Holiday reading list

I am taking off from blogging over the holidays, but not from reading. So I figured sharing a list with my best finds would not hurt.

• The Blockchain is the New Database, Get Ready to Rewrite Everything
  
  The technology that makes Bitcoin possible will most likely be one of the major driving forces of innovation in 2015, at least judging from the excitement in tech circles.
• WeChat-based food delivery startup ‘Call a Chicken’ raises $1.6M angel round
  
  Startups and 3rd party services that “live” completely inside chat/messenger platforms – another possible major trend for the new year. Let’s see if Facebook opens up its Messenger (or WhatsApp).
• Consumerization of the Enterprise – Phase 2
  
  For a long time, people at work put up with horribly bad software and user interfaces. But then all the neat apps and online services for consumers came. Now, enterprise software will have to follow.
• The Most Pinteresting People in the World
  
  Each huge social media platform enables a few passionate and clever users to become “celebrities”. Pinterest is no exception.
• The Virologist: How a young entrepreneur built an empire by repackaging memes
  
  Until I read this piece I had never heard of Emerson Spartz, but apparently he is quite a big shot in the clickbait media scene.
• New King of Tech Startups: Smartphone Maker Xiaomi Raises $1.1 Billion at $45 Billion Valuation
  
  The Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is now valued higher than Uber.
• Justine Sacco Is Good at Her Job, and How I Came To Peace With Her
  
  Former Valleywag scandalmonger Sam Biddle about the dynamics, psychology and effects of Twitter outrage and how a single misunderstood tweet can ruin somebody’s life.
• Behind the Daily Paywall: The Site that Pays You to Read Pirated Article
  
  This had to happen: Piracy of paywall-protected newspaper content.
• Why the Facebook of Banking won’t own a charter
  
  Well-reflected piece explaining the difficulties for startups to replace traditional banks. This industry is a bit harder to disrupt.
• Good Riddance To Social Search
  
  A couple of years ago social search was seen as the next big thing. That didn’t happen at all.
• Top 5 Reasons The Raspberry Pi Sucks
  
  Warning: Irony.
• From Open (Unlimited) to Minimum Vacation Policy
  
  Some technology companies are proud of their policy to let employees choose freely the amount of vacation days they take. This post takes a critical stance and describes the possible negative outcome of such a concept.
• “The Interview” Could Make Online Premieres Popular In Hollywood
  
  Let’s really hope so!
• The secret to the Uber economy is wealth inequality
  
  The convenience/on demand/gig economy (whatever you want to call it) relies heavily on people who are desperate for work.