Yesterday hundreds of investors got together for the last day of the Value Investing Congress in New York City, an elite conference for investors who love to dig deep into equities.

It being the last day, attendees also watched one of their super smart peers win $50,000 for their investing idea. We've got the presentation — on chemicals company Ashland Inc. — in full for you right here.

This was a part of the Value Investing Challenge — a contest held by the VIC, along with partner SumZero. It was a pretty simple competition — the best investing idea wins. The panel of judges was stacked with industry pros, and the top two of the three finalists presented at the conference.

Hundreds of investors submitted ideas, but it was Daniel Lawrence, managing partner and founder of Elmrox Investment Group, who took home the gold.

Click here to head right to the presentation »

A few things about Lawrence: He's a 32 year-old New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx and Yonkers. His  grandfather drove a Frito-Lay truck, and when he was a kid, he remembers watching CNBC with his grandfather, waiting for the Pepsi ticker to show up (Frito-Lay is a division of PepsiCo).

That's probably when the seed was planted, but Lawrence had a ways to go first. He won a scholarship to go to Iona Prep and from there went on to be the first person in his family to go away to college (University of Virgina — Paul Tudor Jones, an alumnus who is famous for predicting the 1987 market crash known as "Black Monday," is, of course, an idol).

At UVA, he fell in love with stock picking and contrarian ideas. He ended up at Merril Lynch for a while, but ultimately, Lawrence says, he's an entrepreneur. He had to head out on his own. That's why he started Elmrox.

Now he's expecting his first child (a son ... any day now), and spends his free time working with Services for the Underserved, a charity that helps with housing and other support for homeless veterans, the mentally and physically disabled, those with HIV, and others.

He also now has $50,000 extra dollars. Don't forget that, too.

Apple has made the new iOS 7 software available today. While it's a drastic change in interface from iOS 6, change is not necessarily a bad thing.

If you're thinking about making the switch, here's what you need to do:

Make Sure You Have A Compatible Device

iOS 7 will only work on iPhones that are iPhone 4 and later, Retina display iPads, iPad 2, and the fifth-generation iPod touch. 

iOS 7 comes on the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, available September 20.

Carve Out Some Time

Historically, Apple makes its software available around 1pm on the release day. When lots of people download it at the same time, it crowds Apple's servers. If you can wait, try downloading iOS 7 in a few days. If you're impatient, be prepared for a sluggish download.

Update iTunes

If you back up your iPhone or iPad to iTunes, or if you plan to install iOS 7 from iTunes, make sure you are running the latest version (11.0).

You can check by opening iTunes and going to Help > Check for Updates. Make sure you restart iTunes after installing the latest version.

Back Up Your Device

Back up your device to iTunes. This is extremely important as it will let you keep your contacts, photos, and apps from the previous iOS.

You can also back it up to iCloud. Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup. Under Backup, turn on the switch for iCloud Backup.

Update iOS 

When iOS 7 becomes available, you can update with a good Wi-Fi connection by going into your settings and grabbing the software update. This is an easy way to do it if you're on the go. 

You can also use iTunes to upgrade your software. 

Plug your device into your computer with the USB cord and launch iTunes. On the left side of iTunes, find and select your device. Click "Check for Update" which will appear automatically. When the dialog box appears, select "Download and Update".

Wait

Be patient as you wait for the download. If you interrupt the process you could risk disrupting the update.

Now Watch: These Are The Biggest Changes Coming To Your iPhone Today

Join the conversation about this story »

The prison camps of Nazi Germany only existed for 12 years before their remaining survivors were freed following World War II. In the years that followed, many learned of horrifying conditions, torture, and millions murdered by Hitler's regime and people swore never to let it happen again.

But less than a decade later, North Korea established its own system of prison camps where an untold number have died amidst "unspeakable atrocities" comparable to the Nazis, according to a preliminary report from the UN.

"I believe you will be very disturbed and distressed by it and that you will have reaction similar to those of (U.S.) General Eisenhower and the others who came upon the camps in post-war Europe," head investigator Michael Kirby told Reuters.

Around 200,000 people are currently imprisoned in these camps, while some 400,000 people have died there, according to reports by  Amnesty International and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

The Hermit Kingdom has repeatedly denied such reports, but Kim Jong-un cannot hide from satellite imagery and the growing number of escapees who testified about the regime's abuse.

