Prolonged recession sends Americans to the Internet

More than two-thirds of American adults -- or 88 percent of U.S. Internet users -- went online for help with recession-induced personal economic issues and to gather information on national economic problems. That's according to a new study released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Researchers say the Internet ranks high among sources of information and advice that people are seeking during hard times, especially when it comes to their personal finances and jobs.

The study found that 34 percent of online economic users have created content and commentary about the recession in places like blogs, social network sites and Twitter. Click here to read the overview and the full report.


Tags: Recession, Internet, Social Networks, Business, Pew Internet & American Life Project,Media by Sistrunk

Twittorati, a marriage of blogging and tweeting

Media search engine Technorati has launched a new site, Twittorati. The site shows what top bloggers are tweeting about. Twittorati allows visitors to filter tweets by topic, see the most tweeted blog posts, and compare leading blogosphere and Twitter trends.

The launch promotes the Technorati Top 100 bloggers. The site is toted as "where the blogosphere meets the Twittersphere." Details at TechCrunch.


Tags: Twittorai, Technorai, Blogging, Blogs, Media by Sistrunk

WSJ: Telecommunications industry under DOJ scrutiny

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Justice Department has begun an initial review of the U.S. telecommunicaions industry. WSJ cites people familiar with the matter. It isn't clear whether the Department of Justice intends to launch an official inquiry.

In recent weeks, lawmakers and regulators have raised questions about deals such as AT&T's exclusive right to provide service for Apple's popular iPhone in the U.S. Verizon Communications may also be under scrutiny. The statute that governs such behavior – the Sherman Antitrust Act – was used by the government in cases against giants ranging from Standard Oil to Microsoft.

DOJ could explore several areas of concern, such as whether wireless carriers are hurting smaller competitors by locking up popular phones through exclusive agreements, as the Wall Street Journal reports.

Novel explores race, women's attitudes in the Deep South

A new novel examines racial tensions in the Deep South from three perspectives. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is generating some positive chatter. The story takes place in Jackson, Miss., in the early 1960s, during the civil rights movement.

Stockett writes in black and white voices. She said that she felt it was important to examine both sides of life in segregated Jackson.

She writes from the perspective of frustrated middle-class white women. She also attempts to explore Jackson from the vantage point of two black housekeepers - women who have put their personal lives second -- or even third -- in order to meet the needs of the families they serve.

The Help is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons/Amy Einhorn Books.

National Public Radio takes a closer look at Stockett and her debut novel. Read an excerpt, and share your thoughts.


Tags: The Help, Kathryn Stockett, Books, Civil Rights, Race, Media by Sistrunk