"with a new R8-based concept that puts the diesel to shame. The new e-tron packs four electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack with a fairly tame-sounding 313 hp but an insane 3,319 lb-ft of torque. The run to 62 mph takes 4.8 seconds, but rolling acceleration from 37-75 mph takes just 4.1 seconds thanks to the e-tron's massive amount of twist."
- clarke thomas
from Bookmarklet
Didn't the pres of Audi North America recently call the Chevy Volt a car for idiots and electric only cars cars for the intellectual elite? http://green.autoblog.com/2009... ? I wonder what spin will deal with this then?
- Brian Sullivan
I love that Bret, Paul, and Kevin checked in. They probably are looking at their screens and asking "what do we do now?" how about ship some new features before Facebook overlords take you off to do bigger things?
- Robert Scoble
from iPhone
I feel sorry for all you addicts. My use of it is purely social.
- Bruce Lewis
I do like FF and use it almost every day. Wouldn't it be great if FB either left it alone so we can continue to use it as "professionals," or somehow incorporate it into a more "mature" version of FB that didn't have all the annoying, time-wasting apps, games, etc. I'd much prefer a totally customizable FF "wall."
- Cathryn Hrudicka
I think FFundercats HO!!!!! would have worked but I'm here anyways.
- Jimminy Fuller
Actively fighting addiction to anything on a daily basis, but I'm still a FriendFeed fan! (I'd have been here sooner but I've been staring at Phoebe Cates pics for longer than I realized.)
- Mark "DerBingle" J
Thank you Robert Scoble to be here. :) BTW is this looks interesting for FF replacement? : http://streamy.com/ ? May be... I'll try it to see. :)
- Claude LaFrenière
Why should I? Whats in it for me? You doing some sort of survey of people to send out the police to do a "Safety Check" on when the site is shutdown?
- CW™
here. anecdote: a friend of mine just signed up for FF this evening. apparently the FriendFeed hype of the last 24 hours pushed him over the top. leaves me wondering whether FF has actually gained users today?it would be a crafty way of marketing the service. I'll wake up tomorrow to discover that there was a problem with the paperwork and the FriendFeed team have had a change of heart.
- JSLeFanu
from BuddyFeed
Count me in even though I was just starting to get hooked. I guess it's time to find a rehab and get all sobered up until the next relapse with some other new addiction. Isn't life grand?
- Usman Bashir
oh hey, look, the added an "add comment" link to the end of the comment list. Huzzah!
- Brett Kelly
from iPhone
++Jay. I was going to do the same thing yesterday but I didn't want to pay the money.
- David Cook
David -- this was a $9.95 session but you can get them for $7.95 and there are also 25% off coupons if you do online check-in prior to your Delta flight. That's an incentive for folks to use that service and offload kiosk use at the terminals. Very savvy marketing by the folks at GoGo and Delta combined.
- Jay Cuthrell
well, it's 12:12 a.m. and I'm perusing FF from my iPhone via BuddyFeed before turning in. so yeah, I guess I count. "Here!" (raises hand)
- Don Faulkner
from BuddyFeed
I recommend FF to some of my clients, and there are some companies and nonprofits with presences here—not like Twitter, but I'll be curious how that will be affected when FB takes over more. Most have FB fan pages, groups and/or causes, too.
- Cathryn Hrudicka
Yeah, me too. I just saw the request to have a comment link at the bottom of the comments from one of your friends just yesterday and here it is. I'd say they are listening. Thanks FF.
- Keith Rowland
И так чятег, пока Скобл не поговорит с нами представителями СовиетФрендфидика, все мои записи теперь можно читать в этом тредике. Пользуясь случае передаю Парню Бухайту и его команде большой привет, в связи с тем что [He can has sleep naw].
- ideali
превед кетаец! давай сегодня сделаем тебя счастливым!
- Махатма Бугоганди
точно! поэт, пародист, переводчик. известный блоггер.
- Махатма Бугоганди
я вчера был в издательстве, с меня сведения об авторе просят. давайте, говорят, напишем, где учился, что генеральный директор. и что известный блоггер.
- Махатма Бугоганди
а можно получить профессию известного блоггера? какие экзамены сдавать надо? какую специализацию лучше выбрать - микроблоггинг или аудиоподкастинг?
- Махатма Бугоганди
Один чувак пришол в чятег и говорит я известный блоггер кто тут тру на первый второй рассчитайсь. А ему говорят чувак у тебя сертификат есть что ты известный блоггер? Вот иди Зайке экзамен сдай потом приходи. А Зайка стоит такой с топором и улыбается. Щас думает счастливым его сделаю.
- Махатма Бугоганди
Я потерял интерес в данный момент. Я буду скрывать, как и любой другой. Это хромой, что вы захватили этот. Пивные правила. Спокойной ночи. :-)
- Matthew Horton
More than a friend of FriendFeed, was starting to use it as a full lifestreaming platform and loved it. It's made a whole lot of other sites make sense.
- achean
Hi, I'm Bette... I don't know if I'm an addict, but I can't stay away... I keep checking, just to see if something's new... and I cry if I get no responses to a post. Is that addictive behavior? :D
- Bette Cooper
Yup, I have blocked all the impersonators now. You will still see them, but I don't see them and they no longer can comment on any of my items.
- Robert Scoble
@scobleizer As far as I can see you have blocked not only the impersonators (who renamed themselves back the moment they found out you have a problem with this) but most of the folks who chatted there.
