Last night in my econ class, I introduced students to the “amateur” v “professional” debate by talking about the 2007 Super Bowl, the first time any major brand had engaged fans in a contest where the winner got a Super Bowl slot. At the time, the contest spurred discussion of “professional” versus “amateur”. Note that most of western science in the 1800s and even early 1900s was conducted by, you guessed it, amateurs.
Monthly Archives: October 2009
Twitter Search Gets FriendFeed Look
Twitter search now has a FriendFeed-like boost that will enhance its usefulness while providing context: you can see a “conversation”. This enhancement suggests Twitter isn’t going to roll over and play dead even though Google and Microsoft are elbowing their way into real-time search. It also shows us how many Tweets are one-offs (not conversations), but that’s another story.
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Quick Thoughts on Google Wave
I just posted this to my motorcycle/geek mailing list. Really quick, high-level thoughts. I’m working on some tips posts. Continue reading
Can Someone Explain This Math?
Goldman Sachs bonus pool estimated at $725,000 per employee
This week, business reporters told us that Goldman Sachs 2009 third quarter profits swelled, compared with 2008, to an estimated $3.19 billion. The bonus pool stands at $16.7 billion, and, by the end of the year, it could hit $23 billion, according to reports. However, Goldman reported first quarter profits (net earnings) of $1.81 billion; second quarter, $3.44 billion. Thus end-of-year net earnings should be about $11 billion.
How can bonuses be twice as much as profits?
Thinking About “Free”
I had not thought about the long-term viability of advertising until Tuesday night’s Net Economics class. I think in my lifetime ads will not disappear, but they will continue to change. Maybe we’ll have more sponsored content, like early radio (and PBS), instead of interruptive adverts. And there will be more “free” content like Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2009 Emmy, wikipedia).
Three tidbits that I’m keeping in my toolbox to help explain what’s happening today: Continue reading