We have gathered some details from inside along with satellite images, and a set of unconfirmed illustrations supposedly done by a defector give a hint of the terror inside. Be warned: The following content is disturbing.

In a country of 24 million people, up to 200,000 have reportedly "disappeared" into brutal concentration camps found throughout the country.

Source: Committee for Human Rights in North Korea

Former prisoners say conditions are so bad that 20 to 25 percent of the prison population dies every year. [NOTE: This is the first of multiple disturbing illustrations supposedly made by a defector who spent time in the prisons.]

Source: Committee for Human Rights in North Korea

The North uses "guilt by association" to lock up entire families just for knowing someone convicted of "wrong thought."

Source: Committee for Human Rights in North Korea

Scientists are making tremendous gains in extending human life.

Google just launched a new startup, Calico, that is focusing on ways to prevent aging.

According to Time, which has the full story, the project will "start small and focus entirely on researching new technologies."

It sounds like it's going to be a while before we see the life-enhancing benefits of Calico, so we've compiled some activities that you can do now to improve your health, and in some cases, stave off death by several years.

Being rich (but not for the reason you think).

Sure, having tons of money will pay for better health care, food, and a personal trainer to keep you in shape, but people who are rich also have more of a key hormone associated with prolonged life spans. 

Scientists from the University College London found that wealthier people have higher levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

DHEAS is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands and brain that has been linked to a broad range of health benefits, including improved memory, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and increased longevity, especially among men. 

Hanging out with lots of women.

Researchers at Harvard University found that men who are raised in an environment with few women die sooner than those who grow up around many females. 

A high female-to-male ratio increases the likelihood that men will find lifelong partners and get married, also shown to improve lifespan. 

Getting married.

Getting hitched is especially good for men. In an analysis of 90 studies, including 500 million people, researchers found that married men lived on average 10 years longer than non-married men.

Married women lived four years longer than non-married women. Scientists cite as one reason for an earlier death, that singles don't have the same social support as married couples. 

When Fred and Debbie Koegler told friends they were taking their two boys to spend Christmas in a national park, everybody assumed they’d be surrounded by rocky peaks and pine trees in some snowbound mountain lodge. In fact, they spent the holiday south of the equator on a deserted jungle-backed beach, snorkeling amid one of the Pacific’s most pristine coral reefs in American Samoa National Park, one of America’s least-visited national parks.

See the parks »

“The island of Ofu was spectacular, and we had the beach all to ourselves,” Fred says. “The beach was just beautiful, with crystal-clear waters and a reef just off shore.”

For part of their weeklong tour through the three-island, 13,500-acre national park, the Koeglers were guests of a local family, a homestay made possible by the fact that Samoans play an integral role in the park’s management and visitor experience.

“Our hosts took us through the jungle to a cave where the fruit bats live—it was an amazing sight, for sure,” Debbie says.

American Samoa National Park is just one of the hidden-gem national parks ready to be explored this summer. Of the 59 national parks, the big four (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Great Smoky Mountains) attract the most visitors while many of the parks like American Samoa, Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison, California’s Channel Islands and Michigan’s Isle Royale remain largely empty.

“Oh, those are beautiful, beautiful parks,” Debbie says of the big four. “But there are so many exquisite, unexpected landscapes to enjoy in our national parks that if you only go to the big ones, you’re missing out.”

And the Koeglers would know. The retired Los Angeles teachers have spent more than 40 summers in California’s Yosemite National Park, where Fred works as a seasonal horse patrol ranger, and over the last 20 years the couple has visited every single park, monument, seashore, recreation site and historical site operated by the National Park Service. That’s 401 separate units, spread across the country from the Arctic Circle to below the South Pacific and the California coast to the Caribbean Sea.

“We love our parks,” Debbie says. “We started this adventure in 1995 and have enjoyed every moment.”

This month, the Koeglers will accept the National Park Travelers Club’s Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award for their accomplishments at the group’s annual convention. While few will see all of the country’s parks, many share the couple’s passion for them, says John Giorgis, the club’s president.

“Our membership right now is 1,200 and growing, and most of our members’ favorite parks are the ones most folks have never heard of,” he says.