- Махатма Бугоганди
@meatreach yes, see next thread. Scobble becomes anti-Russian.
- Never Impersonate You
Maxatma: well, that's just too bad. I speak English. Sorry. People who don't speak English really don't have any business commenting on one of my items, except in rare cases.
- Robert Scoble
Why you, Robert Scoble, don't block users from Spain or Italy? China or arabic countries? Those users that comments on non-English languages?
- Never Impersonate You
@Robert, in fact they do speak English. But they also do make fun of Friendfeed and everything that's going on there. You can block them or take part in this fun. ;)
- Махатма Бугоганди
I prefer FF over twitter and facebook, but all my friends are on twitter and/or facebook. Maybe facebook will get it right this time now that it has acquired FF. If they simplify it a bit more without removing functionality. Then I would spend a bit more time on FB. Lets hope all goes well with the merger. If not I'm jumping ship and going over to Google Wave. oh wait, I'm going to go with Google Wave regardless! ;-)
- Captain Jack
Bu arada Russian friends Turkiye'ye selamlar gonderiyor.
- ideali
@scobleizer i can speak english and i beg you to remove bann from all russian friendfeeders, because we are all from it-community, working in internet companies and we came with peace, you asked for feedback from friendfeed addicts — we show you how really it is being frf addicts, we change names, we chat, we making things that are not serious. Why so serious? Unlock people, they are not bots, they just playing the game of real addicts and have fun. Common.
- ideali
shaun: I started this post to demonstrate that a lot of us are still here and aren't likely to leave. At least not quickly. So, life goes on after FriendFeed gets acquired by Facebook. Point proved.
- Robert Scoble
Robert He says ; Our Russian friends say to hello to Turkey
- Osman Üngür
ideali: have them send email to scobleizer@gmail.com and I'll unblock anyone who says they weren't impersonating me.
- Robert Scoble
Hector: good morning! I need coffee.
- Robert Scoble
@robert yes they (we will) stay here, I think tat the migration process will take time and after reading @Paul Bucheit, I think that what we all are trying to get even if we don't say it explicitly is to preserve a kind of intimacy (beeing a part of the Huge faceBook community) don't mean that FF community will preserve their intimacy, why should a community be a plan one, (let imagine a community as a set of sub-community) that all.
- abdellah
Wow!! So many likes and comments; is it a record Rob?
- میر «عرفان» موسوی
@scobleizer thank you, for understanding. be cool, guys we just want have fun here a little. Take care.
- ideali
@Robert RE "I have enough noise in my life. I don't need to have more" - isn't it a lot of noise having 26K subscriptions and 46K subscribers on your frf account? I'm kind of surprised - you create a community that large around yourself, yet when you see a new and unusual activity you just block it right away.
- Махатма Бугоганди
@Robert, patience? Who's talking about patience? It's about curiosity, not patience. When something strange and unusual happens around you, you can either try to stop it or try to see what it can develop into. You choose to stop - and it stopped. Well, not stopped - just moved to some other place. And do you really know what it was and what it was about to bring you?
- Махатма Бугоганди
I'm here all the way from South Africa! I dig this service and I'm not quite ready to give it up. Regardless of the news about the acquisition, this remains an awesome service.
- Paul Jacobson
I'm new to ff but find more valuable information here than anywhere else!
- Janet Crance
I don't know how I rate my addiction relative to others, but I shared Hitler's reaction upon hearing the acquisition news (despite happiness for Paul and Bret)
- Chris Duffy
I'm sure this is part of Scoble's plot to poll all the people who really read his posts, and unfollow the rest. So I raise my hand.
- Shivanand Velmurugan
Just a wannabe. Not an addict (yet).
- Carole Hicks
It might also be a way for me to filter down my "following" count (diff (my followers, scoble)) are the only people I really need to follow. Those that scoble follows, I can safely unfollow and use Scoble as my social media filter :)
- Shivanand Velmurugan
pardon the arrogance but it really sucks this great forum of sharing will turn into a myspace humdrum. Now I have to find another SM where first adopters and well informed techies won't haft to compete with general "noise"
- earl wallace
Well, here's a comment I can later delete and rob the owner of 1500!
- Matthew DeVries
I just mention the 1500 mark since it was such an iconic query to see... that and the 500 Likes club of FF posts. It's pretty exclusive stuff... but it's also sobering to note that the subject matter required to get to these levels isn't always a uniform mix of cares/concerns.
- Jay Cuthrell
When I heard the FaceBook news, I tried to quit FriendFeed and I couldn't... I'M HOOKED
- The Web's Wendell Wittler
i clicked the "1488 more comments" and my computer nearly exploded. and yes, i am using an amiga 500.
- jack
Now that I have instructions (thanks LouisGray) and figured out my Bookmarklet! I am LOVING the ease of use! addict - not quite...
- Robyn Hawk
Actually, I lied. I am not a die-hard friendfeed fan. I desperately want to be but have just not been able to get into a good "feeding" rhythm. Maybe I need to add some more friends
- Anant Gairola
I don't need to be addict. I'm just here, everyday, absorbing so many geeky info :D There's no place like FF
- Lysender
I'm still with ya, Robert. Whatever FB paid for FF, it wasn't enough!
- Donald C. Lindsay
New here, but learning. Tips for best use?
- Barbara Langham
@bdlangam From my perspective the #1 tip in this category is: Explore and define "best use" for yourself. Despite potential "finishing" impression of some productive consolidations in this collective-collaborative cognition space, the emergent #cognosphere is still WAY too nascent to assert anything other than initial impressions. March to the beat of your own drum; build your own...
more...
