Curated LetterN°23

May&June 2023 Edition

A curated monthly edit of ideas, style, and substance

—because confidence Matters

My Dear Friends,

I trust the season finds you well—perhaps enjoying the tail end of spring with a book in one hand and a well-shaken opinion in the other.
This month’s Letter is your usual mix of cultural substance and stylish irrelevance: books worth discussing, names worth noting, and the sort of insight that turns small talk into something rather more satisfying. Nothing exhaustive—just what you’d expect to keep things sharp, social, and slightly ahead.

Confidence matters for decision-making, and being informed is key to confidence, not just a social currency.

Looking forward to joining again next month.

–Yours, Harper–

Bookology

Books worth reading—and possibly name-dropping—over dinner. No overthinking, just well-placed insight and a spine you’ll actually crack.

Noise

A flaw in human judgement
Austhor: Daniel Kahneman; Oliver Sibony; Cass Sunstein
Published: William Collins; 2022

Within the pages of “Noise,” Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein delve into the detrimental effects of noise across various domains. This pervasive issue leads to errors in critical fields such as medicine, law, public health, economic forecasting, forensic science, child protection, creative strategy, performance evaluation, and hiring processes. Despite its ubiquitous presence in decision-making settings, both individuals and organizations often overlook the profound impact of noise, resulting in significant consequences and losses. By shedding light on this overlooked factor, the authors illuminate the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to mitigate the disruptive influence of noise.

21st-Century Monetary Policy

Author: Ben Bernanke
Published: Norton & Company; 2022

Amidst the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve and central banks worldwide have implemented unconventional measures. These include large-scale securities purchases and the adoption of a new policy framework, leaving many investors, journalists, and citizens perplexed. “Twenty-First Century Monetary Policy” serves as a guidebook, unravelling the complexities of these strategies. Through its exploration of economic theories, historical contexts, and political influences, the book sheds light on the evolution of the Federal Reserve’s policies. By demystifying these intricate aspects, readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping monetary policies in the modern era.

Clytemnestra

Author: Constanza Casati
Published: Source Books Landmark; Mai 2023

Step into the world of Ancient Greece and witness the captivating transformation of Clytemnestra, the infamous queen of legends. Delve into a thrilling narrative of power, prophecies, hatred, and love as you uncover the riveting story behind this formidable woman. Experience the unforgettable journey of a queen who fearlessly dispensed justice to those who crossed her path. Brace yourself for an enthralling tale that weaves together the elements of history, mythology, and human emotions.

The only woman in the room

Author: Marie Benedict
Published: Source Books Landmark; 2019

Witness the compelling journey of “The Only Woman in the Room” as it chronicles the extraordinary true story of a captivating figure who thrived as both a glamour icon and a scientist. This remarkable individual pioneered the very technology we rely on today, shaping WLAN and Bluetooth. Surprisingly, her beauty proved pivotal in navigating the rise of the Nazi party and her marriage to an Austrian arms dealer. Despite being underestimated due to her appearance, she defied expectations, gaining profound insights into the Third Reich’s plans by her husband’s side. Eventually, she orchestrated a daring escape in disguise from their castle, embarking on an unforeseen Hollywood odyssey. Hedwig Mandl, known as Hedy Kiesler, metamorphosed into Hedy Lamarr, an illustrious screen star.

Podtails

For when silence isn’t golden but dead boring—these are the voices worth letting in while you ignore your inbox.

Money with Katie Show

Personal Finance

Irrespective of age, women from all generations can benefit from Katie Tassin’s valuable tips. She addresses vital subjects such as spending habits, intelligent investing, tax strategy, and more. Katie Tassin provides practical advice while delving into the societal challenges that impede progress. Notably, she ensures that tactical tips are plentiful and not overlooked.

Subscribe where ever you get Your podcasts

The Fairer Cents

Personal Finance

The podcast takes a deep dive into intricate financial matters, aiming to address the often neglected topics that traditional financial media fails to cover. It boldly tackles issues like the wage gap, shedding light on the complex dynamics that intertwine money and relationships. By exploring these themes, the podcast offers a fresh perspective on the multifaceted aspects of personal finance and challenges conventional narratives.

