Things from my Newsblur (was Google Reader, with a stop at Old Reader): Sep-12 Edition

With Google now closed down, and Old Reader initially struggling under the weight of those looking to move over to something with a similar feel, Our Man ended up using Newsblur.  Unlike Google Reader (and Old Reader) it comes with a small fee, but has proven to be great so far...and the hunt for a new RSS feed aggregator is over. 

It’s been a while since I’ve last shared some interesting reading material so expect a bumper edition (or perhaps a two-parter!).

- Food Truck Economics

While it may not be true where you live, the food-truck culture has taken off in New York City!  Gone are the days when food trucks meant some questionable street meat or salty pretzels, now there’s high quality food for any taste.  Obviously, this got Our Man thinking about whether food trucks are profitable and the economics of their business – thankfully, this little story answers those questions. (The team at Priceonomics)

PS. Here are some of Our Man’s favourite NYC food trucks – Wafels & Dinges, Korilla Korean BBQ, and Gorilla Cheese. If you’re passing by, try them – your stomach won’t be sad…

- Rejection, tragedy and billions of dollars – The story of FIFA

In his younger days, Our Man rather liked playing video games…especially against his flatmate – one of the staples of these often titanic duels, was FIFA Football/Soccer.  Here’s the story of how, despite parent company EA Sports’ lack of interest, a small team managed to get one of the biggest video game franchises off the ground.  (Christopher Dring, MCV)

- How Should a Suit Fit?

Suits seem to be going out of fashion in the professional world (or perhaps it’s just Our Man’s field), which is a terrible shame.  It also means that when Our Man meets the occasional undergraduate or post-graduate for coffee to talk about the working world, he’s somewhat shocked by their sartorial choices.  (Antonio, Art of Manliness)

- How Athletes Get Great

Malcolm Gladwell popularized the argument that it only takes 10,000hours of practice…but unsurprisingly, that’s not entirely true.  As always, the actual truth is somewhat more nuanced and complex as this interview with David Epstein suggests.  (Jeff Repanich, Outside Online)

- AFC Wimbledon Ready to go back to Plough Lane

Being a long-time AFC Wimbledon fan, the news that the club could return to Wimbledon and across the street from their old ground is one that makes Our Man smile!  (Jim White, Daily Telegraph)

- Pop Art

As a sports fan, the San Antonio Spurs fascinate Our Man and earlier this year, they were in the midst of a fascinating 7-game NBA Finals series against the Miami Heat (who eventually won, just).  Their coach, Greg Popovich, is mostly known for not suffering fools (or reporters) much and being…well rather good at his job!  This story sheds a little more light on one of the most successful coaches around.  (Jack McCallum, CNN Sports Illustrated)

- How the NFL Fleeces Taxpayers

For all the political gnashing in the US about wanting to avoid European-style socialism, in sports it’s the opposite with European football (or soccer) being utterly capitalistic (and hence the clubs barely very limited profits) and US sports taking a far more socialist-type approach (and hence the clubs making bazillions).  The NFL, the biggest sport in the US, is of course the master of this!  (Gregg Easterbrook, The Atlantic)