- michael silverton
yeah sorry, late. was at Shambhala Music Festival, I know tardy, sorry...
- sofarsoShawn
I'm getting hooked, still figuring it all out
- Michele McGraw
I think I do. Not enough contacts to make a impression.
- Michael Schlag
Shills for big tech companies might not actually be liberals? I think I'd disagree. The two aren't mutually exclusive in my experience.
- Ken Camp
There are plenty of people who work for big tech companies who are politically liberal and say good things about their employers. What exactly is the problem with that?
- Rachel Luxemburg
Yes Scoble is a shill, but you look like one -- so there's no integrity issue. It's people who say things that sound proletarian but are repping the corporations that should have trouble sleeping at night.
- Dave Winer
Rachel, that's not what I'm talking about. And no I'm not going to name names unless you're willing to fund my legal defense. :-) (And even then, forget it. You can use your own eyes and ears.)
- Dave Winer
Here's what shill means. http://www.google.com/search... Part of the definition is that you don't look like you're pimping. So Scoble isn't a shill, he's a rep. No integrity problem. Just don't believe him when he talks about Rackspace or their competitors.
- Dave Winer
Dave: I only say nice things about my competitors. Heheh. Maybe you are right!
- Robert Scoble
see here is where we always get tripped up with capitalism, socialism, and ethics. if we continue to make the connection between money and unethical or less than truthful behavior, then we'll harbor distrust. the compromise may well be in the beauty of social media, if we can accept the failings of others and they can improve on them. In that case it would be easier, perhaps even encouraged to me more truthful. Ego plays a role in this as well, deeper issue.
- Albert Maruggi
A shill? Is there inadequate disclosure? "A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services or a political group, who pretends no association to the seller/group and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...
- Tim Tyler
The level of ignorance is simply astounding. But what I mostly see are people who are afraid. Guess that's what you get after 7 years of fear mongering.
- Jim McCusker
people who are afraid are dangerous. they invade the wrong country.
- @baratunde
from twhirl
Since 2000 he's taken home almost half a billion. Congressman asks him: "Is this fair?"
- Thomas Hawk
They are quibling over the ammount. He's saying it's closer to $200 million, the Congressman is saying it's $400 to $500 million. Talking about his vacation homes, his helicopter commute, his art collection with million dollar paintings etc.
- Thomas Hawk
Congressman says "Wall Street privatized all the gains and socialized all the losses."
- Thomas Hawk
Right, because $500 million would be obscene, but $200 million is completely reasonable. *rolls eyes*
- Eric P
Eric: Now he's gonna say something about not being greedy.
- Roberto Bonini
CNBC: apparently he went to the gym after the bankruptcy failure at Lehman and someone knocked him out cold while he was working on the treadmill.
- Thomas Hawk
Any place on the net where one could watch this?
- Holger Eilhard
I suspect he either can't remember, he had no knowledge because his secretary really ran the company, claims Fortune 500 executive privilege, or can't say because it's a national security issue.
- Todd Hoff
He's not going to say much because there's litigation going on. Fuld seems to be implicating Hank Paulson may have misled him... or he's lying.
- Jim McCusker
Unfortunately they're going to get burnt for the, say, next 6 months, then he'll settle down with his millions... :( And the next person is probably already in line to do exactly the same.
- Holger Eilhard
Glad I'm not in his shoes. That's one major brow beating he's in for.
- Aaron Strout
"Qik has announced that its video streaming software will come pre-installed on Nokia’s just-launched 5800 XpressMusic touchscreen phone - the first deal of its kind for the still-young startup."
- Erhan Erdogan
from Bookmarklet
I wonder if Scoble still believes Kyte.tv will kill Qik & Flixwagon? He used to think like this back in June. Techcrunch article at http://icanhaz.com/ideaz
- Berk D. Demir
Berk: IMO Youtube deal will determine the end of live stream war.
- Erhan Erdogan
Berk: don't believe it ANYTIME someone says something will "kill" something else. That just means we think it'll be less relevant. Flixwagon is going to have a tough time, though, against Qik and Kyte. I'm using Kyte, by the way, but still like Qik. It's interesting to have two interesting companies battling it out.
- Robert Scoble
Youtube is now just a hosting platform with an open api. Any party can integrate with it like Qik did back in March. I don't think Youtube will hold a role of enabler or weapon in the competition of mobile streaming.
- Berk D. Demir
Berk: Click the image in my comment above - mentioning about 'Youtube web/mobile live streaming' with Qik substructure.
- Erhan Erdogan
@Erhan: So? It still doesn't change anything... Your mock-up image can seem cool to you but stop and think about the users. People hardly care about their beloved company's success and ability to transform. Anyone with the need of mobile streaming will easily go and find Qik/Kyte/FW... Think about Flickr, they enabled videos but did the long time Flickr users flocked to use it instead of YouTube or Vimeo? Probably not..
- Berk D. Demir
@scoble: i'm sure noone will be able to kill each other but Nokia and others in its league will do the dirty business on behalf of one. The situation is pretty similar with the raise of Internet Explorer. People will jump and use the readily available one on their handset. On the contrary to Youtube deal, the deal breaker is the hardware first. People hesitate to install software even if the alternative is much superior.
- Berk D. Demir
@scoble: ...that being said, although I was totally in parallel with your thoughts about Kyte.tv's visible tech superiority, the current partnerships and exclusive agreements in this particular industry made these parameters futile... What do you think?
