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Misc.

Links! Links! Links!

Okay.

So.

Here’s a random, annotated list of cool stuff that’s caught my eye of late. It’s been bloodless coup 24/7 up in here over the last fortnight or so; some of these items might be a bit old, but still. They’re good. Trust me.

— If you’re interested in Asian popular culture and you’re not reading Tripmaster Monkey, you’re dead to me. (And I’m not just saying that because my essay about the smoove as silk putsch ran there recently.)

Two TMM gems you should read: “Columbus, Schmolumbus,” and “Cylon vs. Castaway!” (Re: the latter, how engrossing is Lost and how hopelessly in love with Yunjin Kim are you? Tell the truth.)

Economist:

Islamist rulers in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, have declared a holy war against Ethiopia, after hundreds of Ethiopian soldiers reportedly invaded Somalia. The risk of a regional conflict is growing

MarketWatch:

Dilbert deserves the economics Nobel.” Nine points:
1. Make a will
2. Pay off your credit cards
3. Get term life insurance if you have a family to support
4. Fund your 401k to the maximum
5. Fund your IRA to the maximum
6. Buy a house if you want to live in a house and can afford it
7. Put six months worth of expenses in a money-market account
8. Take whatever money is left over and invest 70% in a stock index fund and 30% in a bond fund through any discount broker and never touch it until retirement
9. If any of this confuses you, or you have something special going on (retirement, college planning, tax issues), hire a fee-based financial planner, not one who charges a percentage of your portfolio

DenverInfill Blog:

Guide to Suburban Denver Subdivision Names

Over the years, as new subdivisions have stretched farther and farther out onto the plains, their names have become wordier, more elaborate, and more pretentious. Today, there is an obvious trend in the naming of new subdivisions in metro Denver. Developers now use a variety of semantic tricks in their attempt to increase the perceived exclusivity of the development. No longer would something simple and unassuming like “Columbine Knolls” suffice. These days, the first part of the name must clearly identify that the development is not only a residential community, but also one of great distinction, and that these homes of great distinction are located at a place of even greater distinction. Thus, new suburban development names now begin with phrases like “The Estates at…” or “The Preserve at…” or “The Retreat at…” followed by not just one or two words to describe the incredibly special patch of prairie on which these homes have been built, but three words or more.

Meet Thumbelina (pictured above), the world’s smallest horse. You know you love it. Wouldn’t that be great if they could, like, get a tiiiiiiny little saddle and, you know, like, a little monkey with a cowboy hat could totally ride Thumbelina!

AP:

Ailing Ecuador Leader Still Calls Shots

He’s the most influential politician in this small, unstable Andean nation — an old-fashioned bare-knuckled ‘caudillo,’ or political strongman, making his weight felt by backing Cynthia Viteri, a 40-year-old former congresswoman, as Ecuador’s first woman president.

But his Social Christian party faces a mounting challenge from Rafael Correa, a leftist firebrand in the mold of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, who has surged into the lead in the final days of a presidential race.

‘A communist,’ snaps Febres Cordero. ‘A political dinosaur,’ shoots back Correa.

No one is likely to win outright in voting Sunday (Oct. 15), but if Correa gets to the November runoff and wins, he will join Chavez and Bolivia’s Evo Morales at the cutting edge of Latin America’s leftward tilt. Having referred to President Bush as ‘dimwitted,’ the 43-year-old economist is clearly not looking to make friends in the White House.

Slate:

Woodward and You: A reader’s guide to State of Denial.

— Fellow Emory University English major — a good friend — Wendy reports that our alma mater has snagged not only Salman Rushie, but his archive, as well. This is excellent, excellent news.

— [warning , dorky Web development link ahead] seomoz.org:

How to Convince a Client They Don’t Need a Splash Page

CSM:

The Economist effect: Not all news media are dumbing it down

Incredible photoset of the Taj Majal. Related: “Calcutta 1945: An American Military Photograph Album.”

Milton Glaser:

Ten Things I Have Learned

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