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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by eliot2000 on 10/05/08

I know, the title: sensationalist or just plain inaccurate.

But, the hosts of a podcast called “This American Life” really do do a good job of breaking it down for everyone to understand.  So yeah, if you have an hour, just listen to it.

You’re not tired of this topic yet, right?

Original Description:

Got an hour? This week’s “This American Life” podcast has a compact and comprehensive description of our current crisis, from credit default swap knitting, to the collapse of the commercial paper market, that normal people can understand. It might change your mind on the bailout. Or not.

read more | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by scotsboyuk on 10/02/08

If there was a nuclear attack, what would our government say to us?

Actually, a better question would be: would we even be listening?  Just the very announcement that there was a nuclear attack could send everyone scattering for basements and bomb shelters.

The National Archives released a script from the 1970’s that was to be broadcast by the BBC after a nuclear attacks.  It even included guidelines as to how the person should deliver the news -  “authoritative and comforting.”

All I can say is: lol @ “stay calm and stay in your own homes.”

Like anyone would listen.

Original Description:

A script written by the BBC and the government to be broadcast in the event of a nuclear attack has been published.

read more | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by cactusflower99 on 10/01/08

Note: at the time of me posting this, it still has one hour left before it expires.

The headline is good.

It was submitted in the correct category.

The description is great.  The submitter even summarized it in his/her own words.

The source domain?  The Economist.  It’s a reputable publication and this will be the second time I post an article from their site on this blog.  Both articles are about the Financial Crisis and respective government bailout… erm, “rescue plan.”

Considering the current condition of global economies, stock markets, and financial institutions, I would think the Economist would have more success on Digg.

I checked; their articles are submitted on a regular basis. But, look at the low number of Diggs they get.  They don’t hit the FP very often, and when they do, it looks like it’s due mostly to the submitter.

Guess they’re not HuffPo.

Original Description:

The Economist published a thought provoking article on the way bankers are currently paid and what can be done to prevent the head honchos from walking away with short-term gains without any repercussions from the future fallout of their decisions. These “head honchos” should be paying the US taxpayers back with their ill-gotten gains.

read more | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by Manshuv on 9/26/08

Here’s an article that was definitely a victim of the Digg system and not the content.  With all the attention everyone has been giving to the Bailout, it’s a shame more people did not read this one.

Proponents and opponents of the bailout have been trading words on Digg for some time now.  One of the best purveyors of articles on business and economy published a very unbiased and balanced review of the proposed bailout.  Also, one of the most detailed and well researched.

Original Description:

This is a very in-depth and detailed analysis of the bailout.

read more | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:Entertainment, FAIL, Gaming, Lifestyle, Offbeat, Science, Sports, Technology, World & Business

This is an open call for writers.  We need you.  The original concept of highlighting stories that should have been on the front page of social media sites but that didn’t quite make it is starting to lose steam.  We will continue to do it, of course, but we want more.

Lots more.

We want this site to spark the interests of the readers out there who want more from a blog.  There is a distinct need to expand on our successes and bring this blog to the next level.

It has done well so far.  It achieved a PageRank of 4 in a relatively short time without unnatural link-building.  The traffic has been wonderful and we have seen 3 of our posts hit the front page of Digg, including one story that had over 3000 Diggs.  Our subscribers are moving up nicely and consistently, but still… Read more…

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by jstohler on 08/17/2008

Submitted for your approval, one economics professor with the uncanny ability to peek into the future and see horrible economic events unfold.  A man labeled a pessimist and ignored by his peers.  Soon, however, he will be listened to as his predicted events unravel before everyone.  It’s a story that can only happen in: The Twilight Zone.

Sorry, the photo and the story (mostly the photo) brought to mind images of Rod Serling and old Black and White Twilight Zone episodes.

If you haven’t heard of Nouriel Roubini, you should read this.  He was initially dismissed as a “career naysayer” and had his predicitons dismissed due to lack of using “mathematical models.”

Many of his predictions, however, have come true.  And, his peers are starting to listen to him.

Original Description:

He predicted the current economic crisis, and he says things are going to get worse.

original story | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted by Blakovitch on 08/10/2008

It’s the mainstream media, so give them some time.  They’re slow to catch up to things.

They fear the web.  The speed at which content can be delivered is instantaneous; the consumer can actively shape and control their experience; mostly, anyone can publish to it.

It’s the complete opposite of old media.  Content is delivered on a set schedule.  The experience and the order of consuming the content is controlled by the broadcaster.  And, only the few elite have editorial control.

Instead of going with the flow of change and adapting, some media outlets are still attempting to control the web.

Original Description:

In the age of Twitter and YouTube, crowds are driving the media agendas. We decide what is news as long as “we” now includes every sentient human with access to a mouse, a remote or a cellphone.

read more | digg story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted to Digg and Propeller by DigiDave and to Reddit by spif on 08/04/08

If not an immediate yes, the question, at the very least, should make you think.  And, it seems it had, given the amount of commentary for a post which garnered only 75 diggs.

Perhaps a better question is just how relevant should the life of the common American be to our political leaders.

Consider, as mentioned in this NY Times article, Bush Sr’s reaction to a price scanner in a supermarket.

Or, a more serious occurrence, when presidential hopeful Giuliani was questioned on the price of some common grocery items.

I’ve listened to the concerns of others about the direction of the economy.  The college students fearing a paltry job market after graduation; the middle class parents upset that they can not satisfy every desire of their children; and, the working class parents who have to choose between life’s necessities, not its luxuries.

Granted, one person could never truly understand the wide range of experiences of Americans.  But, what should that person know?  And, what do we do about the experiences he or she does not understand?

Original Description:

McCain is the analog candidate. The self-described “Neanderthal” of the Grand Old Party (emphasis, old) has been catching flack for admitting that he is no techno-geek. He not only did not invent the Internet, he can barely use it.

read more | digg story | prop it | reddit story | social media blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted to Digg by israeligirl 8/5/2008

What really makes this interesting is the perspective.  “The Conflict is in the Mind” is how the story ends.  In essence, it is also how it begins.

The premise is that if students in Israel were to take the Quran, the sacred religious text of Islam, and find positive psychological affirmations and teachings, then write stories of how they relate to life, then they will learn that the hatred associated with their “enemies” can be abated.  On top of this, the instructor delves deeper into the psychology behind each story and gives a practical psychological correlation to it as it applies to today’s world.

Thus, Quranet was born.  It is receiving press from both sides of the issue.  The video is worth the 2:20 that it takes to watch it and ponder.

Original Description:

Quranet is an online attempt to highlight the humane parts and preaching on the Quran. Trying to bridge the Islam and the western world and values.

watch video | digg story | front page stories blog

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• Category:World & Business

Submitted to Digg by GetSmartGal 8/1/2008

As a leader in the world of venture capital, Guy Kawasaki is often followed and mimicked. Often times, his advice and subsequent directions are often misleading. Tiger Woods may be a great golfer, but he may not be a great golf instructor (though I doubt anyone would pass at a chance to learn from him).

In this case, the goods are delivered in a short but involved description of how to think visually to accomplish project goals.

Visual Thinking Part 1

Visual Thinking part 2

Original Description:

In the venture capital business, many people think that a short pitch is thirty slides and a short business plan is fifty pages. My how they are mistaken. The more slides and pages that you need to explain your business, the less likely you will succeed. The best pitches and plans require nothing more than one page or a picture to explain them.

read more | digg story