<![CDATA[Karen D. Swim · Storify]]>http://storify.com/karenswimNodeJS RSS ModuleSun, 26 May 2013 09:27:35 GMT<![CDATA[Boston Marathon Tragedy]]>

On April 15, 2013 an unthinkable act of violence took place at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Whether it is ultimately found to be an act of political or criminal terrorism does not matter to a nation who collectively mourns the senseless of it all.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Tue, Apr 16 2013 09:18:06

The story of Carlos Arredondo, the Boston Marathon hero in a cowboy hat thebea.st/11akjZ7 pic.twitter.com/OuARqtcRXN · The Daily Beast
Once again, social media provided a platform to find help, information or to simply gather and mourn together.

The boy who died after waiting for his dad to finish the Boston Marathon. #PrayForBoston R.I.P pic.twitter.com/9th5ul6fPo · JAMES
#keepcalm#pray#for#boston#prayforboston · Nancy Radisson
Thoughts and prayers to the victims of the Boston Marathon explosion. #Boston #explosion #bombing #tragic #prayers · Rush Balderas
Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt spoke the words in many of our hearts, and he did so more eloquently than many of us could.

Of all the pontificators and pundits reacting online and off, it was comedian Patton Oswalt who perhaps provided the most poignant take on the Boston Marathon bombing Monday afternoon. In a post to his Facebook page, Oswalt wrote that while violence such as Monday’s tragedy exemplifies the worst of humanity, it’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture. Here’s what Oswalt had to say: Boston. Fucking horrible. I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, “Well, I’ve had it with humanity.” But I was wrong. I don’t know what’s going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths. But here’s what I DO know. If it’s one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This is a giant planet and we’re lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they’re pointed towards darkness. But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We’d have eaten ourselves alive long ago. So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, “The good outnumber you, and we always will.”

— Julia Springer-Bedenbaugh · Tue, Apr 16 2013 09:01:12
As a human being I concur with Oswalt's words. There is far more good than evil. This simple fact helps me to see the hope and possibility in this world, even in the worst of times. As a runner and marathoner, I also know the resilience of mankind. I know that we will do as we have always done - lace 'em up and run. We will run with a bit more defiance, determined to not allow evil to win. We will run for those who can no longer run. We will run to honor the precious gift of running. And we will run because the act of putting one foot in front of the other is how we go on in the midst of, in spite of life's greatest challenges.

God bless you Boston,  you are in our collective thoughts and prayers.

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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/boston-marathon-tragedyhttp://storify.com/karenswim/boston-marathon-tragedyTue, 16 Apr 2013 16:18:06 GMT<![CDATA[Yahoo! CEO Ignites Debate on #Remote Work]]>

Yahoo! CEO, Marissa Mayer has ordered permanent work-at-home employees to "get thee to the office." The move has garnered attention and ignited debate about the merits of this decision.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Wed, Feb 27 2013 07:40:53

Marissa Mayer's decision to ban permanent work-at-home arrangements is hailed as a step backward by some and a bold decision by others.  
Why Marissa Mayer&#39;s ban on remote working at Yahoo could ...Why Marissa Mayer&#39;s ban on remote working at Yahoo could ...
1 day ago ... Yahoo says that its new edict banning remote working is necessary to build the right kind of culture. But how is making t...
Yahoo&#39;s perplexing work-from-home ban - The Washington PostYahoo&#39;s perplexing work-from-home ban - The Washington Post
1 day ago ... It&#39;s certainly possible that remote work arrangements had gotten out of hand at Yahoo, with people abusing the privil...
Why Won&#39;t Yahoo! Let Employees Work From Home? - BusinessweekWhy Won&#39;t Yahoo! Let Employees Work From Home? - Businessweek
1 day ago ... According to AllThingsD, only “several hundred” of Yahoo&#39;s 11,500 employees work remotely, although an untold number ...
In an age when we seem to do everything in the cloud, this move, on the surface seems to be contrary to the natural evolution of work.
The Way Work Gets Done in the Emerging "Project Economy" | MBO Partners
After three long years of recession and bouncing on the bottom of economic indicators, even the Bears are looking at this year positively...
In our passion for the digital culture we often lose touch with the merits of face-to-face interaction. While I champion the flexibility of remote work (and run my own business this way) I also value "face time." All the technology in the world does not replace what happens when people interact in the same physical space. 
Yahoo&#39;s ban on working remotely: a creative step for innovation ...Yahoo&#39;s ban on working remotely: a creative step for innovation ...
18 hours ago ... Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer (formerly of Google) has banned remote working for her employees, hoping to find innovation in...
Yahoo! has struggled to remain relevant in a fast paced world. If the company were thriving, then this move would come under greater scrutiny. However, in an attempt to rebuild it may be necessary to have "all hands on deck." Managing a remote workforce requires companies to learn new ways of communication and engagement. However, when the company at large is broken it is impossible to address how to better engage remote workers and ensure that your vision, mission and values extend beyond the corridors of your corporate offices. When you consider the layers of problems facing Yahoo! Mayer's decision may actually be viewed as groundbreaking.
Yahoo Managing Remote Employees - Business InsiderYahoo Managing Remote Employees - Business Insider
1 day ago ... But rather than try to deal with those issues, Yahoo&#39;s chosen just to end remote work completely. That&#39;s understa...
As we line up "for" or "against" Mayer's edict, let us not forget that the future of work will and should embrace both camps. The beauty of the new way to work is flexibility.Organizations can mix on-premise and remote workers in a way that specifically fits their culture and organizational goals. A hybrid work model has the ability to make companies even stronger by affording the benefits of a collective, collaborative culture while also leveraging the agility and specialized expertise of remote workers. This choice also benefits workers. Not everyone flourishes as a full time remote worker; some prefer the camaraderie and structure of on-site work. Only time will tell if Yahoo! has made the right decision, but the issues raised should be be examined by all organizations. The future demands that you have the ability to collaborate, innovate and preserve a strong company culture in and out of the office.

 
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/yahoo-ceo-ignites-debate-on-remote-workhttp://storify.com/karenswim/yahoo-ceo-ignites-debate-on-remote-workWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:40:53 GMT<![CDATA[Hot Buttered PR Controversy]]>

Celebrity Chef Paula Deen is front and center in a controversy about her announcement that she has Type 2 Diabetes and association with a pharmaceutical company that markets a diabetes drug that received an FDA warning in 2011.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Thu, Jan 19 2012 10:34:55

Paula Deen - Bacon Hot Dogs · Jeff Houck
Many have taken issue with Deen for hiding her diagnosis for three years while continuing to build a brand built on butter, sugar and fat.
Paula Deen&#39;s Diabetes Reveal Sparks a None-Too-Sweet Reaction ...Paula Deen&#39;s Diabetes Reveal Sparks a None-Too-Sweet Reaction ...
18 hours ago ... Television cook Paula Deen has cooked up some trouble for herself with her revelation this week that she has diabetes....
Others found the lighter side of this high calorie catastrophe.
The none too shy Anthony Bourdain added his own brand of spice to the controversy with not so sweet comments about Deen's announcement. 
Paula Deen vs. Anthony Bourdain - the Feud Continues with Type 2 ...Paula Deen vs. Anthony Bourdain - the Feud Continues with Type 2 ...
1 day ago ... The outspoken chef continues his assault on the Southern cooking queen after she reveals her diabetes.
Paula Deen diabetes backlash led by Anthony BourdainPaula Deen diabetes backlash led by Anthony Bourdain
1 day ago ... As news of Paula Deen&#39;s Type 2 diabetes diagnosis spreads, followers of the Southern cooking maven awaited a response...

Leave Paula Deen alone...yeah like anyone didn't know butter & more butter and sugar(sweet-tea how gross)is so bad for y'all..Ahhh the days visiting my relatives in Georgia(born there)fried chicken,southern bisquits,potato salad,grits & sausage gravy,black-eyed peas & ham hocks..now that's good eatin but NOT EVERYDAY..overweight & diabetes,REALLY..no sugar in my iced-tea was really a novelty..weirdo Californians

— Karen Weir · Thu, Jan 19 2012 09:45:03
Paula Deen rides butter over mashed potatoes · Jeff Houck

So... Paula Deen has had Type 2 diabetes for three years and has bee pimping her high butter, high fat cooking the entire time? Also forming a business relationship and spokesmanship deal with NorvoNodisc? (?) Seriously?! Tony Bourdain said, "I think I'll go into the leg breaking business, then make a killing selling crutches." Right on, Tony.

— Ian James · Thu, Jan 19 2012 09:44:48

I wish everybody'd lay off of poor Paula Deen. If you thought her signature dishes (fried butter anyone?) were health food, then catching diabetes is the least of your worries.

— Seida Bacon · Thu, Jan 19 2012 09:42:42
Many have commented that Deen has sent the wrong message about Diabetes with her Novo Nordisk brand promotion deal. To add fuel to this fire, the pharmaceutical company received an FDA warning about the drug in 2011.
Warning Letters and Notice of Violation Letters to Pharmaceutical ...
For District Office Warning Letters see the Main FDA FOI Warning Letters .... Prandin (repaglinide) tablets, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutica...
Medical News: FDA Warns of Risks With Liraglutide - in Product ...Medical News: FDA Warns of Risks With Liraglutide - in Product ...
Jun 14, 2011 ... The FDA has issued a warning about the risks of thyroid cancer and ... the safety alert and directed drugmaker Novo No...
Novo Nordisk : DiabetesMine: the all things diabetes blogNovo Nordisk : DiabetesMine: the all things diabetes blog
1 day ago... and that she has partnered with Novo Nordisk in a campaign promoting their drug, Victoza. ... NewsFlash: FDA Issues Warnin...
Time will tell if Deen's brand will take a significant hit. Some have argued that Deen owed no one an explanation and was right in her choice to keep her diagnosis private. Technically true but it may not have been the smartest decision for her business. No one in their right mind could claim that Deen's brand of cooking was healthy but it does feel a little sneaky that someone diagnosed with a disease so closely linked to lifestyle choices would solider on without saying a word. 

Announcing the diagnosis three years later in conjunction with a drug endorsement feels a bit disingenuous. Deen could have announced the diagnosis much earlier without being a crusader. With a loyal platform of followers she could have offered options for diabetics like her or simply continued to encourage her viewers to enjoy in moderation.

Time will tell how this will impact her brand,but in the short term there is a  raging fire in the kitchen surrounding Paula Deen.
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/hot-buttered-pr-controversyhttp://storify.com/karenswim/hot-buttered-pr-controversyThu, 19 Jan 2012 18:34:55 GMT<![CDATA[The Future of Work: Mobile Independents]]>

GigaOm's Net:Work event was held today in San Francisco. The event examined the global, cultural shifts in the workforce along with challenges and opportunities we face in the future of work. Live reaction from the conference revealed an emphasis on mobility and independence.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Thu, Dec 08 2011 18:05:41

The future of work will require new thinking about approach and relationships.
Will Robots present yet another new dimension in the 3.0 workforce?
Crazy tech @workconf ! http://pic.twitter.com/s6USQ8Jc · Lauren Pearce
CEO Martin Frid-Nielsen being interviewed by @GigaOm at @WorkConf Net:Work Event. http://pic.twitter.com/zweXNT9Q · Soonr
Solopreneurs are thriving as they create a career on their own terms with a business of one.
State of Independence in America - MBO Partners
The first annual MBO Partners Independent Workforce Index study is ... The story of independent work spans generations, states, and sec...
GigaOM
1 minute ago ... GigaOM delivers breaking news and in-depth analysis on the business of technology. Our reporters investigate trends, e...
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/the-future-of-work-mobile-independentshttp://storify.com/karenswim/the-future-of-work-mobile-independentsFri, 09 Dec 2011 02:05:41 GMT<![CDATA[Workers are Red, White and Very Blue Over August Jobs Report ]]>

The August Jobs Report was released today and has added to the somber mood of the country. The report shows that there was zero job growth in the month of August leading many to fear that there is no end in sight to our tepid economy.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Thu, Oct 27 2011 00:06:20

As we pause to celebrate the American workforce this Labor Day, the jobs report casts a pallor over red, white and blue celebrations.
Reactions ranged from angry to dismayed.

Though much attention is being paid to ‘zero job growth’ in August, the real news in today’s numbers is that job growth is worse than in recent months, and the nation continues to produce far fewer jobs than needed to meaningfully reduce the unemployment rate. In fact, in some ways the report was less than zero in that weekly hours fell, as did hourly earnings.. We need change!!!!!

