Sexy art directors, dumb thieves and the rest of the best business stuff this week

Here at Grid we spend a lot of time reading what the Internet has to say about business. Or, as journalists like to call it, “working.” Every Friday, we let you benefit from our diligence by collecting the most interesting and entertaining stuff we’ve encountered this week.

Is a minimum income what the U.S. needs?

I think no. Fairer wages, yes, minimum income, no. But Annie Lowrey at the New York Times lays out a convincing case for it without being overly political. And given that it’s something I would have written off as absurd from the outset, the fact that I’m thinking about it and writing about it kind of makes her case that there’s something there. Plus, the article does not miss the chance to point to McDonald’s business practices. Sarah Collins

Ventra’s parent company sucks for everyone, everywhere

This well-reported piece from Gapers Block details the depressing history of Cubic Transportation Systems, the ogre that birthed Ventra. Cubic has had a terrible time in London, Vancouver, Sydney and tons of U.S. cities, which makes it even more puzzling that the CTA is paying them HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. Matt Present

The art director’s new clothes

What does a closet full of grandpa sweaters say about my job performance? I was hoping for cool and artsy, but it could be saying something less appealing. “The problem with appearance is that it translates to performance,” says career expert Nicole Williams tells Business Insider. “Even if your boss doesn’t think that they’re thinking any less of you, they will subconsciously think it.” Guess that means I should return my massive new man-wrap. Rex Chekal, art director

What is the value of stolen art?

Stealing art can be a pretty decent business — billions of dollars of art goes missing every year. But these knuckleheads show us what NOT to do when you’re trying to unload the goods. Meg Graham

Why we no longer are what we do

I’ve always considered myself a journalist — mostly to excuse my extreme and lifelong nosiness. But looking around my group of friends, only a few have the careers they prepared for. Most have jobs of circumstance — bartenders, baristas and paper pushers. All of my friends have interesting hobbies that reinforce their sense of self, rather than relying on consumption and social media like the article implies. Still, it is pretty clear that the days of being your job are coming to an end for a lot of people. Sarah Collins

Why these Midwest millennials are choosing Milwaukee over Chicago

In many regards, it’s not surprising that Chicago’s not that popular with young people. It’s expensive, it’s competitive, it’s stressful. It’s grown too white collar, they say. The Atlantic Cities introduces some Chicago expats who say they didn’t have to go far to get a life. Sara White