politics

How High-Profile CEOs Could Revitalize the Libertarian Party

Carlos Watson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500

If the two-party system is ever going to be seriously challenged, this is the moment. The GOP, the stall-tactic party, is reeling. The Democratic administration is struggling to turn around the economy. And across the country, creative, engaged folks are increasingly feeling politically homeless. More Americans consider themselves independents (39%) than Democrats (33%) or Republicans (22%) -- and the gap is widening.

Infographic of the Day: A Chronology of the Gay Marriage Debate

Cliff Kuang — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:59:23 -0500

Even if you're up on the news, the present state of the debate over gay marriage can be confusing at best. The LA Times has created an infographic to help. It is not a particularly well-designed graphic, but it's chockablock with information, and has links to the relevant news stories.

Infographic of the Day: The 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index

Cliff Kuang — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:48:34 -0500

Transparency International has just released its 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index, the preeminent, annual study of governmental corruption levels around the world.

The Biggest Stories of Our Time, Visualized

Cliff Kuang — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:15:50 -0500

Branding the '09 Political Races, and Rebranding the Tainted Republican Image

Cliff Kuang — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:04:20 -0500

Since it's election day, let's play an election-themed guessing game. Each of the following screen shots is from the Web site of a politician up for election today. Can you guess their party affiliations?

Bob McDonnell, running for governor of Virginia:

Creigh Deeds, McDonnell's opponent:

GOP.com Fail, Now With Extra Failsauce

Cliff Kuang — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:20:53 -0400

The New GOP.com Socks It to the Commies

Cliff Kuang — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:57:02 -0400

"Notice anything different? It's the new GOP.com! It's a forward looking, open platform for the party of new ideas. The new Republican Party!"

So says Michael Steele, the RNC chairman, in a video that plays across the newly designed homepage of the RNC: "If you're a Republican activist, this is your space, for your voice!" Then, he does a little shimmy: "Express yourself!"

Cheney Still Kicking, Starting Consulting Firm With Family

Chris Dannen — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:22:31 -0400

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his two daughters are rumored to be starting a Washington, D.C. consulting agency to advise political clients, reports the Washington Post today.

Can Social Networking Change Our Political Consciousness?

Kit Eaton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:12:04 -0400

Twitter, Facebook and the many other social networks that have emerged are reminding us exactly how small the planet is, and how seemingly mundane or personal issues (where you live, what you feel) have all kinds of ramifications.

Negative Space: The Inside-Out Illustrations of Noma Bar

Cliff Kuang — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:15:05 -0400

Noma Bar, an Israel-born illustrator based in London, tackles politically charged issues with eloquence and wit; his subjects range from Iraq to corporate greed, and his work appears regularly in The Economist, Esquire, Wallpaper, and The Guardian. He works by honing the negative space of a drawing, so that it adds nuance to the dominant subject he’s depicting--the meaning snaps into focus only after a split-second. His best work gives you the feeling of a light bulb, popping in your head.

Sandy Hutchens Remembers Blood, Sweat and Tears

Sandy Hutchens — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:51:03 -0400

It is almost 70 years since this great speech was uttered in the British Parliament. Winston Churchill had just become prime minister. Sympathies were still with Neville Chamberlain. This speech was the his biggest step to leadership greatness:

On Friday evening last I received from His Majesty the mission to form a new administration. It was the evident will of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties. I have already completed the most important part of this task.

Infographic of the Day: Income Inequality Around the World

Cliff Kuang — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:28:38 -0400

Happy Birthday, Carly Fiorina

Clay Dillow — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:00:00 -0400

Happy Birthday, Carly Fiorina! We’d ask you what your birthday wish is, but you’ve already made it abundantly clear; you’ve got your eye on Barbara Boxer’s Senate seat in 2010, and why not? You’ve certainly got the credentials. While your dismissal from HP was, er, less than smooth, you were Fortune’s “most powerful woman in business” for seven years running, until discord on your own board allowed E-bay’s Meg Whitman to dethrone you.