Case in point: The club’s annual meeting will be held this month at Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee. “Everybody’s thrilled to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, but Gettysburg National Military Park is going to be swamped this summer,” Giorgis says. “This is a great park on the Tennessee River where people can learn about one of the most important battles in the war, and our members are excited to see one of the lesser-known parks in the South.”

Indeed, while the masses migrate to the biggest, most popular parks, smart travelers can have the lesser-known (not necessarily smaller: Wrangell-St. Elias is bigger than Switzerland) parks all to themselves. Many offer comparable scenery and interpretive ranger programming, Giorgis says, and you can avoid traffic, lines and other impediments to enjoyment.

On a recent trip to Cleveland, Giorgis took his two-year-old son on Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s scenic railroad. “Most people don’t even realize there’s a national park in Ohio,” he says. “We had a great time—my son loves trains, so I think it’s now his favorite park.”

Exploring the lesser-known national parks doesn’t just make for a great long weekend or vacation, it also helps protect these landscapes and heritage sites for future generations, says Marjorie Taft Hall, director of communications for the National Park Foundation, the congressionally chartered charity supporting the National Park Service.

“Our parks are more than the sum of their beautiful scenery—they’re living classrooms of our natural and cultural heritage,” she says. “They’re the birthright of every American, and they belong to us, so the more we enjoy them responsibly, the more we ensure they’ll be around for future generations.”

Ready to find your new favorite national park? Check out our list of hidden gems, and begin planning your getaway.

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American Samoa National Park, American Samoa

Samoa translates to “sacred earth,” and this park, comprising 13,500 tropical acres (4,000 acres of which are marine ecosystems) over three volcanic islands in American Samoa, protects the ecosystems and traditions of Polynesia’s oldest culture.

The only park in the Southern Hemisphere (in fact, it’s closer to New Zealand than the U.S. mainland), it relies on Samoans for the management of its stunning rainforest, beaches and coral reefs. On Tutuila, American Samoa’s largest island, towering volcanic ridges hang over the azure waters of Pago Pago Harbor, while on Ta’u, the easternmost island, visitors can scale rainforest-shrouded Lata Mountain, the territory’s highest peak at 3,000 feet, from which the views of the sea are unbeatable.

Among the cherished fauna on this island is the endangered flying fox—a fruit bat with the wingspan of a barn owl, responsible for pollinating the island’s copious fruit trees and shrubs. But the park’s real gem is the hardest to get to: Ofu beach, on the eponymous island 60 miles east of Tutuila. The waters off this jungle-backed stretch of sand protect one of the finest coral reefs in the Pacific—a snorkelers’ paradise.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Copper Center, Alaska

Four mountain ranges—the volcanic Wrangell, the Alaska, the Chugach and the coastal St. Elias—and more than 150 glaciers converge in this 13 million–acre wonderland, our country’s largest national park (it's larger than the entire country of Switzerland).

This is pure mountain wilderness, pierced by just two winding dirt roads. One of those roads terminates in the quirky mining town of McCarthy, the last bush community inside a national park, at the foot of the Root and Kennicott glaciers. Strap on the crampons and explore deep ravines cut by glacial streams that cascade into the glacier’s icy depths.

A dazzling waterfall tumbles off of Donoho Peak, separating the two glaciers; rising beyond it, the perennially snowcapped, 16,390-foot Mount Blackburn is one of the park’s most spectacular volcanic massifs. Anglers—and foodies—know all about delicious Copper River red salmon, and sockeye, coho, and king salmon can be plucked from the braided Copper River every summer. Or hike up one of the river’s countless tributaries to a backcountry lake where Dolly Varden, lake, cutthroat and rainbow trout thrive, along with burbot and grayling.

Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands, California

Looking for empty beaches within 100 miles of Los Angeles? Hop a catamaran and cross the Santa Barbara Channel to this gorgeous archipelago of eight islands, stretching from Newport Beach to Santa Barbara. Despite their proximity to the SoCal metropolis, the five northern islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara) that make up the 250,000-acre park are among the system’s less visited—all the better for a beach picnic at Santa Cruz’s Scorpion Anchorage, a scalloped, pebbly cove from which you can snorkel through kelp forests or kayak along craggy cliffs.

