Perception and Irony at Davos
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There was a distinct feeling at the World Economic Forum that private equity was not on the hot seat â at least not as Topic A among the worldâs economists and financiers.
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Deep differences surface at an EU meeting over proposals to coordinate tax policies across the European Union.
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An unlikely meeting of minds on an issue of global concern.
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By Munz, Tania  LORRAINE DASTON and GREGG MITMAN (eds.), Thinking with Animals: New Perspectives on Anthropomorphism. New York: Columbia University Press, 2005. Pp. vii+230. ISBN 0-2311.3038-4. Pounds 32.00, $49.50 (hardback).
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Here's one of those strange-but-true tales of irony that can elicit either humor or frustration - maybe both - depending on your perspective.
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Readers sound off on the latest headlines.
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Bill Gatesâs Davos challenge to the worldâs capitalists last week did not mention some important work that is already underway in developing nations.
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Things are looking up for once-beleaguered MicroStrategy.
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Watching various people get on an airplane to go to Hawaii to an insider invite-only Silicon Valley conference (on Twitter), and thinking about the various business ideas the valley is floating these days, advertising, and how valuations work, and how unaccustomed the insiders are at having their ideas challenged, I came to a few rapid-fire conclusions last night on Twitter. (One good reason to follow me on Twitter is I tend to blurt out things there that would get me in trouble here on my blog.) Twit #1: "I have a theory that 'user generated content' is a last-gasp of the regal outlook of silicon valley, where we're all chumps or slaves." (Before UGC we were just supposed to be eyeballs, consuming their shovelware, buying stuff we see in ads. They had to adjust their thinking when it became apparent that we were also interested in creating.) Twit #2: "The role of the tech industry is to create tools and players. To enable creativity, not harness and control it." (I think this is when it all works best.) Twit #3: "If you're scared to hear what people really think you're not prepared for the world you live in." (I finally figured this one out. The reason why so many people in SV say I can't be trusted (it's observable) is because I'm equally likely to say your product sucks as I am to say it's great. This is a culture raised on Gee Whiz editorial coverage, the adulation of MSM. When blogs came along they had to hear that not everyone thinks they're so wonderful all the time. Who would you hate most but the guy who pushed the tools that made everyone with an opinion so audible. And would you expect such a person to keep his opinion to himself? Heh.) Even though I think this, I know I'm actually full of shit... Guy Kawasaki asked me once why so many people say I'm not a nice person, when in fact I am. If I saw you on the street I'd smile and say hello. I stop when someone is in the crosswalk. Nothing makes me happier than making a tool that people enjoy. I try to listen to everyone, and I don't care how much money you have. I never answered Guy's question, but here it is. If you asked me why some individual person thinks something, I'd say you'd have to ask them. That's basic respect. Let people speak for themselves. If you ask me why 100 people think something, I'm even more clueless.  BTW, Guy and I weren't friends for a long time after being good friends for a long time. I much prefer having him as a friend, I missed his company while we weren't talking. He doesn't suffer fools, and he's the first person to question his own thinking if someone says he's wrong. I've seen him do it, and I was totally impressed. People like that figure stuff out. People who don't want to learn about bugs in their thinking go through life with a lot of bugs. Today, and beyond, everyone has great tools for saying what they think. If you can't stand to hear it, you're not going to like the future very much, sorry to say.
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Tim Harford writes that human beings are rational creatures who respond to incentives and rewards. No matter how bizarre a choice might seem, there is logic at work.
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As you read this, Iâll be winging my way to Prague, where Iâm helping facilitate a two-day CIO round table on IT in emerging markets. Donât worry â itâs not a boondoggle. Just an out-and-back trip (flying coach) â and Iâll probably be too jet-lagged to enjoy the beer.
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Analysis: Socialist Strauss-Kahn is a widely admired economic manager. Better to have him in Washington than heading up the opposition in Paris
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Practice makes perfect. Last year, the judges of the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) book award were feeling their way as they narrowed a list of 17 contenders down to a shortlist of six. This year, the process was quicker and the seven-strong panel - unchanged since the session last November that selected Thomas Friedman's paean to globalisation, The World is Flat, as the inaugural winner of the &pound;30,000 ($56,000) prize - came to it with a clearer sense of the kind of book that deserves to take the laurels next month.
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Remarks about the U.S. economy and its possible effects on the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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Bill Gatesâs Davos challenge to the worldâs capitalists last week did not mention some important work that is already under way in developing nations.
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Upcoming events around the world.
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Readers remark on nanotubes, counterfeiting the euro, personal homepages, and the word of the day: IRONY. Plus: Links to our most popular blog posts.