Diamonds aren’t forever. But maybe Lego is.
I yelped after stepping on a piece just earlier this morning (life with kids).Which is a strange thing to be doing in 2026, because the key patent on those ABS-molded bricks expired in 1978.
Anyone can legally make the identical brick and plenty do, although they’re banned in my household (imitation Lego is heretical). Lego still went from $1bn in revenue in 2004 to over $12bn last year. Because Lego actually sells something that’s fun, teaches, and keeps getting better.
De Beers has launched “Diamonds are Forever” in 1947. And then, in 2018, launched its own lab-grown line. They legitimized the substitute and taught the customer it existed. Today, a natural diamond retails at $7,570 and lab-grown at $870. Rings will never be the same.
Both companies charge a premium. One earned it, while the other extracted. Any bets on which lasts longer?
Anyways, that’s what I’m thinking about this week. Because record corporate profits, massive debt levels, and the endless cycle of anger in American politics is just a bit too much for the last week before school starts.
Until next week friends.
How much profit is enough?
Source: Financial Times
With GPT-6 Astra rolling out, cybersecurity stocks seem like a smart bet.
Source: Semafor
Podcasts consumption is blurring boundaries. Are they becoming TV?
Source: Semafor
Over the decades, political speech in America has gotten much angrier.
Source: The Economist
Fortunately, there’s a strong bipartisan consensus about tackling this.
Source: The Economist
The Americans’ have a declining supply of easy-to-access horizontal wells.
Source: EIA
Offices in SF have never recovered from COVID.
Source: Semafor
Learn from my mistakes: don’t ask someone about the stone on their engagement ring. It’s a new faux pas.
Source: Bloomberg
The relentless march of Lego.
Source: Bloomberg
This also applies to humans living with cats….
