April 2009
101 posts
This is “Strictly Rule” by Vetiver. I...
TasteSpotting →
Described as “a community driven visual potluck”, this site recommended by Fred Wilson of AVC internet fame, is an amazing recipe site and one that I no doubt will be digging into more deeply. While I remain a Barefoot Contessa devotee, the variety really is astounding.
Beyond Folk Activism →
This is thought provoking stuff, I don’t have an opinion just yet on it as the provocation was recent and I don’t yet know how I feel. I do know that I also enjoyed Peter Thiel’s response “The Education of a Libertarian.”
I think Libertarian’s big problem remains their overactive brains, which frustrate against the inefficiency and irrationality of the world....
Globalism Goes Viral →
Good stuff from D. Brooks today. Just another reminder to not let our banks get bigger, time to decentralize this system.
Smashing Pumpkins Offer Subscription To Recording... →
Interesting ideas from the Smashing Pumpkins on fan engagement.
Shanzhai Phones and the US Car Industry
Networked manufacturing doesn’t just serve the incumbents. Fascinating production innovations and consequent business model readjustments coming out of China.
continuations:
The New York Times has a fascinating article today about “shanzai phones” in China. These are knockoffs of existing brands but often come with interesting enhancements, such as support for multiple phone numbers and...
Public Ad Campaign Takes Over Illegal Billboards... →
this is very cool. Will have to check out soon.
The Fetishization of Boldness →
This is a fantastic reminder that there is a time and place for everything. In a time of extreme financial distress in which risks are obscured in the darkness, it makes little sense to go for broke at the risk of breaking. I prefer our goverment to be risk averse, so that private enterprise can take the risks. If it’s properly strucutred (i.e. break up oligarchic financial institutions)...
This is “Word Play” from Wale and a...
Why the Grateful Dead live on →
Great article on the Dead and their prescient innovations around fan/band interactions. Innovations that are just now starting to reveal themselves as the essential component to long term profitability.
I am really happy to have Bandwith working with this amazing group of artists.
The Dangers Of The Drinking Age →
I know that Colgate has long been involved with the Amethyst Initiative and I think it is a good thing. There must be dialogue around the minimum legal drinking age, it has become such an anachronism. While I think responsible drinking and the total elimination of drinking and driving are hugely beneficial targets, they should be targeted without the baggage of an artificial constraint....
Just 53% Say Capitalism Better Than Socialism →
This is kind of a silly poll, since American’s have only lived in a capitalist society and really have no conception of the tradeoffs of socialism…still it’s a bit disconcerting that our more aggressive politicians might take this as a policy cue.
My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-4-26) →
That Jefferson Quote Newspaper Journalists Always...
This is terrific and also a reminder of why newspapers alone are not the authority.
jayrosen:
This is what Jefferson said:
“The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to...
Redefining Urban Art at the Auction House →
I’m a huge fan of street art as it seems to dispense with the overthinking and focus instead on powerful visuals that command attention. As someone with a simple mind, but an active eye this style fits me perfectly…interested to see how it evolves.
How Much Is Killing Mark-to-Market Worth To You? →
The next line is “about $4.4 billion if you are Wells Fargo”. Seems a little bit crazy no? I mean that’s an awful lot of money that is being generated by an excel spreadsheet.
What is the value of excel to banks with mark to market suspended?
The Real Pirate Bay - Umair Haque →
Fair warning, I understand the legal reasons for the prosecution of the Pirate Bay dudes, but as you scope beyond the details and get to the root motivations for their respective destruction of value, it starts to get blurry.
One group was fined for succumbing to Schumpeter’s creative destruction, while the other has been rewarded for denying that same fundamental business principle....
WatchSaturday Night Live: Hot Tub Lovers
Amazing.
The US Government: Over-engineering for... →
My favorite quote:
“You now have CEOs of TARP recipients rattling their sabers saying that they want to return the funds, shortly after printing historic trading gains off the backs of US Government debt guarantees and TARP funds.”
Great article, definitely read through to get a sense of why this tactical crap from our government is not enough. Systemic problems require systemic...
This is Ida Maria’s “Oh My God”...
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose low-key after stunning... →
This dude rules. Looking forward to Game 2.
Iran's President Slams Israel, Prompts Walkouts →
Does the UN do anything more than legitimize destabilizing regimes and give demagogues a platform? I don’t get the point of the UN at all, it is the most compromised quasi-political organization going.
Finally, the anti-semitism coming out of Iran and it’s legions is completely absurd…someone please explain the point of this.
My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-4-19) →
This is John Vanderslice’s “Letter to...
Google's Top Salesman Ditches the Company at Its... →
Seems to me that when opportunistic moneymen start bailing then the easy money is gone. Tim Armstrong and now Omid Kordestani. Google will continue to be massive, but what is the next revenue accelerant, clearly it is beyond the reach of these two.
Is It Iced Coffee Weather? →
How to Look Like a Grown-Up While Biking to Work →
I guess this is a good thing, though the way these folks are preening makes biking a little ridiculous. With that said, the Dutch use their bikes all the time and I think this is an overall great thing. I’ll tolerate fashion absurdity, so long as it gets more people riding.
Is Anyone Else Getting Tired Of Watching Taleb's... →
Great stuff from the Dealbreaker crew. Between this and their evisceration of Mr. Spitzer on non-hooker issues, it’s pretty clear that Dealbreaker is a must-read for head clearing honesty, in these times.
How to Use Twitter at The Office →
For all my friends, whose jobs don’t allow them to be prolific web services users (like myself) and who should look busy…but want to share stuff over Twitter. Your salvation has been built. It’s a Twitter client that looks like an excel spreadsheet. Now get twitting.
On the Front Lines of the Topshop Brand →
Topshop flies in the face of the sustainability movement, brands like Howies, the move towards quality extolled by Monocle and possibly Umair Haque’s high standards. However, I find it fascinating and a good addition to the NYC’s shopping madness.
Having watched my wife adjust her inimitable style to leaner times, I think there is real value in TopShop and it’s dispensable...
Greg Mankiw's Blog: Hoover did it! →
“What - or Who - Started the Great Depression?” - Click the link to find out the answer to this provocative and timely (Card Check anyone) question. I think it’s a must read.
This is Phoenix’s “Love Like a...
Crime and Corruption: Recognizing Unethical... →
Curious as to why the music business is crumbling upon itself? Do you really think artificial scarcity and monopolistic control of distribution channels is a good thing (Wall Street, looking at you)? Then read this article about music luminary Clive Davis’ dealings with the dark side.
The Internet is not always a force for good, but it is a force for transparency. That is a good thing.
WatchTom Brokaw Reports From The Dawn Of The Internet
Big Profits, Big Questions →
I mentioned this earlier, but hadn’t seen this article. So apparently this change in Goldman’s fortune’s is unsettling a few others. This is just not good at all. As an entrepreneur this oddly oligarchic mix of governement and business makes me queasy.
Ridiculous Playlist for Mellow Rock Hipsters →
Downloaded a bunch of tracks from this playlist and would encourage you to listen and perhaps do the same.