Google announced the Google Chrome “Operating System” a few days ago, and the world I used to live in is abuzz with people talking about the earthquake this represents for the computing industry. TechCrunch says, “Google Drops a Nuclear Bomb on Microsoft.” Leo Babauta of Zen Habits has a more thoughtful response, but also subscribes to the “future of computing” theme: “Google is moving everything online, and I really believe this is the future of computing. The desktop model of computing — the Microsoft era — is coming to an end. It’ll take a few years, but it will happen.”
Day: July 10, 2009
Speculators ‘R’ Us: The G8 And Energy Prices
The G8 summit was obviously disappointing, even for those with low expectations. Usually, the substance is lacking but the public relations are well managed. This year even the messaging was messed up – they said some new things on climate change but not what we were told they could say, the food aid/development package was lamer than advertized, etc. So the whole thing looks like an expensive flop.
But actually it was much worse. Continue reading “Speculators ‘R’ Us: The G8 And Energy Prices”
People Who Think Taxes Will Have to Go Up
David Leonhardt has started a new club, which has already attracted some additional members.
Count me in, in spirit at least (there must be dozens of more prominent people for the Times to bother with). Because, ultimately, I think we Americans are a decent people (or at least a squeamish people), and we will not be able to endure the sight of millions of seniors being thrown onto the streets or deprived of medical care. And so the looming combined shortfall of Medicare, public pensions, private pensions, and individual savings will at some point motivate us to raise taxes on ourselves.
By James Kwak
The Baseline Scenario 