News and Analysis

We’ve lost H.R. Geiger this week.  A true original.

Career:

• Social media is used by HR people.  You will be evaluated, so take down that picture of you with the beer bong.

Economics:

• Malls are dying.  One expert predicts we’ll loose up to half.  I certainly know two in places I used to live that were just plain demolished – and I’ve seen the upscale swing as well.
• California Mayors seeking tax breaks for films.  You know what that means if it works . . . and the possible local implications.

Greentech:

• 75% of German energy is from renewables.  75% percent.  If the U.S. and other countries ever jump on this bandwagon (and may not have a choice as the reality of climate change sinks in) there’s a place to direct your career.

Technology:

• Samsung is turning to drugs – as in adding them to their portfolio.  I got nothing.
• Tell the FCC what you think of their “Net Neutrality” proposal.

If you hadn’t heard, the FCC’s new “Net Neutrality Rules” aren’t.  So you may want to catch up on what’s going on.  Feel free to express yourself politely but firmly.

Comics

• Young women fastest growing comic demographic.  Hints at markets, market changes – and that they need to be acknowledged.

Culture

• Crowdfunding is set to explode.  Well, explode further.
• Bronies may be propping up Hasbro.  Friendship is profitable.

Employments

• New website to connect veterans and jobs.  May be worth looking into – and maybe getting involved.

Law

• Arrested for slashfic writing in China. Allow me to note there is plenty of gay erotica in Chinese history.
• Russian social media baron flees Russia.

Publishing

• How paperbacks changed how we read.

Technology

• A look at 3D printing’s growing acceptance.  It’s going to take time, but it is growing.
• AT&T expanding fiber optics.  Good for us – and may have job opportunities.
• Facebook powers half of all social logins.  A good reminder of how much power they have.

Video

• Netflix against Comcast/Time Warner Merger.  Understandable.  Sounds like a fight . . .

Anime and Manga:

• Princess Jellyfish to get live adaption in Japan.  Really unsurprisng, but I think that this could spawn interest in America on the property.  Scott, you know what to do . . .

Culture:

• Hatsune Miku to sing with Lady Gaga.  Further acceptance of virtual stars – and fanfic fuel.

Economics:

• Long read but a worthwhile one: SF’s Housing Crisis Explained.  Explores the issue with depth, history, and coherence I’ve not seen elsewhere.
• The tech selloff in the market isn’t something to worry about.

Media

• Cracked is there on 5 types of movie adaptions that need to be stopped.  Lots of good points on our trends.

Publishing

• How Amazon’s acquisition of Comixology will change things.  I still want to note that this combined with Amazon Worlds gets real interesting.
• When Barnes And Noble’s CEO sells off a bunch of stock I worry.

Technology:

• Google is eyeing office space in New York.  Might be opportunities for you!
• People are hacking AWS accounts to do bitcoin mining.  Check your billing.
• Amazon looks to have a smartphone coming.  No, we’re not surprising, but let’s see what it does.

Video Games:

• Tax credits in Georgia for video game companies.  May also open some opportunities.