Professional art dealer Ariel Meyerowitz joins Jim O'Shaughnessy to demystify the complex world of art. Ariel provides an essential guide for aspiring collectors, explaining where to begin, how to develop your eye, and why buying what you love is the most important first step. They explore the inner workings of galleries, auctions, and art fairs, contrasting the emotional value of art with the often-fickle investment market. Ariel also shares her philosophy on patronage, the psychology of collecting, and the profound, stress-reducing impact of living with art. This conversation is a perfect starting point for anyone looking to break into the art world, offering a clear path from intimidation to appreciation.

#Art #ArtCollecting #Investing #Culture #Creativity #MentalModels #Innovation #Design #Psychology #Philosophy

Important Links:

Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/

Ariel's Website: https://www.arielmeyerowitz.com/

Books mentioned:

The Painted Word by Tom Wolfe

Adam Moskowitz is the King of Cheese—but his path to the throne was anything but straight. In this delicious episode of Infinite Loops, Adam shares his wild journey from a failed rap career and a battle with addiction to becoming one of the most influential figures in cheese and the host of A Cheese Course.

Whether you are a foodie, a creator battling gatekeepers, or just someone who loves a good comeback story, this episode will remind you to bet on yourself—and maybe eat some better cheese while you're at it.

I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack.

Show Notes:

• The "Cheese Quake" origin story and the failed rap career

• Why "Creamy" is a texture, not a flavor

• The Artisan Cheese Illuminati

• Creating a documentary when gatekeepers said "No"

• The "Olive Garden" insult that fueled a fire

• Is the "Banana on the Wall" actually art?

• Cognitive diversity and why echo chambers kill creativity

• The "Time Horizon is Infinite" philosophy

• Leaders Lead & Lead with Love

Books & Ideas Mentioned:

• My Dinner with Andre (Movie)

• Candide by Voltaire (Dr. Pangloss)

• Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

• Claude Shannon (Information Theory)

From a 0.9 GPA in rural Utah to the faculty of Harvard, Todd Rose's life is a testament to the idea that the "standard path" is a myth. In this return appearance on Infinite Loops, Todd opens up about the gritty, unvarnished reality of his origin story—a journey that includes ten minimum wage jobs, a stint administering enemas for a living, and the life-changing intervention of a department secretary named Marilyn Diamond.

We dive deep into the "Dark Horse" mindset and why the pursuit of fulfillment, rather than the pursuit of excellence, is actually the most reliable driver of success. We also bond over our mutual disdain for Frederick Taylor, explore the devastating impact of "average-based" thinking on human potential, and discuss why dignity is the bedrock of a free society—illustrated by a heartbreaking personal encounter with a jar of chunky peanut butter.

If you've ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or if you're looking for a roadmap to navigate the coming cultural shifts in the age of AI, this conversation is essential listening.

I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack.

Show Notes:

• The 0.9 GPA and the "Correct Answer Machine"

• Ten minimum wage jobs and the advice to "get longer gloves"

• Marilyn Diamond: The improbable mentor who saved Todd's education

• The "No Average Brain" discovery in neuroscience

• Why we both despise Frederick Taylor and Scientific Management

• Dark Horses: Ignoring the destination to find the path

• Degrees of Freedom: How Todd hacked the GRE

• The "Chunky Peanut Butter" story and the importance of dignity

• Resentment, trust, and the future of AI

• The "Rainy Day Club" and how paradigms actually shift

Books Mentioned:

• Collective Illusions; Todd Rose

• The End of Average; Todd Rose

• Dark Horse; Todd Rose

• Improbable Mentors; Mike Perry

• The Principles of Scientific Management; Frederick Taylor

• The Structure of Scientific Revolutions; Thomas Kuhn

• The Wealth of Nations; Adam Smith

• Man's Search for Meaning; Viktor Frankl

• Dignity; Chris Arnade

• Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy; Joseph Schumpeter