For an even more isolated experience, make the trip to San Miguel Island, the westernmost 9,500-acre island-plateau above the Pacific. The journey to this wild, windswept island pays off in a 16-mile hike to Point Bennett over a wildflower-strewn expanse—gum plant, buckwheat, poppies and verbena remain in bloom through the summer. Point Bennett is one of the most isolated beaches in the world and a sanctuary for harbor seals, northern fur seals, northern elephant seals and California sea lions.

With Apple set to release the iPhone 5C and 5S on Sept. 20, there's been much buzz about one of its features — Touch ID — that will allow users to use their fingerprint to access their phone. There's been speculation that this feature is the final nail in the coffin of Internet privacy, while others are excited about Apple's latest innovation. 

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of both Twitter and Square sat down with Bloomberg West’s Emily Chang yesterday in Detroit, Michigan for his first one-on-one interview since announcing Twitter’s IPO and spoke to his own opinion of the fingerprint sensor, and what that means for Square's growing place in e-commerce. 

The context here is that many people believe fingerprint security will do more for e-commerce than it will for your privacy and security. Touch ID could therefore help or hurt Square, if it becomes powerful in the mobile payment ecosystem. Dorsey says he sees it helping Square:

If you think about everything that we carry on our phones these days, there's a lot of sensitive information and a lot of personal information. And the phone carries all of that. And if you have a way to protect it in a better way, in a more human ways, which I think is really the - the intention of the fingerprint. It's not necessarily better security but it's just more human and more natural and more organic. So for us it means that people are protecting their phone in better ways. And if it's turned on by default, that's great. That means mobile wallets like Square Wallet are protected naturally with a very human interaction.

Dorsey and Chang spoke about Dorsey's love for Detroit, his vision for Square's place in the world of commerce, and of course, Twitter's initial public offering.

You can watch a clip of the interview below:

You can watch the entire interview here.

Join the conversation about this story »

Two Stanford computer scientists have demonstrated that beer geeks have great taste. 

Stanford University computer science post-doc Julian McAuley and assistant professor Jure Leskovec released a paper earlier this year outlining how our tastes change as we consume more products and gain more expertise.

Their theory was the more experience we have, the more we will like certain products that are less accessible to beginners. They wrote:

It would be a mistake to recommend the iconic film "Seven Samurai" simply because a user enjoys other action movies; rather, we might conclude that they will eventually enjoy it — once they are ready. The same is true for beers, wines, gourmet foods — or any products where users have acquired tastes: the ‘best’ products may not be the most ‘accessible.'

McAuley and Leskovec developed a model to help them separate the "expert" users from the "beginners" on a given review website. You can read all about it here, but briefly, it takes into account the number of reviews a user has written, and how the user's ratings evolved compared to the rest of the "expert" community (those who have written more than 50 reviews).

So with Oktoberfest kicking off this Saturday, we asked them to share data for the highest-rated beers by experts on RateBeer, the largest beer-rating website, with more than three million beer reviews.

#20 Stone's Imperial Russian Stout

Brewed in Escondido, California, experts on RateBeer gave Stone Brewing Co.'s Imperial Russian Stout 4.215 out of 5 stars.

The brew is thick, rich, and pours black with a roasted, complex aroma of black currants, coffee, and anise.

Ratings on RateBeer are out of 5, and factor in aroma, appearance, taste, palate, and an overall score. "Experts" are defined by the Stanford University study as RateBeer users who are assigned the highest experience level based on volume of reviews and how their ratings compare to other "experts."Click here to learn more about the methodology.

#19 Bell's Batch 7000 Ale

This imperial Stout from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan was rated 4.226 by experts on RateBeer.

Brewed in honor of the brewery's 7,000th batch, it pours dark with almost no head and flavor undertones of vanilla and caramel.

Ratings on RateBeer are out of 5, and factor in aroma, appearance, taste, palate, and an overall rating.
"Experts" are defined by the Stanford University study as RateBeer users who are assigned the highest experience level based on volume of reviews and how their ratings compare to other "experts."Click here to learn more about the methodology.

#18 Bell's Hopslam Ale

Another beer from Kalamazoo's Bell's Brewery, Bell's Hopslam Ale is an Imperial/Double IPA beer that was rated 4.229 stars by RateBeer experts.