- Berk D. Demir
Berk: what's ironic about the announcement here is that Nokia is an investor in Kyte.
- Robert Scoble
I really miss having Qik. Need to get a new phone soon.
- Daynah
Scoble: I was about to write this :) ...But you know, the start-up economy is crazy dynamic and things can chance overnight... I really don't know the portion of Nokia's invesment in their $15M Series-B but it's clear now they think employing Qik's platform will yield better in the middle-term.
- Berk D. Demir
Berk: I wouldn't read too much into it. Companies regularly get groups and other companies to compete with each other. It keeps innovation up, costs down, etc.
- Robert Scoble
Scoble: Yeah, that's a strong possibility too.
- Berk D. Demir
Jay: has Hillary lost a kid or a spouse? Has Palin? If they had and they did this they wouldn't have been crucified.
- Robert Scoble
If Palin did this, it would have "shown us that she's just like us" and that she's "a real person". The game goes both ways...I am sure we'll here about how it made Biden look weak tomorrow.
- cmiper
Jay, if Palin had done this, she would have at least got a sympathetic word from Biden...
- Johnny Worthington
Choking up because of your love of your country and choking up because of the loss of a loved one are two totally different things and should in no way be compared.
- ::Kristen::
I was shocked that Palin didn't even recognize his pain or address it all; worse yet, she just blasted out more robot-like canned spin phrases. Came across very callous and unconcerned. Totally selfish
- Susan Beebe
People who turn personal emotions into an issue should be crucified.
- jcunwired
I doubt it's a stunt. He brought it up for political purposes but does it choke him up to talk about it? Almost assuredly. Dead daughter, dead wife, two sons gravely injured with years of recovery ahead of them - that's what he faced in 1972 and it doesn't matter how much time has gone by.
- Rob Sterling
I thought this was the memorable moment of the debate. Both Biden's unrehearsed humanity -- and Palin's total tone deafness. She's not a Reagan or Thatcher, no matter how bad people want it.
- Chris Baskind
Sorry, I was referencing Jay's comment, not Biden.
- jcunwired
Biden is, I'm sure, a wonderful, sensitive, compassionate man. I think some of us are quite selective here about compassion, especially in regards to Sarah Palin (and Hillary Clinton). My comment stands. How Palin reacted is another issue.
- Oldengrey (Jay)
Jay, first point is context. Palin had just made out that because she was a mother, only she understood the problems parents face. This wasn't contrived, and the worm thing at the bottom shows that voters didn't see it this way either
- Duncan Riley
No I'm sorry Jay, your statement still doesn't stand. If Palin had lost family memebers in a similar circumstance then your comment would at least have some sense of stability but becuase you, by inference, imply that Biden chocking up was a political stunt, no dice!
- Johnny Worthington
I got a bit of whiplash as Palin headed in - like a bulldog- after this touching emotional bit. It made all of her other references to his family, wife, etc. kind of scripted and cold. If she'd realy been that sympathetic she'd have responded nicely
- anna sauce
I wonder if she realized the association to his family tragedy...
- Jason Carreira
Jason: she should have, because she reads all the newspapers and they've talked about that part of his life recently.
- Robert Scoble
she reads all the newspapers which is tons more than Robert Scoble reads, so she should have at least seen that story at least, i dunno, 1,614,234 times since second grade.
- Nathan Eckenrode
Nathan: come to think of it, it would have been very impressive if Palin had answered that question by saying "I'm reading hundreds of RSS feeds so I can't name them all." :-)
- Robert Scoble
yes, i would have spit my cereal all over teh screen if she had said that.
- Nathan Eckenrode
Biden hands down - Stronger + Smarter - Nice Contrast to Palin - Bill Maher said it Nicely too Palin is a Moron + a Religious Kook!! ;)) Good Riddance Bush + McANUS + Brainwashed Flock!! ;)) Peace*
- Billy Warhol
I like Biden. and that was why I do. he did a fine job tonight. Palin just did a better job. That said Palin has been through plenty of family tragedy. She is a kewl chick and I'm really looking forward to either Biden or Palin being president some day.
- Noah David Simon
Billy - you're a credit to your party and exhibit all the best qualities your fellow Democrats possess. Next time, use more expletives or references to body parts, and I think your point will be better understood.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Wow, as reality slowly sinks in, the lonely right gets mean. It's going to be a long month.
- jcunwired
Palin did not need to respond to this and if she did, you all would just say she wasn't sincere anyway.
- David Ward
David a) yes she did b) no I wouldn't. It speaks more what one doesn't say then even empty words.
- Johnny Worthington
It's interesting to see logic that an ill remark by one can then be attributed to an entire group. Applying that elsewhere - or anywhere - is extremely divisive.
- AJ Kohn
Obama's legal team: Joe Sandler sandler@sandlerreiff.com of the Washington law firm Sandler, Reiff, and Young If Mr. Sandler's name sounds familiar it Should. He is the Legal Hit Man for the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR is an organization with terrorist ties, and has been as an un-indicted co-conspirator in the Holyland Foundation Hamas Funding trial. this might be the death rattle for Obama
- Noah David Simon
So, for Palin, are we saying that all is not lost? Or was it a total let down?
- Roberto Bonini
If Palin had said something similar, it would be prudent to fact-check it first before tearing up, as she appears to be a pathological liar. http://tinyurl.com/54fujw
- Rick Powell
Hopkins? Generalizing? Divisive? Prone to smears? No!
