Swiss Mistake
The recent news over the Swiss public's misgivings is a big surprise. My perception of Switzerland had always been one of a content, well off society. Apparently I am mistaken. This is quite a blow against millionaires around the world seeing how Switzerland is a notorious tax haven. It's hard not to see the such an event as evidence of a possible Marxist style proletarian uprising. It's possible that this could lead to similar declarations of angst around the world. If a country like Switzerland, not exactly known for having a rebellious people; can go to such lengths then why couldn't the U.S. as well? If I was a corporate CEO anywhere around the world and was accepting a form of "Abzockerei", I would start looking over my shoulder. There have already been tensions over big name CEOs rewarding themselves and their cronies in the U.S. Surely the memory enragement over bailed out companies giving their executives massive bonuses during the '08 financial crisis has not yet faded? Although these tensions have simmered quite a bit I bet some major companies will be keeping their executive's paychecks away from the public eye until Switzerland has calmed down some.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Twitter IPO
The recent Twitter IPO has caused a lot of excitement recently and for good cause. It's now been a while since Facebook's dramatic IPO, and I think that played a big part in the stir surrounding Twitter. People were eager to compare the two entrances to the stock market and see who would come out on top. Although it is hard to compare at this point, considering that Facebook's stock has now matured a bit and Twitter's stock is still so young; it certainly seems that Twitter has some serious potential in the market. The stock skyrocketed after the IPO, and although it will probably taper slightly it will still be well above it's opening price. Twitter has been criticized for setting such a low initial price, which caused them to miss out on possible money. After watching Facebook's IPO I find it hard to criticize considering how much of a drop Facebook's stock experienced. I'd say Twitter had a much more successful entrance to the market, however I don't believe it will last. I never had much faith in Twitter's business model because of it's meager expansion opportunity. Twitter's network of social media is inherently single focused with its140 character messages, as opposed to Facebook which is takes a "jack of all trades" approach to networking. After the initial few months of trading, this could lead to several more disappointing quarters from Twitter and a drop in stock price. Only time will tell though.
The recent Twitter IPO has caused a lot of excitement recently and for good cause. It's now been a while since Facebook's dramatic IPO, and I think that played a big part in the stir surrounding Twitter. People were eager to compare the two entrances to the stock market and see who would come out on top. Although it is hard to compare at this point, considering that Facebook's stock has now matured a bit and Twitter's stock is still so young; it certainly seems that Twitter has some serious potential in the market. The stock skyrocketed after the IPO, and although it will probably taper slightly it will still be well above it's opening price. Twitter has been criticized for setting such a low initial price, which caused them to miss out on possible money. After watching Facebook's IPO I find it hard to criticize considering how much of a drop Facebook's stock experienced. I'd say Twitter had a much more successful entrance to the market, however I don't believe it will last. I never had much faith in Twitter's business model because of it's meager expansion opportunity. Twitter's network of social media is inherently single focused with its140 character messages, as opposed to Facebook which is takes a "jack of all trades" approach to networking. After the initial few months of trading, this could lead to several more disappointing quarters from Twitter and a drop in stock price. Only time will tell though.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Monster Cash
Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Chupacabra; some of the most recognizable pieces of modern folklore. Are they creatures simply myths that people have created to explain phenomena? Could they exist? Certainly the possibility exists that they are out there, and this exactly what the perpetuators of these creatures want you to believe. Even though only questionable evidence for these creatures has been found, millions still believe in their existence so wholeheartedly that the tourist industry has used them for years to attract business. In fact, these monsters are seen as important sources of incomes for the local tourist economies. Even though the chances of anybody visiting one of these spots and sighting a mythical creature are less than one in a million, people still have no issue making profit from the opportunity. Although we cannot definitively say whether or not some of these creatures exist, it is safe to say that people are being ripped off by this industry. Think of all the people each year who visit Loch Ness with a tiny glimmer of hope that they might spot a strange figure in the water only to leave with a hundred dollars worth of Nessie memorabilia. Although one could point the finger at the tourist industry, I think the blame should be more focused on the "monster hunters" and adventurers who feed the frenzy. Every time somebody tries to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster or Big Foot, it stirs even more commotion around the subject and fuels even more tourism. At the end of the day though, I have admit that all of the mystique that the industry creates around these monsters is fascinating. Despite the moral dilemmas it is certainly entertaining.
Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Chupacabra; some of the most recognizable pieces of modern folklore. Are they creatures simply myths that people have created to explain phenomena? Could they exist? Certainly the possibility exists that they are out there, and this exactly what the perpetuators of these creatures want you to believe. Even though only questionable evidence for these creatures has been found, millions still believe in their existence so wholeheartedly that the tourist industry has used them for years to attract business. In fact, these monsters are seen as important sources of incomes for the local tourist economies. Even though the chances of anybody visiting one of these spots and sighting a mythical creature are less than one in a million, people still have no issue making profit from the opportunity. Although we cannot definitively say whether or not some of these creatures exist, it is safe to say that people are being ripped off by this industry. Think of all the people each year who visit Loch Ness with a tiny glimmer of hope that they might spot a strange figure in the water only to leave with a hundred dollars worth of Nessie memorabilia. Although one could point the finger at the tourist industry, I think the blame should be more focused on the "monster hunters" and adventurers who feed the frenzy. Every time somebody tries to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster or Big Foot, it stirs even more commotion around the subject and fuels even more tourism. At the end of the day though, I have admit that all of the mystique that the industry creates around these monsters is fascinating. Despite the moral dilemmas it is certainly entertaining.
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