About a year ago I wrote about the podcasts I listen to. I think of newsletters in (about) the same vein; I’m looking for ones that are “smart, intellectually stimulating and thought provoking, to the point, and refreshing”. I’m subscribed to 15 (!) such newsletters, however because they are of high quality and are delivered either weekly or monthly, it never feels like my inbox is swamped. They cover topics like tech, third culture, management, finance, hedge funds, venture capital, economics, markets, law, and China. Sort of an overlap with the podcasts I’m subscribed to.
Before I jump to the list (just like in my podcasts post,) I want to briefly mention how I read newsletters. Frankly, in contrast to my Overcast setup, my newsletter setup is very simple but for one cool trick: Smart Mailboxes. My “Newsletters” Smart Mailbox declutters my inbox and acts as a unified list of my to-read subscriptions. It doesn’t matter if I archive or otherwise act on an email, it’s always there.
I’ve listed my newsletter subscriptions below. (Ranked in the order of my Smart Mailbox.) Am I missing something? If your favorite newsletter is not listed below but merits to be, please do let me know. I’m all in for great content and expanding this medley of thought streams. In the words of the novelist Ian McEwan, I think, you, the readership of this blog and I are looking for content that is “open-minded, free-ranging, intellectually playful… an unadorned pleasure in curiosity, a collective expression of wonder at the living and inanimate world… an ongoing and thrilling colloquium.”
Matt’s Thoughts in Between
One of my favorites newsletters. A unique collection of thoughts on tech, economics, politics, paired with great links by Matt Clifford who runs Entrepreneur First.
Edge
On third culture, long term thinking about the future, technology, and more.
Gwern
New content, edits, as well as links by the legendary Gwern. From philosophy, statistics, and psychology, to programming.
Breaking Smart
Venkatesh Rao’s newsletter on technology, ideas, management, and more.
Harvard Law Review
Constitutional law is one of my hobbies.
Benedict’s Newsletter
A weekly newsletter with Ben’s notes about tech, Silicon Valley. Great insights about the industry from one of the best.
Porcupine Letters
My only—and favorite—Greek newsletter. Yannis’ links (from design to management and productivity) are excellent.
Albourne Village
Hedge fund and finance news and links. Industry favorite.
a16z Newsletter
The definitive way to catch up with a16z’s takes on tech, how software is eating the world, and their investments. Pairs well with their podcast.
Sinocism
“The presidential daily brielf for China hands.” As you may know, I’m interested in China and Africa lately.
Credit Writedowns
Edward Harrison, a seasoned banking and business professional (who started as a diplomat) writes one of the best finance, macroeconomics, and foreign policy newsletters out there.
Digital Culture
A monthly essay mixing serious thoughts and more trivial observations on technology, finance, culture, and investing.
Nicolas Colin’s weekly work, readings, & writings
A newsletter about technology, startups, and investing.
Briefings by Goldman Sachs
Goldman’s definitive weekly roundup of trends shaping markets, industries, and the global economy.
Thoughts for the long run
Aimun writes a very interesting weekly newsletter about long-term investing (from mental models to investing trends) in venture capital, private equity, and hedge funds.