Blue Sky On Mars

Thoughts on Building Software Products

Fool.com: Behind the Bubble Babble

by Kevin Dangoor

Do you remember all of the analysts talking about the wide open skies for internet stocks and the “new economy”? The Fool is trashing the folks who claim there’s no housing bubble in the enjoyably titled Behind the Bubble Babble:

The very people most vehement about denying a housing bubble are precisely the people who have the most to gain from seeing one continue: mortgage sellers and realtors.

It always pays to look at where a quote or story is coming from. I liked this part:

Last time I checked, my paycheck was not contingent upon urging all of you to watch out for risky loans.

Actually, in a roundabout way, his paycheck does hinge on that… and providing other sound financial advice.

That’s what’s great about the Fool. Their articles cut through the hype in financial markets to try to give you a clearer picture of how things look.

Seth on Urgent vs. Important

by Kevin Dangoor

For anyone who’s never pondered whether something is “important” or just “urgent”, Seth Godin’s Hurry! is a good introduction to the topic.

An unexpected confirmation of the value of the Bill of Rights

by Kevin Dangoor

The Bill of Rights was created to protect people from the corruption that comes from a government with absolute power (absolute power corrupts absolutely, as they say). I don’t think the founding fathers anticipated that the Bill of Rights would be needed to protect against the “entertainment industry”. The story is that in Delhi, India, the international arm of the Motion Picture Association has been granted a general warrants that “[permit] police to search any premises suspected of containing pirated products, and permits officers to open locked premises without delay.” So, if you live in Delhi, Joe Moviemaker can get the police to come storming into your house practically on a whim.

Aren’t you glad we have the 4th Amendment?