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The most important man you’ve never heard of

In A Mind at Play: How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age, biographers Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman exhaustively tell the story of the life of Claude Shannon — the “father of information theory,” whose acumen informs every “computer built, email sent, video streamed, and webpage loaded.” Claude Shannon was a polymath, a tinkerer, and a digital pioneer. He constructed the first wearable computer, outsmarted Las Vegas casinos, and built robots. He also wrote what’s been called “the Magna Carta of the Information Age.” Along with Shannon’s contributions to the modern world, the authors also describe Shannon’s many eccentricities. This is the story of an unsung hero whose life’s work is fundamental to our world today. Kudos to Larry Siegel for turning me on to this one.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1498685962415{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text]information theory[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1498686120953{padding-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Being a lifelong learner

Great Courses lifelong learningI’ve personally purchased more than fifty Great Courses over the years. Their website offers engaging, immersive “learning” you can experience through video or audio, discs or digitally, on topics that range from Better Living to Finance and Economics, Fine Arts to History, Math, Science, Philosophy, and much more. Excellent teachers and experts collaborate on customized and entertaining educational courses that are comprehensive and fascinating. They’re outstanding for commuting, working out, or on long drives. And, the accompanying material is fantastic for refreshing the material or later review. Best part, there’s no homework or exams.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1498758893005{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text]annoyed economists

Annoyed economists

Few things are as dangerous as economists with physics envy is the title of a recent article by University of Cambridge political economist John Rapley. He writes about how economists wonder why everyone feels free to join economic debates instead of leaving them to the experts, as they do with physics or medicine. “What economists don’t usually admit is that, on a range of topics they examine, they often had an answer to the question before they began their studies. Scientists are supposed to reach their conclusions after doing research and weighing the evidence but, in economics, conclusions can come first, with economists gravitating towards a thesis that fits their moral worldview,” Rapley writes. He goes on to discuss why economics has always been an ethical and social exercise, and why the reaction against economists is “understandable.” Click here for the entire article[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]Tom Connelly is the President and Chief Investment Officer at Versant Capital Management, Inc. His background is not only financial – he has considerable interests other than just making money. His broad curiosity informs and inspires Tom to create an expansive context to investment numbers, which leads to deeper and more strategic conversations with clients.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1498687253490{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text][mk_fancy_text color=”#444444″ highlight_color=”#ffffff” highlight_opacity=”0.0″ size=”14″ line_height=”21″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”14″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]Disclosure: Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Versant Capital Management, Inc.), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this newsletter will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this newsletter serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Versant Capital Management, Inc. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Versant Capital Management, Inc. is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the newsletter content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. If you are a Versant Capital Management, Inc. client, please remember to contact Versant Capital Management, Inc., in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services. A copy of the Versant Capital Management, Inc.’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request.[/mk_fancy_text]

[mk_fancy_text color=”#444444″ highlight_color=”#ffffff” highlight_opacity=”0.0″ size=”14″ line_height=”21″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”14″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]Disclaimer: The opinions in the articles and books and on the websites referenced are for general information only. Neither Versant Capital Management, Inc. (VCM) nor any of its affiliates or employees makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, regulatory compliance, or usefulness of any information, tools, resources or process described, or represents that its use would fully protect against cyber security incidents, including but not limited to system breaches, compromise of firm security and/or improper access to confidential information. The article contains links to content that is available on third-party websites. Please note that VCM does not endorse these sites or the products and services you might find there.[/mk_fancy_text]

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