- Rick Powell
Rick & AJ: It's not that I'm being divisive, I just at some point in the last couple of weeks got tired of the Obama sheeple here on FriendFeed. You guys broke my spirit of fair play. I'm no longer willing to cut any of you any slack. As I said before, I think Obama and I could have a really civil discussion on the issues. You Obamanauts? Intolerable most of the time. You guys generally have no shame and treat others beliefs and ideals like crap. I guess you could say I just lost respect for most of you.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
I have on occasion shared items critical of Obama, including a review in the Economist of Fredosso's book. I've criticized his reversal on wire-tapping and retro-active immunity and obviously don't see eye to eye with him on gay marriage. I'm no Obamanaut, whatever that is.
- Rick Powell
I've also said before, long before his Presidential run, that McCain the senator was someone I could vote for. McCain the candidate however, seems to be a pod person. And Palin? I'm sorry, but she's a joke. Her selection is a farce. She's a pathological liar to boot. I reserve the right to be condescending to anyone who takes her seriously. I'm still waiting for a reality-based defense of their candidacies. Something other than smears, Mark.
- Rick Powell
Look at my history, Rick. I've not been guilty of smearing anyone. I don't spread unfounded rumors. I do, however, show no respect for people who resort to ad hominem towards the candidates or the candidates' supporters, regardless of which side it is. On FriendFeed, all the ad hominem comes from people like you (Fanatical Obama supporters - or Obamanauts), who *smear the candidates* with unfounded labels like "pathological liar." You are the type of person I detest.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
In fact, I dare you to comb my history anywhere for a pejorative label like that where I've called any candidate something like "pathological liar." I disagree with policy matters on both sides (mostly with Obama, obviously but a number of issues on the Republican side as well), but never once have I applied an unfounded label like that to the candidates. The supporters who like to use words like that, I'll now attack without mercy because they've shown they aren't worthy of my respect.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
It's not just a pejorative tossed out for dramatic effect; it's the truth. http://tinyurl.com/54fujw Palin is a demonstrable liar. She seems to simply make stuff up as she goes, and some of it is flatly untrue. Here's a new one to add to the list: http://tinyurl.com/3vexqf I guess she can't help herself. She's a know-nothing who's never even thought about serious issues - she heard about the surge "on the news." And THIS is McCain's first serious executive decision?
- Rick Powell
And sorry, but you have a long history of broad generalizations and smearing, such as when you assumed that every Obama supporter would like Soderbergh's Che Guevarra biopic, without even having seen it yourself, or asking anyone who had. Called on it, you're unable to admit what you've written is a smear. And there's all the rot about midwesterners. Etc, etc. So yeah I know you're history. Add to that name-calling, "you are the type of person I detest," blah blah. And my rhetoric is extreme?
- Rick Powell
Rick: once again you've proven you're the very thing you accuse me of. "All that Rot about midwesterners..." Generalization, much? You smear and misrepresent my opinion on the biopic. Methinks you don't understand (like many of your comrades) the meanings of the words you use (like pathological. also, liar.). Worse than just a mean partisan, you're apparently a moron. The only other explanation is that you use words to exaggerate your case in the cynical belief that those "less intelligent" masses ..
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
...will be fooled. And we all know .... it's only the Republicans that do that.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
"This has nothing to do with free market capitalism. This has to do with a managed economy, an inflationary system, corporatism, a special interest system. It has nothing to do with a failure of free markets and capitalism."
- Mona Nomura
Go Ron! He's been talking about this for years. The market will correct this. Government should just be there with money to help protect the people that are going to get hurt.
- ·[▪_▪]·
I find it interesting when people like to isolate systems and stand them up independently. Saying that free markets, when left "alone", do not influence, modify, meddle with government is an idealistic fantasy. Even though I'm a "free market guy" I'm leery of anyone who ideologically espouses "pure free markets" or "unfettered free markets" because they lose sight of the fact that they do not exist in a vacuum. Markets and Govt's are fundamentally connected and influence each other in myriad ways.
- mikepk
free markets are transparent. the current interbanking shadow financial system is NOT transparent
- ray
ray, we deal with the messy reality of markets. Perfect free markets assume perfect transparency AND perfect information on the part of all participants. Neither reflects reality. It's analogous to the old Churchill quote, it's a terrible system, except when compared to all the others.
- mikepk
ron paul - a real libertarian calling out the majority & minority - while mccain plays blame game ... where is obama? biden? time for presidentiality to meet truthiness (credit to colbert)
- Scott Moskowitz
thks for the aide memoir :) add immoral and irrational to messy too. my real point was - it is an ideal (this may sound strange) but ideals are essential for design and serve as a tool for razor sharp strategy. my experience is limited to cds markets, but if this particular market had a clearing house (which is difficult practically - but not impossible - an ideal) - a lot of the problems regarding this particular market may not have not have happened
- ray
Market fundamentalists are as vicious as religious fundamentalists. That said, the market needs to resolve this issues. The government will just make things worse by stepping in with a massive bailout.
- ·[▪_▪]·
Ron Paul is one of the few who sees the big picture and follows the money all the way back to the root cause. Unfortunately not enough people listened to him when he predicted all this years ago, but maybe more will now.
- Alan Cheslow
Shame he's generally completely insane, isn't it?
- Alexander Carlill
Ron Paul is hardly insane. Libertarian views, in my opinion, just won't work. It's an ideal but will fail practically. The only chance people will listen to Paul about this is if we don't get a bailout. If the bailout eventually happens, we're simply propping up failures effectively saying let's keep practicing the same crappy economics that got us into this situation in the first place. We need to tackle the hard problems and top just putting on more band aids.
