Longform links: disruption and scale

May 7, 2026

Thursdays are all about longform links on Abnormal Returns . Wherever possible, free links for premium sites are used. You can check out last week’s linkfest including a look at how the Covid pandemic wrecked American happiness.

Quote of the Day

"The entire culture of American technology is built around two terms: disruption and, of course, scale. But ethics are constraints on disruption and scale."

Outside the Box

An excerpt from David Epstein's new book "Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better." (theatlantic.com)

Five insights from David Epstein's "Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better." (nextbigideaclub.com)

Derek Thompson talks with David Epstein, author of "Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better." (podcasts.apple.com)

An excerpt from David Epstein's new book "Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better." (derekthompson.org)

Books

An excerpt from "Gerontocracy in America: How the Old Are Hoarding Power and Wealth—and…