Kitten Politics

"Outsiders" Technology Watch (5/17/2012): Facebook's D-Day

The Facebook D-Day has arrived!!!

Just like all around the World, I have continued to be fascinated by the rise of Facebook. I watched the Social Network to get some sense of the Facebook journey and transformation so far. I am a fan and am a regular visitor because I leverage the power of Facebook for its' knowledge, its' outreach and the information I need as I assess my work here in "Outsiders" and beyond. The idea of reaching almost 900 Million Users is indeed power.

There is a scene in the Social Network when Sean Parker, the First President of Facebook and one of these now "oldtimers" in Silicon Valley throws a party as Facebook approached its' first million member. I wonder what they will do when they reach a Billion--that's almost 1 out of 7 people on Mother Earth!!! To me, that's indeed power.

As Facebook's CEO gears up to ring the opening bell on NASDAQ Friday, there are indeed storms on the horizon. The good news is that the demand has been high. It was so high that Facebook was forced to issue 80 Million Additional Shares and stopped taking IPO orders yesterday. It increased the range of its' IPO price to upward of 38 Dollars a share. However, GM announced that it would stop promoting its' products on Facebook because it determined that its' return on investment for ads on Facebook was dubious at best. It would continue to maintain its' free presence on Facebook as would others. I am with Joe Scarborough of MSNBC when he noted on his show that this is 1999 all over again simply because of the immense valuation being placed on Facebook.

What I also find striking in the reporting I've reviewed has been the high percentage of insiders who are selling their stake. It is a lot higher than Google. I have to wonder how that would work out in the long term. What is clear is that Facebook has to continue to stay relevant to avoid being myspace's fate.

There will be many winners. One of the key winners will be the State of California who is expected to receive a 2.1 Billion Dollar windfall as a result of Facebook's IPO. It will come in handy as it deals with a 16 Billion Budget Shortfall. I would not bet against the Facebook team just yet as it gears up to roll out Facebook 2.0 and to introduce a 100 Billion Company to the World.

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May 17th 2012 @ 05:48

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news

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"Outsiders" Tech Watch (4/10/2012): Facebook On the Prowl!!!

I nearly fell off my chair in shock when I saw the price Facebook paid to by Instagram: 1 Billion Dollars!!!

This is a company that is only 13 employees and just the Social Scene with a storm. I am not sure, frankly, what the rationale was. I guess the trigger was when it raised $ 50 Million in Venture Money and that prompted the move. I couldn't help but wonder why Google didn't buy them probably because of Picassa. The problem is that we've been here before. People have short memories.

One concern I have is that the giants are on the prowl and that is starting to stiffle innovation a bit. I wonder if and when the bubble will burst though on the Social Scene as it has on many other "fads" that have been out there. As Facebook has become the defacto World "Town Square", what will be the next Town Square? Will future rising stars truly be able to be accomodated as the foundational infrastructure continues to crack, governments continue to put their claws into it and no one seems to have the power to stop it? Governments are, of course, nervous and

Such questions were raised in a recent "write-up" released by Internet Evolution. Look for future editions of "Tech Watch" that would expand upon the thoughts noted by the IE Team which I also periodically contribute to as an IQ Crew member.

It is indeed scary times we're living in......

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April 10th 2012 @ 08:14

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, law

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"Outsiders" Media Watch (4/2/2012): On the Alternative Media In America

As the second quarter begins here in Outsiders, I wanted to begin with a "restart" of the Media Watch here and now.

As I always assess the media, I can't help but be frustruated at times. Many attack the media by terming it "Mainstream". I find the criticism coming out of Fox especially hillarious as it bills itself as the alternative to the so-called Mainstream Media. But, the mainstream media (and especially MSNBC) has done itself too little a favor for its' coverage of the Treyvon Martin affair.

This young man lost his life as he was confornted by a self-appointed Neighborhood Watch Captain. The ensuing debate has been useful because it has continued to bring focus to the problem of guns in America and the massive expansion of the applicability of the 2nd Amendment in light of the so-called "stand your ground" laws that have been enacted in 17 States in the US. There has also been a continued focus on Social Issues while some of the challenges continue to abound around us.

What I do find amazing is what Alternative Media continues to do to keep the focus on the real issues. I have been quite fascinated by the investment being made in "Current TV" with some of the stars it has recruited. Keith Olbermann was fired and I welcome that. However, the reasoned and seasoned approach led by Eliot Spitzer and Jennifer Granholm will bring crediblity to the coverage and the analysis as never before.

