Venezuela, the Future of Money, and Spyware for Teens

Weekend Reads: February 1, 2019

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A Netflix for Video Games? Why a Longtime Dream Is Closer Than Ever to Coming True.

Brian Fung | The Washington Post | Retweeted by Brent Skorup

Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have completely changed the way consumers watch TV shows and movies. Thanks to new technological innovations, this could now be possible for video games.

Yes, Venezuela Is a Socialist Catastrophe

Bret Stephens | The New York Times | Tweeted by Matthew Mitchell

In recent coverage of Venezuela, the word “socialism” has been left out. In the age of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a history lesson on Venezuela’s tumultuous government is needed.

The History of Money and the Future of Cryptocurrency

Brian C. Albrecht | American Institute for Economic Research | Retweeted by David Beckworth

To fully understand the role of cryptocurrency and its path to viability, the history of money and government’s role in monetary policy must be rehashed.

5 Psychological Studies That Require a Second Look

Todd P. Kashdan Ph.D. | Psychology Today | Retweeted by Alex Tabarrok

After ten years of research, this psychologist looks back on five of his published studies that may have something wrong with them.

I Cut Google Out Of My Life. It Screwed Up Everything

Kashmir Hill | Gizmodo | Shared by Tyler Cowen

A reporter tried to stop using Google in an effort to cut out the five biggest tech giants from her life, but it’s difficult to cut out a company that is unknowingly running in the background of our lives.

Facebook Pays Teens to Install VPN That Spies on Them

Josh Constine | TechCrunch | Retweeted by Brian Knight

Facebook sought out users (including teenagers) to give up their data, including private messages and location data, for $20 a month. Apple revoked their ability to do this because it violated their policies.

Buffalo Becomes First City to Bid Minimum Parking Goodbye

Douglas Irwin | CityLab | Tweeted by Emily Hamilton

Recently, Buffalo residents have noticed fewer parking spaces downtown. Two years ago, they became the first city to overhaul archaic zoning regulations to allow for more development.

Meet the Man Behind a Third of What's on Wikipedia

Errol Barnett | CBS News | Retweeted by Tyler Cowen

Named one of the most influential people on the internet by Time Magazine, Steven Pruitt has made almost 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles all for the love of history and the free flow of information.

Reddit’s r/changemyview Is a Template for How All Online Discussion Should Be

Bryan Clark | The Next Web | Retweeted by Jennifer Huddleston-Skees

Encouraging healthy debate and discussion, this subreddit facilitates a healthy exchange of ideas and helps people change their viewpoints.