Description: A hedge fund started by four young math wizards is using a branch of artificial intelligence, called “computer learning,” to make investment decisions. Rebellion Research’s four, 20-something-year-old partners explain how their computer program “thinks” up their strategy. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/13/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/a-look-inside-a-hedge-fund-black-box-trading/BFAFFD06-F76B-4AF3-B2D1-577D3300F2AD Questions for discussion: What do you think of… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Droid X adds to the challenge of choosing a smart phone
Description: Deciding to buy a smart phone is the easy part. With dozens of models on the market — add one more after Motorola’s Droid X went on sale Thursday — picking your perfect phone requires hours of research on countless details. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 07/16/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/droid-x-adds-to-challenge-of-choosing-a-smartphone-2010-07-16?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: What are the… Read more »
Was Steinbrenner Just Lucky?
Description: Before he bought the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner tried to buy the Cleveland Indians. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/16/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/business/17nocera.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How would you explain the increase in value of the NY Yankees from the time George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1971? How important is the team brand to marketing… Read more »
Making the Dream of a Flying Car a Reality
Description: MIT graduate Carl Dietrich co-founded Terrafugia, which is now taking preorders for the science fiction fan’s ultimate dream: a $194,000 flying car. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/15/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_30/b4188043262844.htm Questions for discussion: Who is the customer for this product? Do you think the high selling price would pose a problem for the firm trying… Read more »
Busted iPhone? Call the ‘doctor’
Description: A New Yorker runs a lucrative business fixing broken iPhones for about half of what Apple charges. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/07/07/n_broken_iphone_fixer.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think these iPhone customers risk using the services of the ‘doctor’ rather than traditional Apple repair services? What does this story tell… Read more »
Buy an electric car, rent the battery
Description: Better Place CEO Shai Agassi’s bet on electric cars involves swappable batteries but questions remain whether he can pull it off. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 07/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/07/08/f_bg_better_place_agassi.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this pricing model will work? Who do you think would be the target customer most interested in… Read more »
The real test for stocks
Description: The stock market’s best week in a year has restored some confidence to battered investors, but the real test begins Monday when companies start reporting second quarter profits and losses. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 07/10/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/10/markets/sunday_lookahead/index.htm  Questions for discussion: Why are profits so important at this point in time to investors? Examine the… Read more »
Online, We Pay With Our Time Spent Searching
Description: THE Internet is a Soviet bread line. Remember those lines? Back when commissars commanded the Soviet Union’s economy like Knute commanding the tides, people would wait for hours in long queues for free bread. Although the bread was free, people paid for it with their time. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/09/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/business/11every.html?ref=business Questions… Read more »
Why Andy Grove Is Wrong About Job Growth
Description: Reigniting job creation in the U.S. won’t happen by becoming more like China and India. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/09/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2010/tc2010079_953836.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the main arguments presented in this article. Do you agree with the points made about entrepreneurialism and economic growth? What, if anything, should governments do to encourage entrepreneurial… Read more »
A Wide-Open Market for Tesla
Description: Fresh off its successful IPO, electric car maker Tesla is finding a receptive market in Europe for its green technology. MarketWatch’s Shawn Langlois gets behind the wheel of the Tesla Roadster to see if it lives up to the hype. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/europe-a-wide-open-market-for-tesla/7A810918-DDB8-426E-944A-B961E5ECE057 Questions for discussion: Who is… Read more »
