How to Look Good in a Recession

Rip Empson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:46:10 -0500

We're all a little shorter on that liquid capital than last holiday season, and our calls to the bank for a credit limit increase aren't being returned. Here at FastCompany.com we've devised a solution for holiday shoppers who still want to look like a millionaire without having to go broke. Yep, here are 8 great things that you can rent.

The Curious Case of Manny Ramirez

Rip Empson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:35:04 -0500

Comment on Node ant

Rip Empson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:34:10 -0500

It doesn't seem that online video is cannibalizing TV, but according to TV Week, digital media companies, especially web video, will still be getting a lot of VC money in 2009. I think that this shows that a lot of people truly believe in online video's growth potential, it's simply a matter of figuring out how to monetize it. Web video still gets a puny amount of ad dollars compared to just about every other medium. Though ad dollars are shrinking across the board, it seems those who invest don't feel that web video is worth the money yet. But it's only a matter of time.

Comment on Node ant

Rip Empson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:01:50 -0500

Brendan, if a tree falls in the woods on a scalper, and no one is there to hear it, does anyone care?

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Rip Empson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:31:18 -0500

I doubt the music industry is going to embrace unauthorized file-sharing as a form of marketing. Does that really make sense? I don't think so. What I do agree with is Masnick's concluding line: "so many folks in and around the industry view [the movement towards free] as a problem rather than a huge opportunity." What has frustrated me so much has been the resistance the music industry has shown since day 1 to free music and file-sharing. The industry has only recently started to do what they can to take advantage of the digital revolution. It honestly reminds me of the auto industry.

Innovation and the Obama Presidency

Rip Empson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:11:18 -0500

During his presidential campaign, President-elect Obama was quoted as saying, “America risks being left behind in the global economy: Revolutionary advances in information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and other fields are reshaping the global economy. Without renewed efforts, the United States risks losing leadership in science, technology, and innovation.” Unfortunately, the numbers corroborate words; American Federal investment in Science and engineering research has been cut in half since 1970.

Innovation

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Rip Empson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:23:45 -0500

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, has repeatedly expressed interest in buying Yahoo's search business, despite saying publicly that Microsoft had no intention of pursuing a deal. It really just seems inevitable now that Yang is gone and Icahn and Chapple are in charge that some kind of deal will take place.

Google Brings Voice to the iPhone

Rip Empson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:22:06 -0500

The New York Times reported Friday that Google will be launching a new application for Apple’s iPhone that will allow the phone to understand the human voice. Finally catching up with the likes of Yahoo and Microsoft (who already offer voice services for cellphones), Google has taken another step toward becoming a serious player in the smartphone and advertising industries.

Real Change in Washington: Obama Announces Plan to Update Fireside Chats

Rip Empson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:10:17 -0500

Reports that Obama plans to bring the President’s weekly “fireside chat” into the new century surfaced this weekend. The president elect plans to not just offer the chats on the radio, but on YouTube as well.

Comment on Node ant

Rip Empson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:13:18 -0500

Relativity my dear Watson, relativity. For our collective national sanity, I refuse to believe that the $700 billion bailout was akin to pouring money into a dark (potentially bottomless) pit. I refuse to believe that. No matter what Hank says about "how well our bailout is working" (remember how well the White House said Operation Iraqi Freedom was working?), our economy has a pretty serious "boo boo" right now. And it's probably safe to say that the Economics Department at the White House didn't fully understand the genesis and magnitude of said "boo boo".