News of the Day 10/16/2009

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Economics/Freakonomics/Geekonomics:
Bank of America having problems – Another big one in trouble. As I've noted – and quoted columns noted even more – we haven't flushed the toxic mess out of the banking system or instituted good regulations. Make sure your bank is stable (for peace of mind) and I don't see any real "green shoots" despite the Dow – too many troubles remain.

Ed harrison rips into the culture of greed and the need for regulation here and here. Interesting from an ethical view but also a Freakonomic view on the odd, and often contradictory things people believe regarding the economy. Read up, it'll make you think and possibly surprise you.

Tech startup execs seem more optimistic – Not sure if its delusion, adaption, or if things have gotten so bad now up is likely. Good news on the job front – and possibly the investment front.

Publishing:
Walmart is competing with Amazon in the online book space with a price war. Interesting to see. That's someone else nipping at Amazon's heels – but also means Walmart might enter some of the other areas (like ebooks) – which of course puts them in competition with very competent companies. More text wars, more everything wars, stay on top of this.

Social Media:
Why companies need to embrace social media and not ban it – and need to 'get it'. Food for thought for your company policy.

How Social Media is changing our daily lives – Not a throwaway article. It's got some food for thought and is good if you're a user or in the business – since the business will be expected to support these changes.

Technology:
Google says android adoption is about to explode – and pretty much gives away a major motivation – more mobile users means more searches, means more Google. Android seems to be doing well, and with Google's backing, well – it's a factor. Get used to it or even learn it (and I wonder for you develoeprs what tools let you develop/port for both iPhone and Android . . .)

– Steven Savage

Stereotype-Fu – Draw Them In

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As I have noted ad nauseum (and as we've seen ad nauseum), stereotypes often raise their heads in the business/career world.  We, being fanboys, fangirls, geeks, otaku, metalheads, what have you, can face some pretty annoying stereotypes in our professional lives.  Dealing with it intelligently is a way to both keep our sanity – and we can always turn it around to our advantage.

One of the oddest cases of being stereotypes in the work world, from an interview to a client discussion, is when the people stereotyping us FIT the very stereotype they're inflicting on us.  The person that jokes about you being a game geek themselves can repeat dialogue from Final Fantasy 7 verbatim (with voices).  The person that jokes about your body piercings has enough metal in their body to make a toolkit.  The person who snubs your taste in emo music listens to songs so depressing they're banned in several countries.

This is annoying.  This is hypocritical.

THIS is a chance to engage in some stereotype-fu and turn the stereotyping to your advantage – by connecting with the person in a way that changes their views and relations to you.

Read more

News of the Day 10/15/209

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Career:
Using your LinkedIn Status update effectively – Andy at Career Success shows how this simple update can be very effective.

Economics/Freakonomics/Geekonomics:
Housing market still uncertain. Water still wet.

Movies:
How Prince of Persia was pitched from game to movie – Interesting to see how it was done. Might give you some ideas . . .

Publishing:
Libraries are embracing e-books – Which may be a good sign for e-books in general, but you can bet libraries will want things pretty open. I wonder if they'll become drivers in the technology . . .

Google will open it's own e-book store – To say the least, things just got MORE interesting. Though lacking Print On Demand, and with their other limits, I don't know how much this takes from Amazon. Of course, if Google PARTNERED with a POD service . . .

Social Media:
A look at the X-Box's Social Media tools – Haven't had a chance to try them myself, butinteresting.

Video Games:
Why social gaming is ripe for an acquisition. Some good points here.

Nexon America reports 36% growth – To which I can say A) Wow, B) Send them a resume, C) I need to get my windows partition up to play Dungeon Fighter.

Digital distribution won't affect GameStop until 2017 – Says one expert. We'll see, as this is based on console concepts. Worth reading to know what people are thinking.

-Steve