Bell's used six different kinds of hops to make this beer, which has floral and grapefruit notes.

Ratings on RateBeer are out of 5, and factor in aroma, appearance, taste, palate, and an overall rating.
"Experts" are defined by the Stanford University study as RateBeer users who are assigned the highest experience level based on volume of reviews and how their ratings compare to other "experts."Click here to learn more about the methodology.

At yesterday's Value Investing Congress, hedge funder Whitney Tilson laid out his pessimism about K12, a for-profit education company for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

"I know the company and the space well (K12’s primary business is running online charter schools), and it’s a VERY high conviction short due to the fundamentals (a company that’s run amok coming under increasing scrutiny) and the very high valuation (nearly 50x trailing EPS)," Tilson, who runs Kase Capital, wrote in an email.

"K12 reminds me of the subprime mortgage lenders and for-profit colleges when they were flying high – and the ending will be similar I believe," he said.

Strong stuff. Tilson shared his presentation with Business Insider.

Until now, amazingly, it wasn't possible to block someone from calling or texting your iPhone. Preventing a stalker — or any other other unwanted person — from reaching you meant calling your wireless carrier and making your case to get the number blocked.

With the new iOS 7, you can now block people from calling, texting, and FaceTiming you with just the click of a button.

Just go into your contacts, select someone, and scroll down to hit "Block." (See this screengrab, at right.)

It's almost too easy.

Join the conversation about this story »

Wal-Mart heiress Christy Walton is selling her Wyoming mansion for $12.5 million, according to real estate blog Trulia.

Located off the beaten path in Teton Village in Western Wyoming, the fully furnished home has 200-year-old reclaimed oak floors, tall ceilings, and hand-crafted Albertini windows imported from Italy.

The 2.45-acre estate not only houses the 8,600-square-foot, six-bedroom main mansion, but also a nearby summer guest cabin with two extra bedrooms that looks out onto the property's creek.

There's also a nearby three-car, heated garage and a heated driveway for all those cold Wyoming winters.

Now the 6th richest person in America, according to Forbes— and the 11th richest on its list of global billionaires— Walton is known for being extremely private. The mansion, which is currently listed with Christie's affiliate Jackson Hole Real Estate, is actually owned by a blind trust, but Christy Walton's name has appeared on building permits for the address, according to Trulia.

Christy Walton's mansion sits on 2.45 acres of property in Western Wyoming.

Source: Jackson Hole Real Estate

It has a creek that meanders through the estate, as well as wildflowers and rustic landscaping.

Source: Jackson Hole Real Estate

There are plenty of hiking trails and picturesque views.

Source: Jackson Hole Real Estate

Apple's new iPhones — the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C — will launch on September 20.

Apple only allowed pre-orders for the iPhone 5C. So that means if you want the iPhone 5S in your hands on Friday, your best bet is to wait in line at an Apple store or at your wireless carrier.

But if you just can't bare to wait in line, there are a few services to help you out. 

A couple that come to mind are TaskRabbit and WunWun.

First things first. Head on over to TaskRabbit.com. Type in your email and zip code to join for free.

In this case, you want to sign up to get help.

All you have to do now is post your task and specify how much you're willing to pay. You'll be immediately notified if someone takes you up on the offer. But there's no guarantee someone will take you up on the offer.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then that's a whole lot of 140-character tweets.

Since Twitter launched in 2006, it has grown to 200 million monthly active users and has become a hotbed for sharing photos. People have used the site to make news, break news, and spark social and political action across the globe.

While the service is best known for its text-based interface, it's the photos attached to them that have often propelled Twitter to the public consciousness.

These are some of the posted photographs that made an impact -- either in their influence, reach, or capacity to act as a milestone for the social media site that's now approaching an IPO. 

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey tweeted his first (and notably upside-down) picture through Twitpic on July 11, 2008. And so it begins...

The 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, led to Twitter's "coming of age." The site published an estimated 80 tweets every five seconds providing eyewitness accounts and updates about the attacks. User Nimish R Parekh tweeted this picture on March 30 with the caption, "Candle light march on marine drive in Mumbai."

