The power of words

I spend a lot of my day (and night) talking to people.  In fact, if I were to total all of the activities in my life – and probably the lives of most people I know – the largest single activity on which time is spent (although curiously perhaps not by level of effort) across my entire life has been communication.  Words have meaning.

New Year’s Eve

43 billion (43,000,000,000)

For some, the morning after New Year’s Eve comes all too early and the after-effects of a (long) night of imbibing has us wishing we could have just a few more minutes of sleep.  For others, New Year’s Day is filled with wishful thinking and hope that we can conjure the courage and commitment to lose the weight, get the new job, find a new romantic interest, etc. in the 365 days to come.  

Every 60 seconds on the Internet (part II)

1,820,000,000,000 (1,820 trillion)

As we discussed in yesterday’s post, dear Alice (of Wonderland) found it difficult to swallow the notion that the White Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass pondered the impossible on a regular basis.  Given the incredible year that was 2011, it is only fitting that we wrap up with the second of two posts about the most amazing things that happen ever 60 seconds on the Internet.  

Every 60 seconds on the Internet (part I)

695,000

In Lewis Carroll’s fantasy novella Through the Looking-Glass Alice has a most curious conversation with the White Queen (as well as the White King who never seemed to make it into Tim Burton’s 2010 film version) about believing in the impossible:  

Google’s Zeitgeist 2011: Year In Review

I know this is a shameless promotion for Google’s portfolio of search, social, local, mobile, etc. services but you have to admit it is a great video.  It is hard to believe that 2011 is almost over and looking back at all of the amazing, wonderful, and tragic things that have happened in twelve short months – it is a powerful reminder of what an incredible time in which we are living.  

‘Tis the season

Until 04-January, this blog will feature falling snow.  That is all.

Those were the droids you were looking for

Those were the droids you were looking for.  Awesome.  http://ow.ly/2bs8kz

1,000 posts

On Friday, November 18, 2011 The Road Not Taken crossed the symbolic 1,000 post mark thanks to the loyal readership.  It only took 20 months or approximately 1.6 posts per day.  In honor of this dubious outstanding accomplishment, I’ve included the top 100 posts (and pages) of all time.  

Google’s digital advertising market dominance

64%

According to some detective work and quick arithmetic on the part of Darren Herman, 64% of all digital ad spend worldwide is controlled by just five companies.  In case you hadn’t guessed from the image above, Google is far and away the leader of the pack receiving over $29.32 billion of the estimated $64.03 billion spent on digital advertising (according to ZenithOptimedia).

2011 Halloween candy sales

600 million (600,000,000)

During the week leading up to Halloween, 600 million pounds of candy – valued at approximately $1.9 billion – are sold in the United States according to The Nielsen Company.  Of the different types of candy, chocolate is by far the most popular.