In light of yesterdays comments about Media tailoring, here is a salient article that appears to address what those who provide your news are going to do about it.

AUDIENCE AND THE MEDIA: A SHAKY MARRIAGE


And in other news, another of my favorite topics - the FED. Looks like they are going to step in for us and protect us against the EVIL banking empire and one of their largest profit centers, the banking overdraft.

FED BARS ATM CARD OVERDRAFT FEES ABSENT OPT-IN

I am glad to see that the fed will step in to legislate this problem, but realize that banks are taking advantage of the fact that most people (Of course, not your or me) don't manage their money very well, and in these tough times, this is a great opportunity for enhanced revenue streams. As much as I don't like overdraft fees (Ranging from $27 an up for repeat offenders) Capitalism thrives on literally taking advantage of opportunity - which equates to in most cases taking advantage of people.

My biggest problem with this is thus: do you realize that if a large group of customers threatened to take their money from bank A, to take it to bank B, the free market principles governing customer service might convince that bank to negotiate, reduce or even remove those fees. If enough people organized themselves to propose a schema by which users can approve an overdraft - allowing you to acknowledge that you are accepting the 2000% interest to take a small loan (Have you ever thought of it that way?) or at least have a moment to address the "Aw Shit" factor when you didn't balance your checkbook correctly.

Back to my problem - we as a nation have a real problem organizing ourselves to do anything, unless someone of authority does it for us. If the Fed can regulate transactions that banks are "taxing" to enhance their income, and we allow it to happen because we are all upset at the banks for causing the financial crisis, what next will the Fed attempt to tax when you go to spend your money, cash your check or run your business? If you work as an employee - well great lengths have been taken to automate this process so you don't feel it at all.

Imagine you have a lovely Maine Lobster, and a pot of boiling water. If you were to drop said lobster in that boiling water - (aside from making a tasty meal) it shrieks in agony as it boils and become the makings for a great entree.

If, however, you put the same lobster in room temperature water, it will be blissfully unaware of it's own impending demise, although it may notice that it's environment has changed slightly - it probably won't see the bigger picture until it is far too late.