3. Engadget – Subway hopes touchscreens will bust up its sales slump.  Yeah, because that was the problem.
4. FNT – Google Maps stumbles upon Millennium Falcon structure, delights fans.  What is a full sized model of the Millennium Falcon doing in an English Parking lot?
5. ESPN – The world without Messi: We won’t get to enjoy the iconic No. 10 much longer.  Lionel Messi might not be medicine, but he can feel like it. Watching Messi with a ball at his feet is a testament to the rest of our possibilities.