Stability on the Shelf

Good morning, friends, and happy Sunday.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there's no better time to slow down, reflect, and connect than now. Today, I've got stories to spark your curiosity and hopefully even your holiday spirit—from cults and charismatic leaders to whether your phone is listening, plus book picks from world-class authors.

Let's dive in together, shall we?

Here's everything you need to know Sunday:

Thanksgiving is a great time to pause, reflect, and give something thoughtful. And what better than a book? Here are the answers that Bloomberg asked CEOs, politicians, and entrepreneurs about this year's favorite books: clearly, stability is a top priority.

Morgan Housel's study of human behavior, "Same as Ever," appeared multiple times. Similarly, the Longevity Imperative resonated with leaders like Francesca Cornelli and Bill Ford, offering insights into navigating life's ever-lengthening horizons. For those facing uncertainty, The New Cold War and The War Below provide blueprints for turning chaos into opportunity.

It's clear: in unsteady times, people seek wisdom, perspective, and control between the covers of a good book. So, take a page from this list if you struggle with gift ideas—quite literally.

The Privacy Illusion

Ever talk about something random—like broccoli at dinner—and suddenly see ads for it the next day? Isn't it like your phone listens to you? Well, not quite.

David Choffnes from Northeastern University has delved into this persistent internet myth. The kicker: Over 17,000 Android apps were examined, and some screenshots and videos were shared without your permission. Third-party data and powerful algorithms help advertisers deliver ads so specific they seem psychic.

The takeaway? Your phone may not be a spy, but it's still a data goldmine for advertisers. Creepy? Absolutely. Avoidable? Only if you read every single app permission (spoiler: no one does).

Kundalini to Chaos

You might leave a yoga class with a new worldview or a new set of problems. Breath of Fire explores Guru Jagat's transformation from a small-town spiritual seeker to a global wellness guru with celebrity followers like Kate Hudson.

With Kundalini practices and modern girl-boss energy, Griggs wasn't just teaching yoga; she led a movement. Her empire grew, but cracks appeared. Instagram-perfect facades hide allegations of workplace abuse, cultural appropriation, and conspiracy theories. Oh, and her supposed "spiritual father," Yogi Bhajan? From fraud to abuse, his legacy is soiled in scandal.

It's more than a docuseries; it reflects the dark side of wellness trends and how charisma can tip into coercion. Grab your popcorn, but maybe skip the yoga mat for now.

What We Learned This Week?

1. Behind the paywall: OnlyFans’ dark secrets.

2. A new chapter in the war: Ukraine’s long-range leap.

3. How did a banana become high art?

4. When chatbots diagnose better than doctors, what’s next?

5. 112 years later, salmon swim free in the Klamath River.

6. Pakistan’s smog crisis is out of control.

7. Bluesky marks 20m users and counting.

8. The unexpected benefits of chatting with yourself.

9. Wall Street’s wildest fraud ends in an 18-year sentence.

10. Bomb Cyclone’s deadly sweep across the Pacific Northwest.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Colorizing old photos to bring a forgotten zoo back to life.

🧮 Core Count: 2,500

The number of left-handed people killed each year by right-handed products.

🗓️ Flashback:

1859 - Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species," revolutionizing the view of evolution and laying the foundation for evolutionary biology.

1950 - The UN troops begin an assault to end the Korean War.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran