So the overwhelming stories this past week are undoubtedly tragedy striking Haiti and the Google vs. China row. Seeing various moving images of the 48 Hours Later) truly puts into perspective how minor and trivial your current inconveniences and difficulties are. It’s a cliche statement but nevertheless “bad” is a relative thing that you shouldn’t ever lose site of. Shit is and can always be a lot worse. This mindset effectively diminishes the shit that we all face and enables you to power forward and overlook any unfortunate things that fall in your lap.

I’ll provide my Google vs. China thoughts below on #19.

The links are outlined by number, so if you feel like commenting just reference whatever numbers.

An archive of previous Link Dump’s can be seen here.

-Eugene

*If you’re always on the go, I’m a huge advocate for Instapaper. Basically you can bookmark links to read on your mobile device later and it can strip away all the unnecessary imagery to load more quickly.
**If you encounter a login page for a NY Times article (yes there are quite a few of them…), I highly suggest signing up for a free account or else use this dummy one I set up.

Login: tempaccountNYT
Password: tempaccountNYT

#1. Aid Packages Transform Into Footballs for Impoverished Children
Something positive to kick things off, aid packages sent in cardboard tubes can be unraveled and shaped into a football/soccer ball.

#2. Charity is Social
The science behind giving and how giving is rooted in our connection. Perhaps not ground-breaking but there is accredited backing to it. Article does mention how Twitter creates a certain degree of realism in time of tragedy.

#3. At 6-6, Rockets’ Chuck Hayes Is the Mite in the Middle
Once again, who doesn’t love the story of success from a non-prototypical standpoint? Despite being a foot shorter than Yao Ming, in his absence Chuck Hayes is doing ok for himself.

#4. Is the Internet Finally Robbing the Greedy Financier’s Gravy Train?
So is finance the next stop that the Internet will ruin (following movies and music of course).

#5. Internet Survival Guide for Traveling Where Privacy Isn’t Respected
I’m far from hardcore but it seems as though some people go to real links to hide their tracks.

#6. Nothing To Talk About
I started this article without any real hopes or interest but ended up with a new level of interest in North Korea’s global (and American relationships). Basically, the heavy hand of Kim Jong-il II has made some questionable moves in the past. Looking to project power, things such as launching missiles and really having no right to be a jackass given his countries inability to self-sustain have made Obama right to ignore any talks with the country.

#7. The Triumph of Size 12s
Size 12 models are becoming desirable and can you really blame them? Not that size 12 is fat by any stretch of the imagination, a lot of these women are very proportionate and fit, but the size 2s really aren’t all that relevant to the majority of the population. But what’s funny is that size12 often isn’t big enough and any “fat” traits can further highlighted in post-processing haha.

#8. Global Issues for Breakfast: The Banana Industry and Its Problems FAQ (Cohen Mix)
You wouldn’t expect bananas to be a highly charged and touchy subject, but they are holding both political and economic ramifications that span back quite a few years. As well, bananas are among the very worst for the environment.

#9. Education Chief Criticizes N.B.A. and the N.C.A.A.
I fully agree with this 100%. High-profile college athletes that are talented enough to make the jump should really be taught the importance of an education and not just using college as the stepping stone to the big league which it is currently seen as.

#10. Why Do So Many Winter Olympians Have Asthma
Dry air + training = Asthma, Dry Air + Breathing through your nose + training = Not a cure, but better for you… I guess you don’t really need to read the article now do you?

#11. The Recession Generation
The shitty times of the last 2-3 years will have a lasting impact on how this generation perceives and spends money. But can we break out of this. Media is one powerful aspect of culture which is much more well-developed now than it ever has been. If anybody can trick people into spending money again, it’s the media of 2010.

#12. The Gatorade-Dunking Hall of Shame
When your team sucks and didn’t win anything big, don’t Gatorade Dunk, exercise common sense please haha.

#13. FDA Investigates Fake “Unfaithful” Tiger Woods Gatorade
Speaking of Gatorade, somebody put Gatorade bottles with the words “Unfaithful” in a store. But I’ve also heard that there was correspondence behind the guy who did it and Gatorade’s parent company, Pepsi-Co… hmmmm.

#14.For Bankers, Saying “Sorry” Has Its Perils
Japanese bankers apologize for their mistakes, not so much in the United States and the Western World.

#15. Researchers Explore Wood As Potential Bone Substitute
Bones made of wood that never need replacing, sounds good to me.

#16. Snail Farming
Often reserved for French restaurants, where do we see snail meat down the line. It’s production is relatively eco-friendly and the taste isn’t bad if you can get past what it is.

#17.Love It or Hate It / Alfresco Foodie Tour
“Dai Pai Dong” is probably my favorite style of dining in HK. It’s casual with none of this pretentious HK-steez. It’s a nice open-air format with simple, no frills and gimmicks cuisine. But for some reason, HK government is cracking down.

#18. Is China the Next Enron
Think China is going to bust? I’m not that in that camp but this is a convincing article as to why China has some pretty strong sustainability.

#19. Soul Searching: Google’s position on China might be many things, but moral it is not / Google v. Baidu: It’s Not Just about China / Baidu’s Gain from Departure Could Be China’s Loss
Interesting move without some real ramifications until a few years down the line I think. Google didn’t have much to lose $$$-wise with this assuming they pull out. But I do think that in reality, Google would have never been able to amount to much. China’s set up in a way that it allows mostly its domestic entities to flourish and either allow locals to make money or bring foreign money into the country. Ban Facebook, and you have RenRen.com (a pretty exact copy from what I gather) to grow and make money. Why sponsor Yao Ming with Li-Ning when you can have him bring in US-based money from Reebok. China’s success is built on the foundation that people forgo personal freedom for the benefit of their country and that isn’t anything new, but how massive an effect it has is staggering. Make shit money but do it for your country, look how far it has got China.

#20. For Some, “Kosher” Equals Pure
Interesting how those who can’t afford or buy organic see kosher as the next best thing.

#21. This Is What Happens to You on Steroids
A well-written piece on the physiological changes of being on steroids and a break-down of why it happens.

#22. The Unbelievably Bad Metaphors in Esquire’s Profile of Jay-Z
Title says it all… I think I could write for Esquire…. haha

#23. Frequently Asked Questions About Google Wave
No secret my love for Google Wave, but if you still have questions, check this out.

#24. The Tel Aviv Cluster
This was extremely interesting. To see the disproportionate amount of success that Jews have had in various industries from IT to science and chess. Growing up, I had ZERO interaction with Jewish people so this was a good insight into a culture that promotes progress and growth with nothing handed to you.

#25. Hey Google, Anybody Home?
Google proves that sometimes, just sometimes being REALLY REALLY REALLY good at something doesn’t mean you can be good at another thing. No shit eh?

#26. Incomplete Manifesto for Growth
I don’t agree with all of these points, but some interesting notes on how to advance and grow as a person and in your work.