The Big Picture - Macro Perspective on the Capital Markets, Economy, Technology, and Digital Media

There are so many thing here that require an ass whupping I just don’t know where to begin:

• Why is there even such a thing as a Microsoft Store?
• Is this an example of their innovation?
• Why is the staff being forced to clap rhythmically — did they all do something wrong? Is this how they get punished?
• What is with the tonnage? Is there a free Cinnabon store next door? They seem to average 260+.

Look, I am not an Apple fanboy (though this is being written on a MacBook Pro and I hate to be just be a Mister Softee hater, but damn if this isn’t some bizarre combination of Lame X 10 and hysterical.

What was wrong with having a insanely profitable, widely reviled monopoly? Don’t go getting all warm and fuzzy on us — you are supposed to just mint money.

Instead, you have given the world a new formula for Humor:  Microsoft + Attempts to be Hip = Comedy Gold!

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Squanderville versus Thriftville (Warren Buffet) in Fortune

President Obama visits China at a time when the world’s two most powerful economies face very different fortunes.

A humbled United States is slowly recovering after sparking the global financial crisis. China, on the other hand, has handled the downturn with ease and appears to be leading the world out of recession, while increasing its influence in Asia.

But Chinese people say their economy has a long way to go, and America still has some big advantages.

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If audio does not load, click here

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Source:
While U.S. Economy Struggles, China’s Rises
Frank Langfitt
November 16, 2009
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120405700

Doh: Why listen to his forecasts?

Hat tip Singer

A recent study shows people are twice as likely to seek information that confirms their beliefs than they are to consider evidence that contradicts thems. WSJ Intelligent Investor columnist Jason Zweig tells Kelsey Hubbard how this “confirmation bias” can influence their financial decisions.

Art Cashin, head of floor operations at UBS, has the latest buzz from the NYSE.

U.S. Week Ahead: Retail Results, Economy In Focus 11/13/2009

Retailers including Home Depot and Target will report results and key economic data will include retail sales and industrial output. Meanwhile, nine speakers from the Federal Reserve will offer their views on the economy. Stacey Delo reports.

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Asia’s Week Ahead: Obama Tour, Data In Focus 11/13/2009

U.S. President Barack Obama will tour the region, making stops in Japan and China to start with. Japan will release gross domestic product data and the Bank of Japan will make a decision on interest rates.

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Europe’s Week Ahead: Air France-KLM Report 11/13/2009

Airbus owner EADS reports quarterly results along with airline Air France-KLM. In the U.K. luxury-goods group Burberry will provide an update.

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