Akkam’s Razor

• Cartype : Carbon Motors - Carbon Motors Corporation is a new American automaker that is developing and will manufacture, distribute, and service the Carbon E7, the world's first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle.
• Voter turnout didn’t set record: Democrats’ passion wasn’t matched by GOP - Turnout in last week's election increased from four years ago but fell far short of some forecasts largely because many Republican voters either stayed home or left blank the presidential section of their ballots.

  In states won by President-elect Barack Obama, turnout was more than five percentage points higher than in states won by Republican John McCain, according to a Globe analysis of data compiled by a pair of researchers who study voting patterns in US elections.

• Psychology of Cyberspace - Article Index -
• Tentacles of Rage: The Republican propaganda mill, a brief history LEWIS H LAPHAM / Harpers Magazine v.309, n.1852, September 2004 1sep04 -
• The New York Times > Week in Review > Image > Dissecting the Changing Electorate -
• Secret Service blamed Palin for sudden spike in Obama death threats | Crooks and Liars - There was a reason, I think, that people were repelled by the ugliness that proceeded from the McCain/Palin campaign this year — common sense, after all, should tell you where this kind of ugliness was heading. It showed up at the polls.

  The problem is finding a way to put out the fuse that they lit.

Look at the maps in this slideshow at the NY Times. Study it. Did you learn something?

The map represents areas that increased their share of the Republican vote versus 2004 - ie. Democrats voting for McCain. Without looking at demographics, I’m going to presume more white, more rural, lower education levels, and more evangelicals. I’m also going to hazzard a guess that the GOP will learn too, but based on their bad heads, they will interpret it the wrong way.

• From Cave Paintings to the Internet: 70,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE Timeline -
• Calculated Risk: Comparing Stock Market Crashes - Oh my.
• EzraKlein Archive | The American Prospect - Granted, it's probably (okay, certainly) not true. But if that crazy person who runs Atlas Shrugged is right and Barack Obama really is the son of Malcolm X, that would make my day. Honestly, who wouldn't give Malcolm props for that one? And think there's anyway we can fit Tupac into the bloodline? Or maybe Obama actually is Tupac? You know that whole shooting was some bullshit, right?

• Talking Points Memo | The Palin Effect - Palin was a surprising pick– virtually unknown outside Alaska (including, as it turned out, by the McCain campaign itself)– and she lacked experience (a key talking point for McCain). But her effect was supposed to be three fold– a woman and feminist for life, she'd pick up disgruntled Hillary supporters, an avowed Christian, she'd consolidate and energize the religious right, and with her youth and self described Mavericky ways, she'd counter Obama's fresh enthusiasm.

  Two months later? Not so much. The Palin Effect exists– but it's not energizing the base. On the contrary. Of the 70 odd conservative politicians, pundits and newspapers that have turned from McCain to endorse Obama this fall, 38 of them have cited Palin as a significant contributor to the decision. Hover over for quotes, and click on the pictures for links. And enjoy.

• William Gibson: Undecided Voters - I look at these people and can't quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

  To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. "Can I interest you in the chicken?" she asks. "Or would you prefer the platter of shit with broken glass in it?"

  To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.'

• mitcho > code > Yet Another Related Posts Plugin -
• Concept Jeep Vehicles - Jeep Experimental, Prototype Models and concept vehicles made by Jeep over the years.
• Not a Cough in a Carload - Images from the Tobacco Industry Campaign to Hide the Hazards of Smoking.

Popularity: 5% [?]

• Reflecting on the Mirror - Marketing & Strategy Innovation Blog - It seems that seeing one’s image causes one to think about one’s behavior and ultimately behave in a more socially desirable way. According to Cialdini, other actions can have a similar effect. Asking people their names can have a similar effect, and one experiment showed that a picture of eyes dramatically reduced “theft” in a break area where employees were supposed to drop money in a jar when they were supposed to pay for coffee or tea.