Commentary on the responsibilities of democracy, Facebook’s attempt to map human behavior, the case for Fed easing, Arctic’s hidden treasures, the great Bieber contagion, and the Liberals only chance.

How Greece got swallowed by its own invention.

New York Times -- How Greece Squandered Its Freedom
MY country is hurtling toward an election that will decide its fate — whether Greeks will fight on to remain part of Europe’s core or succumb to their own weaknesses and turn inward, choosing isolation, anger and uncertainty greater than that from which they wish to flee.

Like/Unlike.

Technology Review -- What Facebook Knows
The company's social scientists are hunting for insights about human behavior. What they find could give Facebook new ways to cash in on our data—and remake our view of society.

Related. Of all issuances that raised more than $1 billion in the U.S., only Giant Interactive and United Microelectronics fared worse than Facebook (Unlike).

The Fed’s next move. Thanks to Russell of Victoria.

Pdf below -- US Economics: Fed Outlook Further Easing to Come

The blessing and curse of Arctic melting.

Economist -- Hidden treasures
The melting of the Arctic is both a blessing and a curse.

The science of Bieber.

Atlantic -- Science Confirms: Bieber Fever Is More Contagious Than the Measles
Imagine: you're the parent of an adolescent Justin Bieber fan. At some point, the musical heartthrob has probably struck fear into your heart -- the fear that your child is in the clutches of an unhealthy obsession.

 

Andrew Coyne delivers some tough love. (ed’s note – triangulating a strong economy with social and environmental justice is a potential blueprint for a revival: eliminate corporate taxes and the first $20,000 of earned income, establish a guaranteed annual income and Canadian carbon tax, and raise the GST to 10% with no exceptions)

National Post -- Plenty of room for a tell-it-like-it-is third party: Sadly, the Liberals aren’t that
Bob Rae is a serious man, and as a serious man could see the leadership of the Liberal Party is no place for serious men.