In 2009 author Chimamanda Adichie coined the term “single story.” A native of Nigeria, Adichie first came to the U.S. to attend college. Almost immediately, she was struck by the one-dimensional lens through which many saw her. It started with her roommate. Knowing that Adichie had just arrived [...]
Five “strategies”
The tricky thing about investing is that there is no single “right” approach. A little while back, I talked about the “five minds” of the investor—the optimist, the pessimist, the analyst, the economist and the psychologist. But why these five? There are, in fact, many ways to be successful: You [...]
Bear Market Field Guide, Part I
Amid the stock market downturn this week, many people are asking two questions: “How bad will it get?” “How long will it last?” While no one can answer these questions, I do have an answer to a third question: “What should I do?” Below are seven observations and recommendations to consider [...]
Five “truths”
A few days ago, my family visited an amusement park, and almost everyone had fun. Almost everyone—except my nine-year-old, who is still complaining about the injustice of the rigged “Down the Clown” game. You’ve probably seen this sort of thing: You’re given a handful of baseballs. Then, standing [...]
Lottery Tickets
Tesla founder Elon Musk is, to me, the ultimate investment Rorschach test. To his supporters, Musk is a genius without equal. As one Wall Street analyst put it, “If Thomas Edison and Henry Ford made a baby, that baby would be called Elon Musk.” But to his detractors, Musk is an erratic individual, [...]
