Monthly Archives: October 2008

Podcast: What to Watch in a Train Wreck

October 31, 2008 – 10:52 am

Is this what the bottom feels like? Iconoculture’s consumer finance experts riff on the economy, the housing market, consumers’ fear, groupsolving and what to watch next. Download the podcast with Chris Keating, Derek Stubbs and Hans Eisenbeis here: Podcast: What to Watch in a Train Wreck 33 min., 54 sec.

By iconoculture | Posted in Consumer Trend, Economic meltdown, Economy, Money/Spending, Podcasts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Crowdsourcing meets Dear Abby on Sidetaker site

October 31, 2008 – 6:05 am

by Paul Katz WHAT’S HAPPENING Got a beef with a loved one? Let the Net decide who is right or wrong. Sidetaker allows the masses to pass judgment as couples anonymously post each side of an argument. The concept is simple: Each couple uploads their point/counterpoint view and the webizens vote or post an opinion […]

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“Daylighting” — working a second job on the clock — is on the rise

October 30, 2008 – 6:08 am

by Hans Eisenbeis WHAT’S HAPPENING Consumers who have gotten used to a certain lifestyle may take drastic measures to maintain that lifestyle, even when the economy tanks. It’s not exactly ethical, since most company’s ask for 100% engagement, but some white-collar workers are finding a way to double up on their work hours (CNN.com 9.23.08). Since […]

By Iconoculture | Posted in Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY ORDER

October 29, 2008 – 9:43 am

by Josh Kimball I committed Twittercide the other day. And while I’m sure it was disappointing to the couple hundred Twitter followers who had gotten used to updates on what I ate for dinner (usually lasagna) or my level of exhaustion (high), I retired my account for many reasons — one of which was the […]

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Babies, repeat after me: ¡Hola!

October 29, 2008 – 6:33 am

by Derek Reveron WHAT’S HAPPENING A Spanish-language immersion program in the Washington, D.C. area is teaching Spanish to children as young as one year old. ¡Hola Baby! (Hello Baby) is attracting about 75 young children and their parents to each session at Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Arlington, VA (WashingtonPost.com 10.5.08). Instructor and founder María […]

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Rolling Bailouts: The Economic Crisis and Shifting Consumer Values

October 28, 2008 – 10:08 am

Times, you may have heard, are tough. Banks are failing, world markets are skittish and our entire economic system is being rewired. So there’s that. Earlier this month, Iconoculture’s Advisory Team took a look at the crisis. In addition to laying out some historical context, our Point of View brief on the topic offers high-level […]

By iconoculture | Posted in Economic meltdown, Economy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Best interest rates? Banks bid for depositors at MoneyAisle

October 28, 2008 – 6:08 am

by Hans Eisenbeis WHAT’S HAPPENING MoneyAisle is a new website that allows consumers to shop for the highest possible interest rates on Certificates of Deposit and  savings accounts. More than 100 local and regional banks have signed up to participate in the bidding wars (New York Times 9.27.08). Consumers sign up to shop for a CD or […]

By Iconoculture | Posted in Money/Spending | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

The milkman cometh: More boutique dairies offer delivery

October 27, 2008 – 6:35 am

by Tory Davis WHAT’S HAPPENING Milk home delivery is no longer a nostalgic notion; across the country, dairies are creating or expanding their drop-off services as busy families, homebound Matures and urbanites with a taste for fresh dairy sign up in greater numbers. As the cost of milk skyrockets, the delivery surcharge (which is generally […]

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Why exercise when you can pharma-cise?

October 24, 2008 – 9:05 am

by Stefania Revelli WHAT’S HAPPENING What happens to diet pills when they grow up? They become fitness pills. Researchers at the Salk Institute in San Diego have discovered two new drugs — AICAR and GW1516 — that mimic the effects of physical exercise (Reuters.com 7.31.08). Lab tests successfully fooled mice muscles into burning fat, using […]

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WALKING AWAY WITH THE FUTURE

October 24, 2008 – 8:57 am

by Josh Kimball Last weekend, I, along with a cadre of colleagues, headed to Los Angeles for Iconosphere, Iconoculture’s annual cultural trend conference. In addition to the recession-proof and copiously flowing booze, what’s on everyone’s lips this year is our current economic crisis. Of course, for attendees of last October’s Iconosphere, the monumental happenings of […]

By Iconoculture | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Saint Death finds a home in East Hollywood

October 20, 2008 – 6:15 am

by Abelardo de la Peña Jr. WHAT’S HAPPENING Followers of La Santa Muerte (Saint Death), a female grim reaper worshiped by Mexicans whose lives are filled with danger or violence, congregate in a East Hollywood, CA storefront. Templo Santa Muerte is foremost a retail establishment where statues, fountains, books, candles, incense and other products bearing […]

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Payday loans are on the ballot in Ohio and Arizona

October 17, 2008 – 6:06 am

by Hans Eisenbeis WHAT’S HAPPENING Payday loans are a controversial part of the American financial landscape. They offer short term loans against expected paychecks for a fee — typically $15 for every $100. But consumer advocates point out that those charges amount to a whopping 391% annual interest rate, which is predatory and abusive. 15 states have already passed laws […]

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Adaptable cooking plates put dinner guests to work

October 16, 2008 – 6:15 am

by Nissa Hanna WHAT’S HAPPENING A new Electrolux concept by designer Chris Fox lets dinner party diners cook their own meals. The adaptable cooking plates have surfaces for boiling, stir-frying or grilling food (YankoDesign.com 8.8.08). The plates connect to form a functional tabletop work area that can wind around the surface of the table. Each modular plate […]

By Iconoculture | Posted in Food/Beverage | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Hospital talks teen about, like, prevention

October 15, 2008 – 6:07 am

by Sarah Barker WHAT’S HAPPENING Euw sick, adults talking about, like, HPV and stuff. The Center for Young Women’s Health, part of Children’s Hospital Boston, recruited real teens to disseminate real information on normal development, diseases and health issues affecting young women (YoungWomensHealth.org 9.08). The goal is to educate and thereby prevent health problems. The […]

By Iconoculture | Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

LA CRISIS ON BEVERLY BOULEVARD

October 14, 2008 – 3:51 pm

by Abelardo de la Peña Jr. Located almost equidistant between Beverly Hills and downtown Los Angeles, the Beverly/Normandie neighborhood is a densely populated residential area. Sitting at the far end of a three-block-long business district filled with colorful Latino storefronts is El y Ella (His and Hers) Communication. Owner Rogelio Lorenzo stands at the counter […]

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