- ·[▪_▪]·
little more than messy imho. when the next step in the panic could be a be the mother of all bank runs - as it may now happen - a total meltdown of the US financial system could occur.
- ray
The decline of our economy, the restrictions on our freedoms, and the increase of dictatorial centralized government policies are proving that the principles which Libertarianism opposes have failed. Why would you say that Libertarian views don't work when they have exactly predicted the state we're in today?
- Alan Cheslow
@Alan, there's never been a truly free market anywhere in the world to validate the libertarian claims either. But in principle at least, we should strive to minimize government except where needed to protect individuals and to protect the commons.
- LogEx
perfect capitalism = no profits (best price, service, selection not profitable) / libertarianism depends on how you define the network of one - you - legally & in terms of the law how/when it conflicts with the commons - again, political capital is the most *expensive* kind - pick your definition of "expensive" vis-a-vis individuals &/or society - age old & unanswerable - perhaps
- Scott Moskowitz
I'm a Dem, but its a shame someone this intelligent didn't make it through the Republican primaries. Talk about "straight talk"
- Jim Goldstein
I hear nothing here that Obama has not said, although he may not totally agree with Paul's solution re the bail-out. I've also heard that Paul is opposed to freedom of choice for women and against gay marriage, and other social positions I would not be able to support. I wonder where he stands on healthcare, education, the environment, and other areas that are really crucial to the majority of people. We need MORE than a one-note candidate—someone whose only focus is on the economy, the internet, or war.
- Cathryn Hrudicka
It is so much more effective with the clips... Wouldn't it be great if they allowed multimedia in the debates?
- Clare Dibble
This is how every debatable issue should be remixed. Without memory, and thankfully we have written media and "now" internet to help us out in this domain, humans would be reduced to ad swallowing, nay-saying consumers with an attention span of an earthworm.
- Nenad Nikolic
from twhirl
This shows how McCain was wrong, but doesn't show how Obama is right. The same thing could be done that shows how Obama was wrong about the surge and the connections between Iraq and Afghanistan. This is just as useless as any other debate fallacy, because it's completely one sided. Except it does it with multimedia. To that end, stop patting yourselves on the back. You look stupid.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Mark: Everyone makes mistakes, but McCain refuses to acknowledge his mistakes. He has bought so much of his own "maverick" PR that he lives in his own fantasy world, where everything can be referenced to war and where its OK for an air-head like Sarah Palin to be one step away from leading our nation. McCain is dangerous and he simply should not be allowed to assume the leadership of this country by repeating one lie or half-truth after another.
- Rob McNair-Huff
Republicans always do that. When you say their guy fucked up, they accuse your guy of doing the same thing. It's totally predictable. They must teach it in the first day of Republican Orientation.
- Dave Winer
As does Obama. Has he yet said he was wrong about the surge? The same things can all be said about Obama, and a simple YouTube video could prove that, too, but my guess it'd be called "swiftboating," which is apparently the defense you use when you're a Democrat and a video shows your candidate in a bad light.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
@Mark: Because the surge was a bandaid that didn't get us much closer to getting out. Obama has said the surge has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. It doesn't mean the surge was the right thing to do. The bailout might be successful in many ways, but it still doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.
- AJ Kohn
@Mark - okay...why don't you make a video then instead of huffing and puffing? If you only 'talk the talk' but can't 'walk the walk', well, then, I'm afraid you are the one who looks stupid.
- Steve just Steve
mark...of course obama said he was wrong. he said, 'the surge exceeded beyond my expectations.' remember mccain said that like 4 times during the debate and obama said, 'yep, i said it.'
- Admiral Anika
dave, the thing is that most of us have been raised knowing that two wrongs don't a make a right. many hardcore GOP partisans clearly weren't.
- Admiral Anika
Note that the surge, as successful as it's been, has still not won us the war.
- Victor Ganata
Believe it or not, I'd be willing to vote Republican if they just ran better candidates. In this case the ticket is not only not strong (McCain), it is extremely weak (Palin), and they are running against a competent and smart ticket in Obama/Biden. But what frustrates me is Republicans who keep defending a weak ticket simply because of party affiliation. Republicans *should* be pissed as hell right now; but rather than lashing out at their opponents, they should fix the problem with their own candidates.
- DeWitt Clinton
I agree DeWitt. Ironically, I would have considered McCain in 2000, but this isn't the same guy. I thought Kerry was weak too. Leagues better than Bush, but still weak. But Obama? The first time I have been excited... maybe ever. :)
- Dion Almaer
DeWitt, totally agree. I have voted Republican, but always in lesser-of-two-evils mode. Obama is the first Presidential vote that I make in my life without such a reservation.
- Dave Winer
@Steve: re-read my original comment and try that accusation again. I said "his is just as useless as any other debate fallacy, because it's completely one sided." Look, it's not like I ask you folks to read an entire Federalist paper or something long and complicated. Just a couple sentences to read before you try to argue with me.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
@faboo: Saying it succeeded beyond his wildest expectations and admitting he was wrong are not the same thing.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
@AJ: If you don't understand why the surge was the right thing to do (and should have been done from the beginning, as McCain wanted), then your understanding of foreign policy and conflict strategy is far too limited to participate in this debate.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
@Mark: *chuckle* So are you going to explain why the surge was the right thing to do or simply insult me? I mean ... really, this is your debate tactic? Also, that's not even the argument! You've missed it entirely. The argument was about not admitting error as a proxy to one-sided political dialog - of which I provided a cogent answer and analogy. You chose to argue the point of the actual surge instead. That's another topic.