— Kevin Scanlon · Fri, Sep 02 2011 06:37:02

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sagging consumer confidence probably discouraged already skittish U.S. businesses from stepping up hiring in August, keeping pressure on the Federal Reserve to provide more monetary

— Daniel Byler · Fri, Sep 02 2011 06:46:35
While economists expound on the reasons and politicians debate the solutions, my view is that the world has forever changed. Rather than trying to recreate what was, it is time to be equipped for what will be. We are shifting from a society that manufactures things to one that manufactures ideas. We see more people creating their own jobs with project work and small businesses. As individuals we need to be more visionary about our career paths, and advocate for our own futures. We also need government to support the new way to work by making it easier for small businesses to operate and create jobs and paving the way for big business to work more efficiently and effectively with independent contractors.

Chamber of Commerce: "Businesses want to expand and hire more workers, but they continue to be held back by a rising mountain of burdensome regulations coming out of Washington." Let's stop hindering job growth and start empowering our small business owners! A moratorium on job-killing regulations is one important step that will put Americans back to work!

— Mary Bono Mack · Wed, Aug 31 2011 11:02:38

More than 1 million self-employed Americans are no longer in business almost four years after the last recession began, as the economy constrains entrepreneurial activity and small-business job creation.

— Small Business Expo · Thu, Sep 01 2011 12:27:25
In spite of the onslaught of bad news, this remains a country where we can create our own opportunity. There is a saying, "if it is be it's up to me," that aptly applies to these times. We the people must create change if want to move forward to a bolder, better future. We can start by thinking outside of the box and creating ways to earn an income. We can work within our neighborhoods and communities to bring about change. While politicians bicker and economists analyze, we the people can make things happen. Are you up for the challenge?
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/august-jobs-report-reminds-workershttp://storify.com/karenswim/august-jobs-report-reminds-workersFri, 02 Sep 2011 14:04:18 GMT<![CDATA[An Empire in Peril]]>

The News of the World Hackgate story has dominated headlines for days. Each day new details emerge that broaden the depth and breadth of the story as reputations and careers crumble on both sides of the pond.

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Thu, Oct 27 2011 00:51:48

A company long known to cross ethical boundaries to get the story at all costs, cringes under the glare of its own empire.
Murdoch smacks down Fox News anchor for mentioning hacking scandal · ThinkProgress6
...and the media empire calls for backup from a well known PR firm.
Rupert Murdoch hires PR firm Edelman – PR problem or Moral problem? « Kempton – ideas RevolutionaryRupert Murdoch hires PR firm Edelman – PR problem or Moral problem? « Kempton – ideas Revolutionary
July 16th update: "Richard Sambrook, Global Leader of Edelman Crisis and Issues Management, former BBC's Director of Global News confirms zero involvement in Rupert Murdoch PR file" From Guardian, "Phone hacking: Rupert Murdoch calls in PR firm Edelman - PR company will report directly to general manager of News International" Jeff Jarvis has a point in saying, "Murdoch hires Edelman PR.
Reactions to the hiring of Edelman are swift and unfavorable.
If only Murdoch had seen the Edelman Trust Barometer…If only Murdoch had seen the Edelman Trust Barometer…
The News Corporation disaster was waiting to happen - and, ironically, Edelman, the PR firm tasked with advising NewsCorp on handling the current crisis, was the firm that saw the writing on the wall. Edelman, which measures ‘trust' in institutions (NGOs, government, business and media) annually, underlined the fall in trust in media in both the USA and UK.
Former Murdoch Executive, Rebekah Brooks however took hits not for key role in the unfolding scandal but for her choice of hairstyle. 
As others discussed the actors best suited to play the roles in the movie we all assume will be made.
The scandal took a darker turn with the death of whistleblower Sean Hoare.
'Murdoch dead, body discovered': LulzSec hacks 'The Sun' · RussiaToday
Another day, another resignation as more players fall under the bus of hackgate.
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/an-empire-in-perilhttp://storify.com/karenswim/an-empire-in-perilTue, 19 Jul 2011 15:03:05 GMT<![CDATA[RIP Sherwood Schwartz]]>

Here's the story of a man named Sherwood...who took us all on more than a 3 hour tour...

Storified by Karen D. Swim · Thu, Oct 27 2011 00:57:28

Sherwood SchwartzSherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Schwartz, Writer: The Red Skelton Hour.

The prolific TV writer was 94 and was also responsible for Gilligan's Island

— Lauren Feller Vernick · Tue, Jul 12 2011 14:12:57
Sherwood Schwartz · Cynopsis
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]]>http://storify.com/karenswim/rip-sherwood-schwartzhttp://storify.com/karenswim/rip-sherwood-schwartzTue, 12 Jul 2011 21:17:06 GMT