- An Open Letter from Jeff Bezos gives his side of the patent view. Just to make my position more clear, the affiliate program patent is the one that really bugs me. The fact that Amazon enforced the one-click patent has gotten me into the local Barnes & Noble a few extra times, but it wasn't enough to drive me completely away from Amazon by itself. Tim O'Reilly has his comments on Amazon's Patent Reform Proposal, and The Irish Times brings us Loss-making Amazon turns to bullying. The Amazon response to bullying charges is even more telling. What the heck are they thinking? For a PR guy, this one definitely needs a clue. Dan Gillmor offers Bezos has a point on patents -- so do I.
- Fortune brings us New Ethics... or No Ethics? which discusses some of the chicanery that happens with dot-com stocks. There's an amazing amount of greed out there. I think I understand it, and getting a piece of the pie is very tempting, but that doesn't make it moral, or even ethical. I'm glad I don't have to worry about the temptation.
- Bad Human Factors Designs isn't just about computers. It covers bad design in many walks of life.
- WinerLog is MOST excellent. If you've ever read Dave Winer, you'll appreciate this fine parody.
- Befuddle is dedicated to the effects of drinking.
- Salon gives us The truth about the polygraph. It's as much of a myth as the Tooth Fairy.
- Clever teenagers wait longer for first kiss.