- AJ Kohn
Defenders of the Iraq War are unable to explain why it has made sense for Americans to dump several trillions of dollars down the drain in Iraq with the effect of installing a Muslim fundamentalist regime in that nation that is closely allied with Iran. This is the stupidest foreign policy blunder in American history. The "surge" is neither here nor there in making this disaster go...
more...
- Sean McBride
The surge is a tactic, not a strategy, no matter what McCain says. And while it has decreased violence, that doesn't mean we've succeeded. We're still no closer to winning the war. If we can't withdraw those troops without the whole place caving in, then ultimately we've failed.
- Victor Ganata
Victor -- McCain has made it clear that he doesn't understand the distinctions between tactics and strategy.
- Sean McBride
Could everyone please make an effort to stay respectful and kind? When that doesn't happen people start calling for an end to all political discussion, which would be bad. When that happens the mainstream media get to frame every issue.
- Bruce Lewis
@Victor: I've gone ahead and set your comments to hidden from here on out, since you can't be bothered to look up the difference between strategy and tactic. @AJ: My prior statement stands. Again, I'm tired of folks who don't understand their world speaking as if they were experts on everything. Maybe i'll see you both in November when I unblock everyone.
- Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
@Mark: (If you see this) I'm sorry you don't wish to have a real debate. Done appropriately, it is the way we gain better understanding of topics and of each other. I'll take up the strategy v tactic though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... Now, in my mind the surge (adding more troops on the ground) was a means to an end (pacifying insurgents/security) to achieve the objective (Iraqi autonomy). Perhaps you see it differently?
- AJ Kohn
I've been involved in several discussions and "debates" with Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins now in which he has made statements which are factually false, and then quickly retreated when the factual errors were pointed out to him. He is aligned with a group of neoconservatives and religious fundamentalists in the room Conservative Oasis in which this kind of behavior is the norm -- they can't defend their ideas in fair, open and democratic debate. They always retreat after two or three exchanges.
- Sean McBride
You can never get promoters of the "surge" to talk about the costs and benefits of the Iraq War policy as a whole -- their minds go into lockdown mode the instant the issue is raised. They are unable to think strategically. Bush 43 and the neocons are spending trillions of dollars to secure Iran's control over Iraq. Massive fail. They have essentially wasted American resources and lives to promote Muslim fundamentalism in the Middle East.
- Sean McBride
Mark - I'm with just about everyone else here. I need facts, or at least some modicum of explanation as to your logic, rather than repeated sound bites. In that regard, please hide all of my comments as well. No need to unblock in November, but I will leave that up to you.
- jcunwired
If you can't effectively defend your beliefs in fair and open debate, and subject them to fact checking, reality checking and rigorous logical analysis, there is a good possibility that your beliefs are wrong. Fair and open debate is the heart and soul of any healthy and functioning democracy. True believers who can't handle debates usually are strongly attracted to authoritarian and totalitarian political systems.
- Sean McBride
"Debate" by blocking: Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins, Jay Tannenbaum, Akiva Moskovitz, Soulhuntre, Mark Tefft -- sorry if I left anyone out. One issue seems to unite them: an emotional commitment to neoconservative military aggression in the Mideast. They stand to the right of even the Bush 43 administration. Neoconservatism is more a religious cult than a rational political philosophy.
- Sean McBride
I try not to box people into labels. I can only say that, in this instance, Mark chose to insult and then not engage in debate. I'm sure it's difficult for many conservatives on FF who get called names by other 'left' leaning folks. I make an effort not to do that. I would think it would be a nice change to find true debate instead. So, running away from it seems odd.
- AJ Kohn
I've seen Hopkins do this three or four times now, and his political allies in Conservative Oasis do the same thing many times as well, so I have drawn the logical and reasonable conclusion -- they hold emotional beliefs that they can't defend against exercises in reality-checking. This is the same political group that promised us that the Iraq War would be a cakewalk and cost Americans...
more...
- Sean McBride
Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins is a *self-admitted* shit-stirrer (see http://rizzn.com/blog...) with a pathological habit of saying stupid things he can't defend. Take a block from him as a high compliment.
- Karim
Being a contrarian is fine, but you've got to be a smart contrarian. If you keep losing chess games after three or four moves, and then out of frustration send the chess pieces flying and refuse to play any more games, you aren't much of a player, contrarian or otherwise.
- Sean McBride
I would be so sad if Pandora went away. :(
- Jennifer Leggio
I spent a year running an internet radio sation/social networking site - it's really tricky to make this work. I hope they do it (I couldn't)
- Iain Baker
We need to contact our congress people. The National Association of Broadcasters issued a petition to thwart the progress that Pandora, Sound Exchange and the RIAA came to right before they were getting close to having hope.
- Jennifer Leggio
i would certainly do something, if i was in the USA. sorry, pandy....
- Trent Olson
You can do something. Spread Jen's post. Let it be heard from the rooftops, your weapon is friendfeed, Delicious, and blogs. Your weapon is your mind. So stand up and fight! Let it be known who you support! Take up your weapons weather it be your blog, or friendfeed, or chatting with other people and let it be known what is going on. It doesn't matter if you live in the USA or not we all have weapons and we all should use them. SO LETS FIGHT!
