The weekend is here! Pour yourself a Bella Vinca coffee, take a seat by the fire, and get ready for our long weekend:

• Larry Fink wants to save the world (and make money) The companies he runs manage about $10 trillion in pension funds, endowments, governments, corporations and individuals, the equivalent of more than 10% of global gross domestic product in 2020. As a steward to millions of investors, BlackRock has enormous shareholder voting power, which can both support management and inspire them in new directions. The CEO of major asset manager BlackRock has used his position to push the company to tackle climate change (Wall Street Journal)

• China’s Economy: Aftermath of the Evergrande Crisis China’s second-largest developer is now on the cusp of what will become the country’s biggest-ever bankruptcy, the collapse of which has sparked a wider crisis in the real estate industry. It has accumulated debts of about 2 trillion yuan, equivalent to 2 percent of GDP, owed to creditors including individuals who buy high-yielding investment products from the group, as well as China’s largest construction companies and banks. Xi Jinping has ordered a crackdown on real estate, putting increasing pressure on local governments and many businesses (Financial Times)

• How we can repair the ozone layer: When it comes to progress stories, there aren’t many environmental successes to draw from. While there have been some local and national successes—such as dramatic reductions in local air pollution in rich countries—there has been little at the global level. There is one exception, however: the ozone layer. Humanity’s ability to heal the ozone layer is not only our greatest environmental success, but the most impressive example of international cooperation on any challenge in history. The stories behind humanity’s greatest environmental successes are rarely told and often taken for granted. This is how humans repair the ozone layer and why it is so important. (work in progress)

• ‘No room for error’: The key role of the humble tugboat in alleviating the global crisis Every day on the water, he sees signs of the seemingly insatiable demand coming and going of container ships, car carriers, oil tankers, and even Chiquita banana boats. “Those of us exercising here have seen everyone’s lives get bigger,” he said. “Every day, we learn first-hand the size and scale of the U.S. economy and American consumerism. Not many people appreciate that when they go to the market to buy individuals. (los angeles times)

• America needs immigrants to grow and prosper The problem of immigration turning into a culture war wedge is a huge economic risk for the United States of America. Immigration is not only important to our identity and culture; it is also important to our economy. There are many reasons for this, but they all boil down to the challenges of an aging, declining population. And right-wing culture warriors like Amy Wax are standing in the way. (Noapignon)

• Can Matt Mullenweg save the internet? Automattic’s founding philosophy—software available to everyone and editable by anyone, communities building great things together, and walled gardens always ending in collapse—seems more fragile than ever. In Mullenweg’s view, “open” still wins. It’s not a question of if, only when. He’s turning Automattic into another tech giant. But can he take on the trillion-dollar walled garden and give the internet back to the people? (protocol)

• 10 scientific discoveries that could lead to new inventions in 2021 From nanorobots to cancer treatments, nature inspires innovations of all kinds (Smithsonian)

• A People’s History of Black Twitter, Part 1 From #UKnowUrBlackWhen to #BlackLivesMatter, how the loose online web has become a dominator of pop culture, an engine of social justice, and a lens into the future. (wired) see also A People’s History of Black Twitter, Part II Black Twitter is no longer just an online movement, it’s taking to the streets — and finding its voice. (wired)

• The pandemic has retired our family’s harasser. This is how we ended up getting him. Our horrific experience is over – but it took a lot of time and resources that others may not have had access to. (buzzing)

• Boldly Explore Star Trek’s Jewish Roots A Jewish Cultural Center exhibit has plenty of artifacts to delight the Trekkies—but it also points to the Jewish origins of the Vulcan salute. (New York Times)

Be sure to check out our Master of Business interview Meet this weekend with Ray Dalio, founder, co-chairman and co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. Dalio’s latest book, Principles for Coping with a Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail.

Investors rush out of U.S. tech stocks amid strong market rotation

source: Financial Times

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To understand how these readings are assembled on a daily basis, please see this.