Illustrations That Speak Loudly, Without Screaming

Cliff Kuang — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:43:44 -0400

The graphic designer Noma Bar tackles some of the most hotly debated issues of our time--including oil politics, global warming, and corporate greed. As an illustrator for The Economist, Esquire, Wallpaper, The Guardian, and others, he has to summarize sprawling issues in a single image. His strategy: Using the negative space of an illlustration, to drive home the stickiest points of a conflict.

Fast History: Barack Obama Accepts the Democratic Nomination For President, 2008

Clay Dillow — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:05:15 -0400

It’s been a tough first year for the bringer of hope and change. Though only in office for seven months, Obama’s been shouldering the hopes of a nation from the moment he entered the presidential race. But after passing a controversial stimulus package, the economy is still a shambles; unemployment is up, markets are cautious, and the deficit is not looking any better than before. Worse, his critics have been relentless, accusing him of race baiting, generational theft, socialism and even throwing like a girl. But you have to cut the guy some slack.

The Global Food Crisis

Fast Company Calendar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:00:00 -0400

Even as Americans talk about flab (see July 27), 15% of the world is going hungry and food prices in most developing countries are higher than they were a year ago. Profiteers are a problem; speculation on food prices has replaced speculation on mortgages, claims political scientist Susan George, author of How the Other Half Dies: The Real Reasons for World Hunger.

Five New Rules for the Photoshop Era

Jamais Cascio — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:58:24 -0400

Hoax birth certificates. Faked movie posters. Imaginary computer products. It's become ridiculously easy to create passingly-believable hacks of just about any image. The same will soon be true of video.

White House Economic Advisor thinks Google Search is Evidence that Economic Plan is Working!

jer dunlap — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:26:27 -0400

Since fewer people are searching the words "economic depression" - the White House believes that - is proof their plan is working. Maybe everyone stopped searching "economic depression" and began searching Monster, Career Builder, words like "unemployment benefits" or they had to sell their computer!

Gavin Newsom Wants to Be Governor of California. Would You Hire Him?

Ellen McGirt — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0400

Gavin Newsom wants to be the governor of California. Eventually. "But not now!" he laughs ruefully. "Let me wait until next year. Who the heck wants it now!"

Tweaking a Dictator, With a Remarkable Ad Campaign

Cliff Kuang — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:13:29 -0400

Internet Vigilantes Lend a Hand to Iranian Protestors

Cliff Kuang — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:05:31 -0400

The Dark Side of Twittering a Revolution

Jamais Cascio — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:50:41 -0400

The emergence of Twitter as a heroic enabling technology for the pro-democracy demonstrators in Iran this past week has been a thrilling reminder of the power of distributed communication tools. I'm impressed at how useful this simple application has been shown to be, and at the clever hacks the Iran-based commentators have employed to stay online. As so many tech pundits have said, this has been a golden moment for social networking technologies.

Iranian Government Not as Tech-Savvy as Its People

Kit Eaton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:45:08 -0400

Need one more reason to cast a suspicious eye over the doings of the incumbent Ahmadinejad government in Iran? Well here is one, and there's a fascinating sting in the tale--turns out the government isn't as tech-savvy as its people.

Check out this image--it's supposedly of a pro-Ahadinejad rally in the election aftermath.

Iranian Reformist Protestors Tweet on Despite the Government

Kit Eaton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:11:44 -0400

Amid the confusion and accusations of Iran's election, the people of Iran are using technology to coordinate protests and voice their anger--despite the government's attempts to block their efforts.

Getting the Facebook Generation Out to Vote

Dan Macsai — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:53:38 -0400

DoSomething, headed by Fast Company columnist Nancy Lublin, has recognized four young social entrepreneurs with $10,000 grants--and one with a prize of $100,000. Fast Company will profile one of these enterprising youth each day this week.

"Who slew Goliath?"