#3 Aurum Finds
Leadership, NBA Brands, Knowledge, The Value of Time, Gangs
“If you are going through hell, keep going” -Winton Churchhill
Hey Finders! In this issue, we bring you articles on; the role solitude has to play in leadership, a new form of branding in the NBA, the use of economic knowledge in society, the value of time when compared with money, and the reason why children join gangs and how to solve that.
If you have a specific article request, please drop a comment!
Enjoy!
Solitude and Leadership
William Deresiewicz crafts a persuasive, thoughtful essay in which he highlights the critical link between solitude and leadership, arguing that constant connectivity and conformity hinder independent thought. Deresiewicz calls for solitude through introspection, focused work, sustained reading of classic literature, and deep conversations for forming personal beliefs. This self-understanding, the author argues, equips leaders to tackle ethical dilemmas. In spite of the way you might think of “leaders” going in, there’s a lot more to consider, and solitude is a key part of a leader’s journey. As a bonus, you can listen to the article read by the author.
The Naked Brands: The Future of the NBA
This piece focuses on The NBA's evolution over the years from its struggling years in the late 70s and early 80s. With the rise of star players, the arrival of ESPN, and the expansion of cable television, the NBA has grown into a global spectacle. Alongside its growth, an unexpected relationship with fashion has emerged, leading to a unique and vibrant expression of players' personalities on and off the court.
"Naked Brands" are personified by individual players who utilize their influence to build direct relationships with fans, bypassing traditional media. Social media has been a key enabler of this transformation, allowing athletes to showcase their off-court personas and activities. If you’re a fan of LeBron James, you’ll want to read this one (if you’re not, you’ll still find a lot of interest in this well-written piece).
The Use of Knowledge in Society
Eli Dourado invokes Friedrich Hayek’s seminal "The Use of Knowledge in Society", and discusses the article in the context of the modern world. He explores Hayek's critical viewpoint on central planning, emphasizing the importance of local and dispersed knowledge in economic decision-making, and the inherent inability of a central planner to possess and process this vast array of information. Dourado further discusses Hayek's concept of “spontaneous order” driven by the price system, which allows society to adapt and respond to constant changes. The discussion urges readers to reconsider the role of central planning and appreciate the complexity and adaptability of decentralized economic systems.
Time > Money
No matter how much money you have, you get the same number of hours in a day as everyone else. Time is not only important; it’s more important than money, and the author makes several clear suggestions as to how not to waste other peoples’ time when leading a meeting (or when attending).
The Answer is Better Gangs
The article opens with an introduction to three gang members that we get to know a little, and then delve straight into the intricate and complex structure of gangs, likening them to corporations and brands in the drug trade, with intricate hierarchical systems, alliances, and competition for territory and resources. It suggests that the essence of a gang's allure lies in its social structure, which provides a sense of protection, identity, and belonging to vulnerable young men. The article argues for interventions that offer similar social structures but with positive outlets, rather than attempting to dismantle or criminalize these groups outright, which historically has proven ineffective and only exacerbated the problem.
If you’re new, Welcome!!!
Welcome to Aurum Finds, your exclusive gateway to the enriching world of interesting articles on every topic; from Christianity to Rocketry, curated by Edem Gold and commented on by Andrew Smith. Like seekers of the ancient 'aurum', we set out on the quest to my golden nuggets of information from the limitless expanses of the Internet. Aurum is Latin for Gold, and this is a collaborative effort born out of the complementary skills and interests of Edem and Andrew.
Edem Gold, a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge, constantly scours the web for articles that inform, provoke, inspire, and challenge. He is the compass that navigates the vast seas of information and zeroes in on pieces worth your time and attention.
Andrew’s role, on the other hand, is to provide commentary, adding another layer of perspective and understanding to the articles Edem identifies. It was an invitation from Edem that led Andrew to join this venture, contributing his thoughts and reflections on these nuggets of information.
Our hope is to bring to you, through Aurum Finds, a curated and thoughtful selection of articles across a broad spectrum of subjects, complemented by commentary that deepens your understanding and incites conversation. We invite you to join us on this enriching journey of discovery, as we delve into the corners of the Internet and mine the 'aurum' hidden within. Welcome, and happy reading!
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Everyone: what do you think? What did you want more of, what would you like to be different? We are listening!