When US Airways flight 1549 crash-landed into the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009, Twitter users broke news of the incident about 15 minutes before traditional news outlets. So many people tried to view this iconic image uploaded by Janis Krums that Twitpic crashed.

While Twitter's IPO is going to be a huge step forward for the company, its acquisition of mobile ad platform MoPub last week could be what makes the difference between a flat entrance to the market and a successful opening.

MoPub is going to help Twitter with its real-time bidding adtech offering, and it could lead eventually to an internal Twitter ad exchange or an external Twitter ad network. Twitter's revenues are likely around $1 billion per year.

MoPub, which is based in San Francisco, has a revenue run rate of around $100 million per year on top of that, and we understand it's profitable.

We had lunch with MoPub CEO Jim Payne recently and he let us show you these photos from MoPub's new office in New York.

The office, which opened in April, has a porch swing in a garden-like area dubbed "MoPorch."

MoPub account director Caitlin McGovern and senior account director Abigail Levine discuss work items on the MoPorch swing.

In addition to MoPorch, staff can hanging out or talk to clients in "the Pub."

A nationwide crime spree is coming: starting at midnight Tuesday, millions of cars will be stolen as part of a more audacious plot that also involves other mayhem. 

The source of the mayhem is the latest incarnation of the “Grand Theft Auto” video game series – either a cathartic work of interactive art or a brutal, Satanic murder simulator, depending on who you ask – which hits the shelves on Tuesday, Sept.17.

Check out the games we'll never forget »

The game, which puts the player in control of three ne'er-do-wells as they fight, steal, shoot, fly and drive their way through "one last job," has been a big investment for development company Rockstar, owned by Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO). Rockstar reportedly sank as much as $265 million into the project. This is $100 million more than the blockbuster crime/car-carnage movie “Fast & Furious 6,” and if true, would make “GTA V” the most expensive video game ever made. Other analysts have estimated that the game cost about as much as that film. Either way, it’s clear that the game is setting a new bar for blockbuster entertainment. 

“GTA V” also looks likely to become the most profitable game ever. It is slated to sell 24 million copies and rake in over a billion dollars, a figure that rivals successful films like “Skyfall” and “Iron Man 3.” In anticipation of its launch, shares of Take-Two Interactive have surged 60 percent since the start of the year.

There's no question that the face of gaming has changed. Back in the heady days of acid-wash jeans and gaudy tracksuits, most games were created by small production houses, with programmers filling multiple roles. Even as late as 2002, cult classic videogame “Max Payne” had its titular character modeled and voiced by its writer, Sam Lake. Fast forward to 2013, and the upcoming Quantic Dream title “Beyond: Two Souls” bills Hollywood stars Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe, with a score composed by the renowned Hans Zimmer.

Far from the pubescent, acne-studded nerd world of gaming in the '90s as portrayed in multiple cringe-worthy movies, most surveys now peg the average gamer as a thirtysomething year-old person (of either sex) who games to relax after juggling work, kids, and other responsibilities. The skateboarding, Mountain Dew drinking gamers of the '90s have grown up, and gaming has grown up with them.

It's hard to imagine anyone lining up at midnight for a cartridge of “Missile Command” or “Breakout.” Like it or not, games have evolved into a nuanced, artistically valid and profitable entertainment sector. Check out some of the steps in this evolution in our slideshow of 21 Video Games That Rocked The Industry.

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See Also:  Why Microsoft’s Xbox One Has Already Lost to Sony’s PS4

Pong (1975)

Though it’s always tricky to determine exactly where the line between pinball machines and electronic games begins, most people agree that the first real arcade game of note was this simple game of electronic ping-pong. Not only was it the first video game fad, it also brought video games into the home (three years after its 1972 arcade release), created the sports game subgenre and established Atari as a player in the market.

Zork (1980)

As it became more common for the average home to have a personal computer, video games were an obvious addition to the software library. Originally created by MIT developers, the text-based game used the PC’s then lack of graphic interface as a virtue, creating an interactive adventure that was entirely visualized in the players’ minds. Without it, there would be no “Venture,” “Zelda,” “Final Fantasy,” “Dragon Age” or “Skyrim.”

Pac-Man (1980)

Although it is best known for its huge sedans like the Mulsanne, Bentley insists it makes cars that are meant to be driven by their owners, not chauffeurs.

