I adore this Wikipedia dictionary of emoticons, which includes Western and Asian versions. The range of emotions one can express with these symbols: mind-boggling and so useful!

Egg Emoticons by katerha, on Flickr

Below are some recent links I’d like to share. For your reference, I have chosen an esoteric emoticon that describes my reaction to each one.

On the Recent Protests in Chile
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This post by Setty Southam gives the best overview I have seen of the historical and macroeconomic issues behind the protests. Here, Kyle Hepp gives a great explanation of what it really means to be middle class here in Chile. And Eileen at Bearshapedsphere shows the ideals and destruction of last week’s national strike, in this vivid photo essay.

On Privilege
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“Itinerant educatrix” Maryanne Oxendale wrote this great piece on the privilege that we expats too often take for granted, which reminded me of this post about privilege and classism by my friend Akhila Kolisetty. I am incredibly privileged to be able to live the way I do, as an independent professional across the world from my home. I am especially grateful for the financial and physical health of my family, but the privileges that have shaped my life go back so much further than that, back to before I was even born. This is important for me to recognize and appreciate on a regular basis.

On Startups
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I like this article by Steve Blank, Why Governments Don’t Get Startups, which describes six types of startups, and describes the government policies needed to support each type. Start-Up Chile’s goal is to seed Scalable Startups. Blank says that Israel is the only country that has effectively seeded a Scalable Startup ecosystem. (Hat tip to Dad and Brenna)

On Dating
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I usually hate dating advice, but I like this piece from Women 2.0: Date an Entrepreneur.

On Solar Energy
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My favorite specialized wire news service (more often known as Grandma Ginny) sent me a great note about how American solar companies have fared. She writes: 

The following is copied from the today’s  Chronicle:

Solyndra solar modules are thin tubes rather than flat panels, struggled to compete against a flood of low-priced solar cells pouring out of heavily subsidized factories in China.   Last year,  the company canceled plans for a $300 million initial public stock offering and closed its first Fremont factory, laying off 40 people.   Solyndra’s executives will consider selling the business or licensing its technology to help pay back the governments investment.

The US once dominated solar manufacturing.   But other nations—notably China—jumped in, the U.S. share of the global market slid to below 10%, according to the Energy Department.     Solar module prices have plunged more then 40% in recent years, squeezing companies’ profit margins even as sales of solar systems grow.   Two other U.S,  solar companies,  Evergreen Solar  and Spectra-Watt filed for bankruptcy protection in August.

“The Chinese have really done an incredible job of eating everyone’s lunch”  said Stephen  Simko, a senior stock analyst who covers the solar industry for Morningstar research firm

Solyndra’s cost of production was roughly $2 per watt.  Some Chinese companies have production costs of roughly $1.20  to $1.25 per watt  said  Simko

On Interpreting the Latin American Soul
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I liked this review of Enrique Krauze’s history of thinkers that have shaped the development of this region.

On the Contagious Nature of Taking Leaps in Life
o/\o ^5 >_>^ ^

I love this post by Alexis Grant — To Meet Your Goals, Surround Yourself With Go-Getters, about how one person’s Leap (quitting a day job to pursue a perhaps less stable dream) inspired another’s and another’s and another’s…

I’m curious to hear what you think of these posts. Would you choose different emoticons?