Subscribe where ever you get Your podcasts

Encyclopaedia Womannica

Inspirational

Encyclopaedia Wommanica delivers captivating 5-minute biographies of remarkable women from history, aiming to motivate and inspire listeners through real-life examples. Undoubtedly, there is no better way to ignite a sense of motivation than by immersing oneself in these inspiring stories. With each episode, the podcast unlocks the achievements and struggles of extraordinary women, leaving an indelible impact on the audience.

Subscribe where ever you get Your podcasts

The Pinwall

Bits, bobs, headlines, and scandal—just the sort of things we whisper about over a limonchello-spritz, then quote with conviction the next day.

Keep your tentacles off

n a recent discovery, scientists have found that octopuses, besides humans, are the only species known to throw dirt at unwanted suitors intentionally. This intriguing fact emphasizes that we are not alone in our ability to combat sexual harassment. Female octopuses in Australia have developed a unique tactic of throwing clumps of shells and sand at their male “suitors,” proving their resourcefulness.

Extensions

The human hair industry thrives on the ever-growing desire for eternal youth, making it an immensely lucrative business. One popular solution to combat thinning hair is the use of hair extensions, which contribute to the industry’s rapid expansion. Curious about the source of this hair? Look no further. India and China serve as the primary suppliers. While some hair comes from temples where it is ceremonially “sacrificed,” other sources include drains, floors, combs, and hairbrushes where hair is “fished” out. The painstaking process involves sorting and treating the “fallen” hair with various chemicals and silicon coatings. Shockingly, it is sometimes mixed with animal hair to maximize availability. Yuck!

The most expensive house ever

Originally hailed as the world’s most expensive house, “The One” had a staggering valuation of $500 million. However, it eventually went up for auction. The only other house in a comparable price range to be auctioned was the Villa Ludovisi (Casino dell’Aurora) in Rome. Surprisingly, the Bel-Air mansion was ultimately sold for a significantly lower price of $141 million during a bankruptcy auction. On the other hand, the Roman “Villa” housing the renowned Caravaggio painting is still awaiting a buyer. Perhaps the asking price is deterring potential buyers from making a move.

Leap Forward

Groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment have enabled individuals with untreatable cancers to undergo a transformative immune system redesign, empowering it to target their own tumours. The immune system is bolstered through T-cell transfer therapy to enhance its ability to combat cancer. The process involves collecting the patient’s immune cells, cultivating them in the laboratory to generate a substantial quantity, and reintroducing them into the patient’s bloodstream using a needle. This groundbreaking approach, known as adoptive immunotherapy or immune cell therapy, capitalizes on the lymphocytes’ capacity to recognize tumour cells in or near the affected area. By amplifying the lymphocyte population that exhibits the strongest response to the tumour, this therapy overcomes barriers such as tumour suppression signals and insufficient lymphocyte presence, ultimately strengthening the immune system’s capacity to eradicate the tumour.

Decision Coach

When faced with overwhelming uncertainty, you might turn to Google and search for “How to make a hard decision.” In your quest, you may stumble upon various self-proclaimed “decision coaches” who boast about their ability to liberate you from indecision in just a single session. These coaches claim expertise in assisting with life-altering choices such as marriage, divorce, graduate school, career transitions, starting a business, retirement, relocation, or even the simple task of selecting a name for your baby. My question: do you think we have lost it now completely?

Goblin Mode

In 2022, Oxford University Press nominated “Goblin Mode” as the word of the year. Curious about its meaning? It signifies an intense urge to climb onto a table, tear off your clothes, and let out a shriek. It involves acting solely on impulse without considering the impact on others or their well-being. Personal growth and empathy take a back seat as you indulge in this temporary state of abandonment. Goblin moments are a shared experience, although their duration varies. Emphasizing the journey rather than a specific destination, goblin mode lacks a defined endpoint. So, while it’s still a hot topic, discussing it can make you appear incredibly astute or even prompt you to embark on your own goblin moment!

Abandoned Cities

Once-thriving spots, these villages, towns, and cities have now become deserted, forsaken by human presence. With the passage of time, nature has taken over their vacant buildings, streets, and even cars. Whether ravaged by war, evacuated for military training purposes, or abandoned due to the depletion of nearby valuable resources, these places bear witness to their tumultuous histories. Embark on a journey to explore the most captivating abandoned towns and cities worldwide, where stories of the past intertwine with the resilience of nature’s reclamation.

June Supplement

“Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?”

Brenee Brown; US Professor for Socialwork, researcher; 1965