Saturday Brunch

Since it's a holiday weekend, I thought I would put together an extra long list of reading material this week. I don't want to overload you though, so I'll break them up over today and Sunday. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

• The Best Data Visualization Projects of 2011 - I've become really interested in the way data is presented and worked. There is a concept in startup world called Big Data - managing and mining huge datasets - that is making these types of visualizations possible. I think it's the next phase of the web which is heavy on text, video and sound (music) right now. Data visualizations are the next step.
• Wilco in Chicago at the Civic Opera House - incredible setlist and performance streaming from from one of my favorite bands. 
• Year End Position Updates - from one of my favorite investing blogs. He's heavy on natural resources and gold, which are big investing themes for me too, so I like to read his opinion.
• Elephants and Human Evolution - fascinating. I guess it's a case of "whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
• Amazon's 7 Year View - I've heard great stories from friends on Amazon's approach to new markets. The mantra, "you aren't losing enough money" is controversial, but it's proven effective.
• One Acre Fund's Semi-Annual Report - one of the best social impact ventures in the world, started by a Kellogg 06' grad. Many of my friends are on the advisory board. I was blown away by their report. It's detailed, quantitative and proves the money is spent very well. I hope to emulate this with Ben's Friends in 2012.
• How Fab Raised $40M - another highly quantitative approach to raising money, this time venture capital. This is the playbook for raising money.
• One Week in Japan - always beautiful photography from Mike Matas. Alex Bain turned me onto him. I believe he was an early designer on the ipod and iphone.
• The Battle for Control - a wonderful post by Kati of Living With Ataxia, a Ben's Friends network, on her battle to slow down ataxia and remain self sufficient. Kati is an inspiration to me.
• The Year in Volcanoes - beautiful