- Colide81 (James)
Bump. Now that the debate is over, maybe bumping this will be noticed more. Come on people doesn't anyone care about Pandora? Doesn't anyone care to fight for something we all like on the net?????
- Colide81 (James)
Damn, I gotta call someone!! I figured there would be a link. Is there?
- Steve Sebestyen
Thanks for all the help!! - Lucia, from Pandora
- Pandora Radio
:-) Fight fight fight! Use your weapons to spread the word. Call your congressman, get out and pound the pavement for Pandora.
- Colide81 (James)
from fftogo
THE BILL JUST PASSED! Now, on to the Senate.
- Pandora Radio
Jim, not saying that it did. It was just an observation on them both as the debate finished (at the time) Obama warmly went over to Michelle, McCain just sort of looked rubbery and with strings attached when approaching Cyndy
- Duncan Riley
You all are forgetting why he can't lift his arms above his shoulders. He's a POW and got jacked up in prison. Walk a week in the shoes he wore for 5 years then comment again.
- Josh Haley
Josh, no one said a fucking thing about his arms, so get off your high horse, or fuck off out of my stream.
- Duncan Riley
McCain was definitely going back to his talking points all night. Obama 'seemed' to be talking off the top of his head. Probably a credit to his preparation.
- Jim McCusker
The United States is suddenly faced with the uncomfortable scenario of confronting the very same weapons and military hardware, including F-16 fighter jets, it has armed Pakistan with for decades.
- Duncan Riley
from Bookmarklet
...luckily, they are equipped with remote detonators...
- Jemm
detonators a bit too obvious but how about a remote "gremlin" chip they can activate from Langley on any weapons system we export outside of NATO...just a thought
- Live4Emma (L4S)
Just understand that the F16's sold to Pakistan are not at the same level of 'features' of the US F16's. Realize too that the F16 is US built, and we know how to defend against them should the need arise. Don't think for a moment that companies like Lockheed Martin & the military haven't already planned for this.
- Jim McCusker
US is not in position to shoot down Pakistani F-16s. Pissing Pakistan off, would translate into Pakistan switching sides in conflict, not good for USA. Just imagine the havoc and reaction it will create. Plus US Forces food/fuel is supplied from Pakistan.
- imran
imran - Take note of the location of Qatar relative to Pakistan.
- Jim McCusker
Jim: Pakistan has heavily armed/trained half million troops, US is no position to open new front in Afghan sector, USA has no option but to back down. And Remember it was Pakistani ISI who planned Afghan ops to defeat Soviets.
- imran
@ Greg: A middle-way is needed. Approach must be economic, political, social and lastly military. But right now its all military stick solution.
- imran
someone has to counter the lies put out by the mccain campaign. are you seriously ok with them lying about her history with earmarks, lying about visiting iraq, lying about the bridge to nowhere, lying about selling the plane on ebay? those are objectively false statements being repeated by mcpalin after being called on it repeatedly.
- @baratunde
I can't say that I'm surprised by this. Apple continues to control their platform and so far their users seem to be loyal to this concept.
- Jim McCusker
What? I don't support this, but I'm not terribly vocal because I don't have an iPhone.
- flammable
Start leaving random comments for the apps in the app store expressing your opinion.
- Ernie Oporto
I felt the same way after they won and still continue to compare the allure of Twitter to the story The Kings New Clothes. I just don't see it...
- Jim McCusker
Maybe we (fotonauts) would have won if we had not been disqualified from competing for the prize due to my conflict. CNet did a ranking of all companies at BOTH Demo and TC50 and placed us 2nd.
- Keith Teare
from feedalizr
Fotonauts was one of the other sites that got a lot of hype, but I can understand the "business model problem". Yammer winning just felt like a letdown after all of the hype for some of the other sites.
- Rob Diana
Now this could be the story. Was anything else better and by what rules do we determine better. Yammer seemed to me to be very investor friendly but I didn't see everyone.
- Roger Kondrat
Roger, I was surprised that Dropbox did not make the final list. They had a lot of coverage, and Swype sounded like the winner based on the rave reviews they received.
- Rob Diana
The question is, what do we DO about everything sucking?
- deusdiabolus
When everything sucks it's time to check the spirit being brought to things. Everything doesn't suck. Perhaps a more open heart would brighten the world a little?
- Todd Hoff
just hoping the rest of america sees it that way.
- tiffany
The more I think about it, the angrier I get at the cynicism and contempt for the public interest of this choice. The notion that Palin is qualified to be president is completely absurd. McCain and campaign know this, know that Palin would be out of her depth by a mile -- and nonetheless decided they were willing to put the country (the world, really) at dire risk because the voting public might just be stupid enough to elect this ticket.
- Ian Wilker
from twhirl
Good article Baratunde. Did you also notice how McCain never mentions that his father died at the age of 71? Just something else to consider every time he uses his mother as some kind of proof of his life expectancy.
- Jim McCusker
Jim I didn't know that about McCain's dad. Look, most of yall know I'm partisan as hell and probama, but I can be mad reasonable. This Palin choice is absurd, and I was shocked to see the Economist come out swinging against McCain. They've generally been not so hot on Obama and pro McCainish, but even they can't bear the idea. That is revealing
- @baratunde
You know it can't be good when even Fox News is upset with the lack of access to Palin. I'm sensing a train wreck coming... time to get the popcorn...
- Jim McCusker
And w/ that comment I'm following Ian Wilker. :)
- Ayşe E.