(Not) boring finds for February 2017

Each month we share a few of the interesting reads, views, and ideas that caught our attention. Some relate directly to investing; others resonate with us for different reasons. This month we thought about creativity in new ways, were reminded why the U.S. doesn’t make TV sets anymore, found some good tips from portfolio managers on how to avoid fake financial news, were edified by the evolution of consumerism, and our oxytocin levels were triggered by a study on the science of trust.

PBS Learning Media — How to be creative (Video: 8 minutes 53 seconds)

This video demystifies the mystique of the creative process. It breaks creativity down to key concepts that have more to do with mental models and methodology than sheer inspiration.

Quartz — The origin of your TV set is a simple lesson in the dangers of ignoring globalization

How a once robust American industry went from producing millions of units per year to zero by taking the rest of the world for granted.

CFA Institute — How to read financial news: tips from portfolio managers

In an era of “fake” news, here are some helpful techniques for separating the wheat from the chaff.

The Atlantic — How humans became ‘consumers’: a history

This comprehensive look at consumerism examines how and why we buy, and how our evolving relationship to material goods continues to shape the global economy.

Harvard Business Review — The neuroscience of trust

This article explores the effects of the brain chemical oxytocin in matters of trust. After 10 years of studying the brains of people while they worked, researchers identified 8 ways that leaders can effectively create and manage cultures of trust.