Bye from Italy, where people is not optimistic now… and where there is a man called Berlusconi, do know him?

I’ve been covering the Google, Pfizer and Oracle layoffs on The Daily Anchor, and as a follow up today I wrote an article on tips for finding a job in a recession. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no magic trick for finding a job right now, but there are some things you can do to at least increase your chances of finding an opportunity and landing an interview…

“What to Do if You’ve Been Laid Off: Finding a Job in a Recession” http://www.thedailyanchor.com/2009/01/15/what-to-do-if-youve-been-laid-off-finding-a-job-in-a-recession/

Russia Strikes Back Happily ignoring the lessons of the Weimar Republic, the West has at best ignored but de facto humiliated the ex-Soviet state after losing the Cold War, and basically drove them in the arms of their former arch-rival China. So far so good, if it wasn’t for the natural gas reserves that we want to buy from them so badly. How badly, the Russians remind us of every winter, like in this example. Now, today energy costs are more or less affordable again, but we all know this will not last. Russia will be back on the global stage with gas as a carrot and still some nuclear moral pressure as a back-up stick.

The ‘violent left’ History (R.A.F., Red Brigades, Action Directe) also repeats itself here. With Seattle in the back of our heads and Athens still smouldering, attentive web surfers have probably come across this unsettling document, which has caused considerable alarm in Paris national security headquarters. It is very well possible that we are underestimating the potential danger of a well organised group of young educated middle class subversive zealots, operating in a secretive global network. Google ‘Tarnac’ and start reading and shivering. (We understand that so far they have not been spotted sipping tea with Al-Qaida.)

The Web Industry Yes, the web industry. And yourself, most likely, as a willing collaborator. Crunchreport sees the development of a Big Hairy Scary Government as unavoidable. National debts will skyrocket to so far unimaginable heights, requiring governments to order new money presses and you to figure out how to stay afloat (you won’t). In order to implement increasingly unpopular decisions, governments will seek to grow control over its citizens. And technologies to do so are either already available or you are helping them with testing prototypes. You are backing up your harddisk and passwords on line. It’s free, isn’t it? You think it is justified for the state to limit your internet access today (well, who can defend child pornography?) and screening web traffic between computers tomorrow (the technology is already available). As if it is not enough to be traceable with your mobile phone every second, you now admire RFID technology and are volunteering for chip implants, having your personal data readable for all authorities involved (resulting in shorter waiting lines at the airport security gate for sure). Anything else would be less than ‘patriotic’ would it not? If you are innocent, what do you have to hide in the first place? Global political relations will deteriorate due to energy and commodity scarcity and price volatility, leading to a further lack of trust and increased tensions between nations. Hyperinflation will rapidly create weak spots in the social fabric, which will be countered by the political elite with further reduction of checks and balances in a web-based version of the ‘Patriot’ Act? This then will in turn prepare a natural breeding ground for insurgency movements.

Meanwhile count your blessings and start following the reco’s from the Escape List on Crunchreport.com.

4 out of 5 don’t expect to be laid off is amusing?? Isn’t that 80%?

I guess everyone can’t respond “correctly” to the fear-mongering press.

http://www.ecomingler.com/2009/01/08/green-business-cards/

I guess the people that are interviewed believe that the software/management/administration that they do actually contributes to the company’s bottom line and is invaluable. Most likely true, but in some cases there are sponges. Companies are using the talk of “recession” to get rid of the cruft that accumulates in staffing.