After spending a few days in the 2013 Continental GT Speed Convertible, we believe them. The GT Speed is a real driver's car, with 616 horsepower coming from a W12 engine, permanent all-wheel drive, and a quite fun Sport mode.

But we've had just as much fun driving in cars that cost a tiny fraction of this one. The GT Speed has a $238,700 MSRP; the well-equipped one we tested runs for $272,220.

So what do you get for all that dough? Here's a full breakdown of everything that comes standard (like the knurled gear knob and "seatbelt presenter") and the often superfluous options (try carbon fiber panels in the backseat and a neck warmer for chilly nights).

First off, let's acknowledge it's a great looking car. Not the sexiest we've ever seen, but it does a better job than most convertibles of combining comfort with performance.

Okay, standard features first. Hands down the best one: the W12 engine that produces 616 horsepower. (Enough to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.)

There's trunk space for two people's bags. The car seats four, but the backseat is so small, no one will tolerate sitting in it for any kind of trip.

Schools are constantly ranked on everything from the beauty of their campuses to their party scenes, but rarely on their students' intelligence. 

Exclusively for Business Insider, Dr. Jonathan Wai, a Duke University Talent Identification Program research scientist and psychologist, computed a new ranking of America's colleges and universities based purely on smarts, as shown by the student body's average scores on standardized tests.

Though these tests are often criticized, research shows that both the SAT and ACT are excellent measures of general cognitive ability, and the scores of a school's student body give an accurate snapshot of their abilities. 

Cognitive training company Lumosity took a crack at this last year, ranking more than 400 schools based on students' performance on brain-training games. There were a couple of problems with its list, however, as they only had data available from students who played the games, meaning some of the smartest schools got ignored, and there is no peer-reviewed research showing their games are a reliable and valid measure of smarts. 

Now, for the first time, we present the real smartest colleges in America (Read more about our methodology and reasoning here).

25. Brown University

Location: Providence, R.I.

Average test score: 1425 

U.S. News Ranking: 14

Lumosity Ranking: 30

These rankings are based on the average of each school's reported SAT scores (math plus verbal) and ACT scores (converted into equivalent SAT scores) of first-year, degree-seeking students in 2012 as reported to U.S. News. See the explanation of our methodology and reasoning here. For comparison, we've included U.S. News' overall rankings (which split universities and colleges) and Luminosity's ratings based on brain games.

23. Carleton College (Tie)

Location: Northfield, Minn.

Average test score: 1430

U.S. News Ranking (Liberal Arts): 7

Lumosity Ranking: Unranked

These rankings are based on the average of each school's reported SAT scores (math plus verbal) and ACT scores (converted into equivalent SAT scores) of first-year, degree-seeking students in 2012 as reported to U.S. News. See the explanation of our methodology and reasoning here. For comparison, we've included U.S. News' overall rankings (which split universities and colleges) and Luminosity's ratings based on brain games.

23. Bowdoin College (Tie)

Location: Brunswick, Maine

Average test score: 1430

U.S. News Ranking (Liberal Arts): 4

Lumosity Ranking: 40

These rankings are based on the average of each school's reported SAT scores (math plus verbal) and ACT scores (converted into equivalent SAT scores) of first-year, degree-seeking students in 2012 as reported to U.S. News. See the explanation of our methodology and reasoning here. For comparison, we've included U.S. News' overall rankings (which split universities and colleges) and Luminosity's ratings based on brain games.

With a sharpie and a stack of napkins, financial planner and personal finance blogger Carl Richards is on a one-man mission to save consumers from financial suicide.

Richards knows a thing or two about the subject.

Within a few years of purchasing his dream home in 2003, the housing crisis threw him into a downward spiral of debt. He lost his home and found himself living in his in-law's basement while he and his wife scrambled to stabilize their finances.

"The setbacks have taught me important lessons, including some that I've tried to pass along," he writes in his book, The Behavior Gap. "One of those lessons is that you aren't in charge of everything. You do what you can, and the relax."

These days, Richards is a staple on the New York Times' Bucks Blog, where he uses his clever napkin sketches to teach readers the basics of money. 

With his permission, we've republished some of his best drawings here.

