Recommended Reading

These are some of the new sources that I regularly get my information from. Although I do fish around, these are the websites that are pinned to my browser and open automatically every time that I go online. I’ve categorized them and really recommend adding them to your weekly reading. All information has a purpose that can be used for something that is not explicitly evident at the time.

(Imagine “borrowed” from The Economist for a non-commercial purpose. What can I say, I love it)

Politics and Business:

The Economist: A British publication that also hosts many informed bloggers. Generally my personal go to news source. Articles are well written and factual and usually include articles on all the major issues, even ones that won’t make it onto broadcast media for months. An uniformed reader may have a little trouble digesting the terms and the presumption that certain facts are known. Also be aware that the magazine has a general liberal bias (some of the writers are conservative and therefore their particular article has a conservative bias) or favors certain positions. (Note: The daily charts are always interesting and on the front page).

Foreign Policy: A American publication. Their photo journals are usually great along with their “Flash Points” bar. They usually report on the same issues as The Economist and provide a good alternate point of view. They also have incredible exclusives that don’t contain much current event information, but do provide an incredible incite into the background on certain events.

McKinsey Quarterly: My favorite publication. They generally publish articles and full studies on macro level economic events. A great read to understand larger global trends especially since the news that you find here is researched by McKinsey’s own teams, not a primary news agency like Reuters or the Associated Press that everyone else uses. Their executive surveys are also great for understanding the opinions of many people who make decisions that effect your life. My only warning is that this is advanced and time consuming reading. Reports can be very large and complex so expect to devote nearly an hour to each (although you’ll be an incredibly informed reader by the end). The language can also require serious googleing or investopedia if you don’t have the background. Even as a business school student I sometimes find terms that I must look up. Also the site is not updated as regularly as a news agency.

New York Times: A pretty comprehensive news source, but lacks the analytical side that The Economist and FP present. It can give you a pretty good general broad global picture and has articles on nearly every topic imaginable. I also enjoy the local NY pieces since that is around where I live. Although when it comes down to it take this into consideration: The NYT is one of the most read news sources by most people seeking information. So if your goal is to know what everyone else does then great. If you want to go deeper into issues (say your are debating with previously mentioned people) a skim of the NYT and a full reading of the economist is a better bet. It’s the same reason that I don’t include the Wall Street Journal on here. Everyone has (or will) read it and the more in depth news sources presume that you already know the basics.

Reuters (Owned by Thomson Reuters): Reuters and the Associated Press are the only two remaining real news agencies that go out into the field with thousands of journalists and reports. While businessmen know Reuters for their Financial reporting (In my opinion Eikon > Bloomberg Terminal) and Lawyers for WestLaw Next they also do a great job of reporting. As a new agency there is much less, although some, analysis, instead the information is incredibly timely and accurate without bias.

Bloomberg: Similar to Reuters but heavily financially focused. Very worth the reading if you are interested in finance. Bloomberg will certainly give you an edge over people who only read the WSJ.

Forbes: Another great business and politics site. More American focused the FP or the Economist. I highly advise against pinning this as a tab, as the automatic video that starts is incredible annoying.

Technology and Innovation:

TED Talks (Technology, Entertain, Design): A non-profit (501(c)3) that is dedicated to spreading ideas. They hosting interesting videos that air on the side of 5-20 minutes. Very thought provoking and interesting, although not that many of the ideas are at the applied stage. TED can give you a bit of a vision of what ten years down the road should look like and some of the problems that will disappear along with some of the problems that the solutions will create.  Thought proving and worth your 20 minutes, especially if you are an engineer or venture capital.

Daily Tech: A very thorough technology website that has recently grown to include the interface between science and politics. A great way to stay a year or two ahead of the mainstream media in one’s understanding of technology coming online and developing global technology issues. (Note: The quotes at the bottom of the page are usually very funny)

Thought Provoking:

What Matters (By Mckinsey & Co): A collection of academic essays by celebrities, academics and influential people in the fields. Worth reading, although expect about 50% of the celebrity essays to be political spin.