(image) I’m frustrated. Why? Because there are so many extraordinary stories happening right now in our industry, but coverage seems driven by the endless cycle of post and spin, rather than lean back and consider. And right now, we need more leaning back, and more stroking of chins during a good conversation filled with smoke and whiskey. If you agree, send me a note. I could use the encouragement. I sense an opportunity.

Meantime, to the links.

Don’t Kid Yourself, Mobile Ad Companies: Apple Really Does Want to Lock Up the App Market (ATD) I recently spoke with Apple about this issue. I did not come away with a clear understanding of where the company was going on this issue. However, this is a major, major fork in the road. If Apple makes it impossible for third party networks to thrive in the “i” ecosystem, well, that ecosystem is no longer part of the web as we know it. Doesn’t mean it’s over, folks. Just means it’s not the web. It’s …. cable. Or magazines. It’s just not the web. More on this soon.

Mark Zuckerberg Did Not Take Your Privacy (AdAge) The worm turns, as it always does in a major controversy. There’s the backlash, then the lash back on the backlash. Folks, this is a WAY more sophisticated issue than the current coverage reflects. This piece is a start, but it’s not all there. Yeah, yeah, Battelle, so write something thoughtful. Good point. After my board meeting.

Women Take Lead on Mobile Coupons (eMarketer) I know, you are STUNNED. But you love charts, don’t you? I mean, who doesn’t love charts?

Facebook Prepares To Announce 500 Million Users (All Facebook) Look. Half a billion people are using Facebook. They’re vaguely uncertain whether this whole privacy thing is a real issue. But they’re not stopping use of Facebook. They’re waiting for Facebook to address it. Which it will, mark my words.

Starbucks Hopes to Caffeinate Foursquare Users (ClickZ) Be mayor, save money. Pretty simple, really. I like it. Now, if I could only get a dollar for every time I check into the office…

Newly Revealed Apple Patent Hints at Deep Facebook-iPhone Integration (Mashable) Yes, and…not exactly. Read my take for more.

Google, Apple and Facebook: The Addressable Media Future For Display (AdExchanger) Look, I love a good lede (that’s journo speak for “first paragraph of an article.”) And this is a good lede: “Google, Facebook and Apple are on a collision course as each company’s content and technology are merging into a super-heated cauldron of profit.” Not a great sentence, mind you – and an exacting editor would have fixed that – but a fine lede nonetheless. Sigh. I miss exacting editors. They usually drank whiskey, come to think of it.

Track Your Kid’s Allowance Online (LifeScoop) I know, random. But…Got kids? Yeah. I do – and you can tell what’s on my mind.

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