Market Responsiveness

It exists! So, NetFlix conjured up a harebrained scheme to split its business in two. Apparently, this was "unpopular" with the customers. So, what does NetFlix do? Well, because NetFlix is not a political party, they do not barrel onwards in the face of popular dissatisfaction. NetFlix has cheerfully withdrawn the idea, and will carry on as before. When a movie rental business is more responsive than a "democratic" government, you may have a problem.

Because I Am A Bad Person...

I don't really care very much about the death of Steve Jobs. Don't mistake this for lack of compassion for the suffering he endured, or for his family's grief, or for the grief of those who knew and cared for him. Despite his reputation for being a serious asshole, their suffering is real, and I take no joy in it. But the massive outburst of praise and emotion is something to which I cannot relate. I think this is in part because I reject the "Great Man" theory of history. Sure, Jobs was an innovator. He may or may not deserve the title "genius." [P.S. - after looking at the definition, he almost certainly does.]

End Of An Era

The space shuttle had its final launch today. I'm too lazy/busy to look it up, but I'll bet there have been important gains made from the program. That said, here's how I feel about it.

 

Sister killed her baby cuz she could afford 2 feed it
And were sending people 2 the moon

You see men sailing on their ego trip,
Blast off on their spaceship,
Million miles from reality:
No care for you, no care for me.

Why Glenn Beck Hates Google.

Glenn Beck's latest conspiracy theory is targeting the search-engine-cell-phone-basically-everything-you-use-on-the-computer giant Google. Apparently, the company is slowly turning American youth into godless socialists or something. Alternet has an interesting write-up explaining the real motivations behind this seemingly random theory he has developed. Ruper Murdoch? Glenn Beck? Steve Jobs? What's not to hate?