Our weekly update, where we share what’s inspiring us:

NY Times | Twitter Study by Cornell University
Sociologists from Cornell University have produced a report after screening an epic two million tweets hailing from a total 84 countries. Their Twitter report provides commentary on our collective moods on a global scale, tracking how we express ourselves throughout the day.

On a related note, in 2008 we produced the Hope vs Despair project. This was our exploration of mood tracking on Twitter, take a look here.

Drew Breunig on Facebook’s Timeline
Drew Breunig shares his thoughts on Facebook’s new Timeline. He provides an interesting insight as to how Facebook are humanizing their interface, expecting more platforms to follow suit in the near future.

Google Launches Paid Analytics
For a long time Google has led the market with their free analytics tools; yesterday they finally introduced their first paid service. The premium service, available for an annual fee of $150,000, offers 24/7 customer support and a range of dynamic tools to help shape your web presence and manage your web content efficiently.

Unfolding the IKEA Effect
An interesting look at the “IKEA Effect” – the idea that we tend to value something more if we have a hand it building it ourselves. NeoAcademic summarizes an academic study about the theory, showing that it does in fact hold water. The same idea might apply to interactive work – if users have a role in crafting a digital experience, it might instill it with more personal value.

Spent | Online Game
Spent challenges you to manage your fragile finances as an unemployed American. This engaging game stands out amongst many peer efforts, promoting empathy toward those struggling in the current economic climate. The user must make a series of choices, each defining their path and ultimately their financial survival. It’s a great way of using interactive mechanics to really convey a situation that is difficult to communicate otherwise.