Dennis Lynch on Global Portfolio Management (Podcast)

The Art of Learning takes readers through Josh Waitzkin’s unique journey to excellence in both chess and Tai Chi Chuan. The book explains how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning separates success from failure. Waitzkin discusses how achievement is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process. He shares his methods for systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs, honing techniques, and mastering performance psychology. The book also emphasizes the importance of embracing defeat, making mistakes work for you, and turning weaknesses into strengths. It is divided into sections that cover his rise in chess, his transition to Tai Chi, and the similarities in preparation and execution between the two disciplines.

In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science. He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot. Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments. He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success.

The Ethical Algorithm delves into the science of socially aware algorithm design, emphasizing the need to embed human values into machine code. It discusses challenges such as differential privacy and fairness, highlighting how algorithms can unintentionally perpetuate biases and how they can be designed to avoid these issues. The book offers a vision for a future where technology advances while protecting humans from unintended algorithmic impacts.

In this book, Joel Greenblatt provides a straightforward and accessible guide to value investing. He introduces a 'magic formula' that helps investors identify and purchase good businesses at below-average prices. The formula, explained using simple math and humor, has been extensively tested and proven to be effective in beating the market and professional managers. The book also explores why success often eludes individual and professional investors and why the formula remains viable even after widespread knowledge of it. Updated editions include data and analysis from the recent financial crisis and model performance through 2009.