What a fascinating journey indeed!!!

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April 2nd 2012 @ 19:22

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, law, war

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"Outsiders" Media Watch (3/2/2012): What a Month

It has been quite a year on the Media Front. I begin by remembering Andrew Briebart. He helped begin the Huffington Post and went on to create a persona for himself as a Conservative Advocate. Just like all of us, he made mistakes. But, I think he was a visionary and was courageous in what he believed in. His death at the age of 43 reminds us all of how fragile life is and how we should savour every moment. In the heat and passion of the moment, we seem to forget it. I pray for his soul and and hope that his family finds comfort as they deal with this loss.

I have also been assessing the continued challenges faced by News Corps British Arm, News International. I was particuarly struck by the testimony of Sue Akers, the Senior London Met Police Officer noting how the culture of corruption was how business was done. It now has apparently engulfed the Sun. Rupert Murdoch just launched Sun on Sunday that sold over 3 Million copies on its' first release. I saw the retweet from the Guardian on it from Rupert Murdoch. The issue is whether Murdoch will escape the wrath of the US Justice Department for potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It is one of those stories truly worth watching

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March 2nd 2012 @ 06:55

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, law, war

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"Outsiders" Americas Watch (2/26/2012): The Last Two Weeks on the US Political Scene

The Republican Campaign For President has been in full swing. Right now, the big day is this coming Tuesday. Arizona and Michigan are voting for their preference for the Republican Nominee for President. As the month comes to a close, I will await the results of the primaries and make an assessment of what the roadmap ahead.

Throughout the campaign, the key challenges that the Country faces seems to have fallen by the wayside. Extremism seems to be the order of the day right now and it is of profound concern as we gear up for the general elections. I have been seeing the daily tracking poll and seeing the ups and downs in the polls. I have stopped listening to polls and and will not comment on them becuase it is the viabiilty of the candidates and their position that should be the focus here

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February 26th 2012 @ 20:18

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, law, war

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"Ousiders" Technology Watch (Jan 2012): What a Way to Start the Year!!!

2012 is turning out to be quite a year.

Yesterday saw a milestone!! Facebook has filed for an IPO

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February 2nd 2012 @ 10:45

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news

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Some Final Thoughts as We Look to 2012......

Over the past three weeks, I have been thinking about the year that has passed. 2011 has been quite a year. The pace of change and the actions have been nothing less than spectacular. When the final history is written, 2011 will be remembered as very much a transformational year in many ways

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December 26th 2011 @ 06:53

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, law, war

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"Outsiders" 2011 Year End in Review (Vol 5): On the Media

As I have continued my assessment of the Year that has just passed, I begin with what happend to the Murdoch Empire. The Murodoch Empire was under siege for quite some time as it became apparent how it went about gathering news.

Fox News, The Murdochs' US Arm, is the dominant news organization that caters to the Conservative Right. What I have found quite amazing is how many have noted how US Republican Presidential Candidates not only must go through a primary process for the party nomination, but also a "Fox News Primary". This clearly underscores the power that the network does indeed have to help set the tempo for what conservatives think and believe

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December 26th 2011 @ 05:49

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, war

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"Outsiders" 2011 Year-In-Review (Vol 3): The Continued Social Media Evolution

2011 saw quite an evolution in the media in our World. I have been quite amazed at the rise of the internet and how there is a total scramble to dominate the Post-TV world.

As I write this, I am listening to a live broacast of the Farsi Service of the Voice of America over the internet. Right now, they're broadcasting Miranada Cosgrove which I am pleased to see. I also have been quite excited about what the US has done to launch its' Virtual Embassy for Iran. Unfortuantely, it has been blocked by the thugs in Iran. The power of Internet continues to grow by leaps and bounds in dissemanting Information and to bring people together like never before

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December 12th 2011 @ 05:56

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, war

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2011: The Year In Review (The Launch)

It has been quite a year!!!!

I have been trying to to catch my breath as I launch the "Year-In-Review" here and now. Between the Arab Spring, changes in Africa and Russia, the continued challenges of Climate Change, the US Political Scene, the continued economic calamity, The "occupy" Movement, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, Europe's Economic Meltdown, the Media and continued technological transformations--I view it as nothing less than Breathtaking

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December 4th 2011 @ 22:15

Posted By: Mike Pouraryan - Category: politics, news, women, law, war

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