"I coined the term 'Behavior Gap' to label the gap between investor returns and investment returns, and I started drawing the sketch you see here on every whiteboard I could find."

"Our natural reaction is to sell after bad news and buy when news is good, thus indulging our fear and our greed. It's an impossible strategy."

"The next time you're about to make an investment because you're sure you're right, take the time to have an 'Overconfidence Conversation.'"

New York City is a magical place in the fall.

There are crisp days perfect for walks in the park, hot apple cider from local farmer's markets, and football.

There are also tons of events and festivals, from the New York City Marathon to the Wine & Food Festival.

Autumn officially starts this Sunday on the 22nd, so get ready for the new season with our ultimate guide on what every New Yorker should do this fall.

Gorge yourself on sausages with peppers and Cannolis at the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, which ends September 22nd.

For a map and event schedule, click here >

Now that the weather is no longer stifling, slurp up a bowl of hot ramen from Ippudo with toppings like boiled egg, bamboo shoots, and pork belly on a brisk fall day.

For directions and a menu, click here >

Go apple picking at one of the gorgeous orchards in upstate New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey, where you can wander the grounds picking bushels of your own fruit.

Some good options near New York City include Applewood Orchards & Winery, Barton Orchards, Dr. Davies Farm, and Greig Farm.

For more suggestions, click here >

If current building proposals are any indication, New York's skyline is going to keep getting taller and taller.

For an idea of what the city will look like a few years from now, SkyscraperPage user sbarn produced gorgeous renderings of the city that incorporate current architecture projects. We first discovered them over at New York Yimbly.

To make the renderings he took existing photographs of the city's skyline, and enhanced them with future building proposals and ongoing projects, such as Hudson Yards, One 57, and the World Trade Center Complex.

Check out how dramatic the changes between now and 2020 are going to be in NYC.

Here's Midtown, the Upper West Side, and the Upper East Side looking south towards downtown Manhattan:

And here's what it could look like in 2020:

Did you spot all the new buildings?

Here's another look at present day New York looking downtown from northern Manhattan on the Upper West Side (via Flickr user pip_goat):

And here's what it could look like in 2020:

It'll look a bit different once Hudson Yards and One 57 are added.

DON'T MISS: The Best New Skyscrapers On Earth

Join the conversation about this story »

As deal hunters, it typically pays to buy slightly older devices in favor of tempting deals on newly released tech. But, of the aged and dated items we've spent money on, there are some electronics that are now approaching outright extinction and would make for silly purchases.

Some consumers may need the complete functionality of a point-and-shoot camera, for example, but for the majority of us, a smartphone already accomplishes everything we need.

So before you consider buying any of these items below, think long and hard about whether such a device is actually a redundant purchase and, thus, a big waste of your money.

GPS

When Google released Google Maps Navigation for Android it knocked 20% off the value of big turn-by-turn navigation players TomTom and Garmin in a single day. Since then, Google Maps has spread to other mobile platforms like iOS, and its accuracy and usability has improved.

So we ask, why would someone pay hundreds of dollars for something we all can get for free? Sure, there are weaknesses with Google Maps, such as the need for cellular service, but it is now possible to load up a map and directions before a journey. Standalone GPS devices simply don't offer enough extras to make them a worthwhile buy anymore.

Blu-rays Discs, DVDs, and Their Players

Where did you last see your VHS player? The garage? Or at a garage sale?

Really, who wants to clutter their house up with more junk that will end up in the garage in a few years? Instead, with a media player, a decent Internet connection, and a subscription to some streaming movie and TV show services like Netflix, you can dispense with the need for a DVD or Blu-ray library.

Collections are nice, but how many of your DVDs or Blu-rays do you honestly watch more than once?

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

The point-and-shoot compact camera industry is another victim of the smartphone revolution. As a separate device, you've got to remember to bring your compact camera along if you want to use it.

Moreover, most cameras require users to plug into a computer to upload and access photos, although there are a few wireless options now. And above all, basic compact cameras no longer offer better specs over smartphone cameras: the Nokia Lumia 1020 32GB Windows Smartphone ($149.99 with free shipping, a low by $49; 2-year contract required) boasts a 41-megapixel camera, and it's easy to share photos because it's connected to the Internet.