Sterling @ Cool Tools
Great pick.
Illicit Flu Vectors
Given the amount of illicit traffic (goods, humans, drugs) between Mexico and the United States, the number of cases both within that country and this may be much higher (given that participants in that network are much less likely to approach a physician).
Also, the full economic impact of a potential pandemic are not incorporated into white economy estimates because they do not take into account this thriving sector of the global economy. (Which will expand further into both counterfeit and real versions of vaccines and antivirals.)
Higher Education
Mark C. Taylor explains what would have to be done to the current higher education system in order to keep it alive while maintaining its centralized nature. In short, he says, compress until the fat leaks out (including tenure).
The other option, which is much more viable in the long run – explode education to a series of certifications.
Fractal History of Mankind
Rob has a great trilogy of posts (that he should turn into a book). Here‘s the first.
Pandemic Network Analysis
Excellent post fromValdis Krebs on how a virus propogates throughout a workplace.