The Monday Read

Feeling Human edition

Well, it might be the fact that today was glorious (somewhat sunny, cool breeze, low humidity) or because I started getting up earlier in the morning, but I’m feeling pretty good. Better than I have during the last few months, anyway. Feel like my brain is firing better.

I might even manage to write a blog post that isn’t The Monday Read one of these days 😉

In other news I’m thinking of making a website to share resources to help teachers introduce personal finance topics and concepts to EFL students.

Do you think this would be best done on the RetireJapan site, my blog sendaiben.org, or a new website?

This week’s links

1. This is weak sauce, and in no way solves the problem or makes up for this policy: Japan to dial back entry restrictions on some foreign residents
2. This is good, and I wish I’d read it ten years ago. I might have had a better experience at my university: The Best Career Advice I’ve Ever Gotten
3. Control of your time is the ultimate wealth: Michael Jordan once turned down $100 million just for two hours of his time
4. Too much of a good thing: Good Things Taken Too Far
5. I loved this video. Saw it last week, and it’s blown up in the meantime: Uncle Roger DISGUSTED by this Egg Fried Rice Video (BBC Food)
6. Stunning photos of deepsea creatures: Underwater Photography & Ocean Exploration
7. I don’t think ‘ghost house’ is the right term for akiya. They are just fishing for clicks methinks: ‘Ghost Houses’ Haunt a Rapidly Aging Japan
8. Signed: Face the Climate Emergency
9. This is a worrying eventuality: Editorial: Japan’s aging apartment complexes need gov’t intervention
10. I really enjoy this guy’s newsletter: Real Marketing
11. I like broccoli, so this example doesn’t quite work for me, but it’s a valid point: Eating Broccoli and The Small Business Revolution
12. Free Japanese language textbooks (for beginners). They look pretty good: Irodori
13. I’m a fan of both Dune and Taiwan: Taiwan is now Arrakis
14. A good heuristic: 30 Year Thinking
15. I live this: I’m actually a pretty bad investor. I’m lazy, uninformed, make mistakes, but it doesn’t matter because I have my spending under control and save a lot. Literally can’t lose: You Don’t Need Alpha
16. I’m not surprised, but I am disgusted. How much of the money did these parasites siphon off? Gov’t under fire over huge COVID-19 aid contract for ad giant Dentsu
17. Another wonderful video. The subtitles are really well done: How to Make Ceviche

Not a bad haul this week. Anything good in there? I enjoyed the videos, and #2 was thought-provoking.

This week’s books

I have two new books this week, both by Derek Sivers. I got them because I am on his mailing list -it seems they are not generally available yet. We’ll be doing a giveaway with one of these later in the year 🙂

I’m a huge fan of Derek’s, and his book Anything You Want is wonderful. Very much recommend it. He’s also done a few amusing/thought-provoking TED Talks.