News of the Day 7/1/2009

Economics/Freakonomics/Geekonomics:
Was the US debt problem caused by trying to keep up with the effects of wealth concentration?  An analysis of a much headier read.  If the author's information bears out, some social shifts will be needed.

Anime:
Crunchyroll gets yet another simulcast.  We haven't had any Crunchynews, and they just keep going - and no rivals so far.  I'm wondering when even more VC gets poured into them because they know what they're doing.  I saw this as a user.

Publishing:
Ganett lays off 1400 people - 3% of their workforce.  It's been relatively stable on the news/publishing scene lately, so not sure if this means a new wave or if it's an isolated incident.

Social Media:
A look at how social media maps to communications.  A heady read.  Take it slow, but it makes some good points.

Facebook makes some changes to privacy and settings - and some twitterlike additions.  Facebook seems to be continually evolving, and this appears to be done to make communication - and indexing - easier.  Note that with vanity URLs, etc. Facebook seems more than glad to take cues from other social media, which may explain their success - but also suggests what is the norm in social media . . .

Technology:
In two years iPhone startups have gotten $100 million from Investors.  Exciting, but remember some of this is probably only a few million for some companies.

Television:
SyFy may remake the Alien Nation TV series.  I was a fan of the series before the movies, very well acted and well done.  A remake makes me wonder what else is being considered for remake on the smallscreen - or the internet.  Even more remakes on the way since they're safe?  Is that good or bad for media careers?

Video:
Hulu is working on it's UK launch.  They'll be even more relevant when they get this - so where's the inevitable rival?  Their competition seems to not be doing too hot.  Now where will their jobs be . . .

As Hulu marches on, here's a great analysis of what went wrong with Joost.  A great acutionary tale.

- Steven Savage