The Internet Re-Wiring Our Brains.

From here:

Noted science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov predicted that one day, we'd "have computer outlets in every home, each of them hooked up to enormous libraries where anyone can ask any question and be given answers, be given reference materials, be something you're interested in knowing, from an early age, however silly it might seem to someone else," and with this appliance, be able to truly enjoy learning instead of being forced to learn mundane facts and figures. His insight has proven to be amazingly accurate, as we now live in a world with the Internet, where nearly the entire wealth of human knowledge can live at our fingertips or even in our pockets. Such an amazing feat, of course, doesn't happen without impacting our lives, and scientists have begun to note that the Internet has not only served to fulfill our brains' curiosities, but also rewired them. So what exactly is the Internet doing to our brains? Read on to find out.

Disclosure/Disclaimer: I use the internet a lot... This is not advice of any kind. Always do a ton of your own research before contemplating doing anything that I say, do, write, or so much as think about.

Berkowitz Outperforms (Finally!)

Here, we read that Bruce Berkowitz is now sitting on one of the best funds, after being one of the worst funds. It has been a long time coming and I am genuinely happy for the guy. While I have never invested along side of him (in anything, to my knowledge) I have respect for the guy, simply because he is so damned contrary. Anyone that can go in to some of the situations that he has invested in is either insane or incredibly smart and ballsy (just for being able to go against everyone's opinion!). I think it's the later for Berkowitz.

To the people that redeemed on him at the wrong time: congrats, you now look stupid and are probably mad at someone other than yourself for what was solely your mistake.


Disclosure/Disclaimer: None that I know of... This is not advice of any kind. Always do a ton of your own research before contemplating doing anything that I say, do, write, or so much as think about.

A Smart Kid...

Here is a story from NPR about a 14 year old that bought a distressed house in Florida. Apparently, she is a wheeler dealer, who will trade things and do random services to raise money. As a result, she was able to buy a house on the cheap in Florida.

As a landlord, I can assure you, that even if one would use 100% financing on a $24K property, have to do a ton of work on it, and then rent it out for $700/month, that person would do freakishly well with that piece of property (and that is without knowing a single thing about the neighborhood or value of the house). She split it and paid cash for it with her mother, who is going to gradually be bought out... With the kind of cash flow that this thing will provide her, it won't take her too long either.

As a side note, I totally relate to her being a landlord that is younger than the tenants that she rents to; in my experience, it will occasionally make for some very odd interactions. I wish Willow nothing but the best in her landlording and business ventures. If the NPR story is indicative of her as a person, she is a lot smarter than I am and I look forward to someday reading about her on the home page of the Wall Street Journal.


Disclosure/Disclaimer: I am long various types of real estate, but do have a few houses for sale... This is not advice of any kind. Always do a ton of your own research before contemplating doing anything that I say, do, write, or so much as think about.

International Baler Continues To Impress!

WOW... Not only did International Baler post really good numbers in their most recent 10Q, but they also actually paid money to send out a press release which, I can't remember them doing as long as I have been a shareholder. It seems that they are pretty confident in their financial footing, as they have historically been very frugal with their funds.

Items of note:

*The lawsuit for the wrongful death of an employee was dismissed, though, it could still come back through an amended complaint. Even so, it looks like the company's insurance will take care of this.

* The backlog of sales has significantly swelled... From just under $3.3 million to $7.8 million- and in just 3 months at that! WOW!

*PP&E went up a little bit, indicating that the company is spending on the facility. I won't be a bit surprised if they take on a large renovation of the facility in the not so distant future. After hearing the sort of efficiencies that they would get by doing so, I think that it would be prudent to do so.

Anyway, having been long the company since the depths of the Great Recession, I am still a happy long of this great little company!


Disclosure/Disclaimer: I am long shares of IBAL... This is not advice of any kind. Always do a ton of your own research before contemplating doing anything that I say, do, write, or so much as think about.

Scut-Scut-Scuttlebutt...

This is what happens when you drive over 7 hours to central Virginia (and then back an hour or so to Roanoke) to do some scuttlebutt for a few days on one of your favorite nano-caps... An inch thick stack of deeds and real estate fliers on top of your kitchen table... That, plus a whole lot of pictures of the real estate that is (or was) owned by the company, as well as some that are owned by the CEO. I will be honest- I am impressed with the situation out there.

More to come...

Disclosure/Disclaimer: I am long shares of Sitestar... This is not advice of any kind. Always do a ton of your own research before contemplating doing anything that I say, do, write, or so much as think about.