One of the best ways to understand the twists and turns that are part of every stock market cycle is by reading (and re-reading) Ed Easterling's "Unexpected Returns — Understanding Secular Stock Market Cycles" (Cypress House, 2005).
It's one of the books I turn to again and again, often saying aloud, "By George, he's right!" If you don't have a copy, at this writing, there are still 26 left at amazon.com.
Goat getters II
Sometimes I listen to podcasts of NPR's "Fresh Air"whilst shaving; at other times, "Marketplace Money"gets the nod. Last week, I heard an episode of "Fresh Air"that had a fellow on who educated me about recycled computers and monitors. The equipment is mostly shipped overseas to Africa and China, where children and the disadvantaged tear the remnants into pieces to salvage bits of gold, silver and other minerals.
The health risks of dismantling electronics into bits are apparently great, and if the fumes don't ruin the workers' lungs or kill them, some other part of the process probably will.
