2011

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  [Article] Positive Tenor of Social Mood Expression

  At the 2009 bottom, economists were a bundle of nerves. Now, after a two-year rebound in social mood, they’re extremely confident. What might this change signify?
   
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  [Article] There’s Always a Mix

  Most of the world has transitioned to a more positive social mood, but some indicators — like housing prices — continue to lag. Why a mixed social mood?
   
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  [Article] Glenn Beck’s Goodbye

  Glenn Beck had a meteoric rise to the top of cable news. He doubled his audience in 2008, and by early 2009 had more viewers for his 5 p.m. show than all his competitors combined. His popularity extended beyond the tube — with six straight number-one bestsellers and a massive “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington, D.C. Now — all of a sudden — Glenn Beck can’t buy a break. Glenn Beck’s sponsors started to pull out in mid-2009, his past two books failed to hit number one, his ratings endured the steepest drop of any cable news show during the period, and his “Restoring Honor” rally became the brunt of jokes and parodies. How did Glenn Beck go from accolades to insignificance in such a short period of time?
   
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  [Article] Post-Crash Reality: From Houses as Assets to Houses as Utilitarian Goods

  Much has changed in America’s housing recently. Yet the most dramatic shift may be the market’s move away from the realm of speculative investment, and back to a place to call home. It’s likely that you (or someone you know) understand this from first-hand experience. No surprise there; EWI has been predicting the shift for over a decade. Now, friend of the Institute Peter Atwater takes a fresh look at these connections. One of the most practical reasons to look at any market through the eyes of its participants is to envision the surprising possibilities for the future.
   
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  [Article] A Muscle Car Resurrection? Big Social Mood Move Leads to Burning Rubber

  Why have American automakers recently produced a new generation of ultra “muscle cars”? Learn the answer in this latest update on social mood and the cars we drive.
   
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  [Article] Evaluating a Potential New Sociometer

  The Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index ask respondents about “positive and negative emotions” each day. What’s the preliminary verdict?
   
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  [Article] Murdoch Deal: The End of a Boom?

  Rupert Murdoch’s previous acquisitions have been a key timing signal. What might the latest one — his biggest ever — signify for News Corp’s stock prices and Australia’s ASX?
   
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  [Article] How Sweet It Was

  By Alan Hall & Euan Wilson | Excerpted from the March 2011 Socionomist   In this fascinating short article, socionomists Alan Hall and Euan Wilson explain how social mood affects U.S. sugar consumption. Here is a very brief excerpt of the March 2011 piece. In the September 2004 issue of […]
   
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  [Article] A Socionomic View of the News

  Learn what drug runners’ wanting to be paid in gold bars can tell you about trend extrapolation.
   
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  [Article] Growing Polarization: Pension Envy and Hate Groups

  The year 2010 saw a new record number of hate groups and growing tensions between the public and private sector. Is this increasing polarization ending — or just beginning?