Recorded 2015-05-29

Is the rise of algorithmic trading the end of Wall Street as we know it? Or the start of a whole new era of securities trading? We discuss the benefits, pitfalls, future, and regulation surrounding algorithmic or black box trading.

Show Notes

Recorded 2015-04-06

Do the goals of your financial advisor match yours? We discuss the importance of financial planners, how to make sure you make the right choice when choosing a financial planner, and what behind the scenes paychecks your planner may be cashing.

Show Notes

Recorded 2015-02-25

Is an Apple car a strategic move of genius or a major lack in judgement. We discuss the potential strategies, opportunities, and potential pitfalls of what could be an earth shattering move by the world’s most profitable company.

Show Notes

Post show

Recorded 2015-01-27

An overview of Apple’s record breaking quarter and the future of Apple as a whole. Can growth continue? If so where?

Show Notes

Recorded 2015-01-19

Show Notes

Stephan’s on the search for a new website, but will never be able to match the awesomeness (or lack thereof) of “The Glitter Bomb”

http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/01/glitterbomb-startup-founder-looks-to-cash-out-puts-site-up-for-auction/

Explanation of the Glitter Bomb website, send envelopes of glitter to your enemies

Viral marketing viability

What does it take to create this type of visibility? Can it be taught? If so wouldn’t this education already be viral?

Discussion of when the glitter bomb would be optimal

Is the success of the site short lived due to the marketing or is there possibility for a long term need for glitter bombs?

Do it on a computer. Is there really a difference between a product or process in physical life vs online.

Scalability is the true differentiator for the “do it on a computer” idea

What is the true reason for selling the Glitter Bomb site so quickly? Is there actually a fulfillment process in place?

Dropshipping and automation have a massive affect on the success of online companies.

Is there more to starting a website than solely making money? If so, how would this compare to public companies?

Owning a business that you do not have a personal interest in could be compared to owning stock in a public company that you have no connection to. Stocks should be looked at as a portion of a true company, not simply a piece of paper.

What is the cost or benefit of social responsibility? There is a difference between maximizing shareholder value and stakeholder value. These are not mutually exclusive therefore it is possible, albeit rare, that both could be maximized together. Example: CVS not selling cigarettes.

Cigarette sidebar: trends for the future, economic cycle timing in emerging economies, contrast of cultures

Apple watch update and proposed release dates.

The speed and accuracy of replication of soon to be released products. Companies must differentiate through the process or the experience opposed to the actual physical good.

The web creates low barriers to entry and adds to the ease of replication. The hardware barrier to entry is also falling.

Consumer perception and differentiation will deter the complete commoditization of unique products. Designer products use their logos and the copyright protection associated with it to establish a brand opposed to the actual product.

Post show:

Kyre is interviewed for a newspaper

Todd brings up legal repercussions for overstated gas mileage from Kia and Hyundai

http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-fines-hyundai-kia-for-overstating-fuel-economy-1415028646

Stephan brags about his new “beastly” computer

Recorded: 2015-01-07

Show Notes: 

Thanks to John Chidgey from the Pragmatic Podcast for the shout out on twitter, http://techdistortion.com/podcasts/pragmatic

Historical demand for oil is falling, link between GDP and oil starting to fall apart

The combination of low demand and high supply leads to lower prices

The true breakeven point for oil drillers continues to drop. While this cannot be the case, media and investors benefit from the story related to the safety of oil drillers

The foreign oil drillers have lower breakeven points and therefore have the ability to beat out domestic drillers

OPEC as a cartel and the incentives related to collusion…or lack thereof

How the prisoner’s dilemma works for the non-economics nerds:

Collusion only benefits the one who deviates from the collusion.

Facebook did not participate in the salary collusion of large tech firms.

Not only does deviation from collusion give a benefit, there is no cost or punishment (when dealing with oil)

Are the low oil prices a situation that oil producers can even control or is this truly a demand driven drop due to the increase in fuel efficiency and city living?

Innovation occurs because of necessity.

Could there be a shift back to “gas guzzlers” because of the low gas prices

Side Note: CES happening this weekend (1/10/2015), inductive charging

Gasoline and oil producers have a difficult time differentiating their product due to the fact that it is a commodity.

Next level collusion? Could lower oil prices be a strategy to increase car sales therefore prolonging the demand for oil

Oil companies with their low prices now have high dividends. If these dividends are sustainable, then could this be a buying opportunity for a beat up industry?

Will the industry or the economy prevail?

Post Show:

Squirrel problems…’nuff said

More Links:

Recorded 2014-09-22

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/tivo-announces-tivo-mega-a-rackmount-dvr-with-six-tuners-and-24-tb/

Define Rich

Net Worth vs Income

Expensive vs Costly

Are certain people better at being wealthy?

What is your “I Quit” wealth level?

Post Show

Wealth vs Income. Can you ever have too much money?

Recorded 2014-09-11

Apple Watch

Recorded 2014-09-07