Zeitgeist Data, Frog Princes, Free Laptops, & The End of Social Media?

There's been a lot brewing in the Internet Marketing world the past few days, so much that I throw up my hands and wonder what to really look at and analyze.  While I sit and ponder what in-depth knowledge to relate back about some of these subjects, I'll give you a link round up to read up.

• Steve Rubel is reporting that Social Media in No More - Steve I think I might have to get back to you on that (this could be one time where I disagree with him), I'm leaning more toward agreeing with the "Ad Guy" - David Armano's post on Logic & Emotion.
• One of the two Frog/Toad Princes are at it again (and there will be a part 2)- let me ask you, how long can you beat a dead horse for publicity sake?  Apparently this pair just doesn't get it.  Please read here, here and here for proper Toad Stomping.
• Microsoft (via Edelman) is apparently giving out free laptops to bloggers on the A List and Z List (they forgot the B -> Y listers).  However it seems, they've changed their minds about the bloggers keeping them.  The blogosphere is in a buzzing fury and one of the receivers is auctioning the laptops on E-Bay - donations to go to charity (kudos to Scott!). 
• Digg got another round of funding - according to Venture Beat the Web 2.0 company has recieved 8.5 million in VC funding.  However, Digg is claiming it isn't being gamed - please refer to here,  here, here and here for information that proves otherwise.
• Google's explaining where it's getting its Zeigeist Data for its top searches list of 2006.  I guess they were listening to Danny.
• Scoble's bringing politics to the blogosphere and is on the campaign trail with Presidential contender John Edwards.  Maryamie though, is trying to keep him in line. :)
• Hitwise is showing that Google Blogsearch is beating out Technorati and Sphere, however, Techcrunch says comScore is telling a different story (don't they always?).
• Both Barry Schwartz at SEL and Steve Rubel (both are such busy guys!) are reporting that Yahoo's taken their forums offline.
• Pay Per Post just purchased some of Performancing assests, although Tech Crunch scooped this story - Lee Odden's got a much better "view" on the whole story.
• There's a in-depth article on the Images & Search Engines panel I was on with Vanessa Fox, Chris Smith and Shari Thurow at SES Chicago - just published out on Search Engine Watch - in Search Day.
• Lastly, my buds over at PartyGaming acquired two of their competitors' sites.  No, they aren't my buds because I play poker *I don't even know how* - but because they buy me mojitos! :)

Whew... that's a lot of news and a lot of links!  Enjoy!

Comments

[Cygnus]

Well, if social media does happen to meet an unlikely death, might I suggest a new buzz for 2007? Mobile marketing!
http://www.paydayloanaffiliate.com/blog/IsMobileMarketingTheNextSearchMarketing.aspx

[MarkH]

A new buzz for 2007? Mobile marketing? -- ubet it's going to happen! here's some news: we have used "Text Link Ads" for several years and found them to be very reliable. I highly recommend them. For building links to my site, a Google pr6, I have been using LinkMachine and this software has been super in all respects. These comment were made for free but the link to LinkMachine is my affiliate link, cheers - MarkH

[cctech]

As I was reading this post, I was thinking "Wow, that is a TON of links." It must have taken you quite some time to write this ;). Great post, Li.