Iran protests

Americans could see gasoline spiking 10% to 18% higher in coming weeks as a result of the unrest in the Middle East, but they're unlikely to rocket as high as some are predicting -- unless the uprisings spread to Saudi Arabia. In that case, all bets are off.

In the long run, the changes being demanded in the Mideast may prove to be a cornerstone of further global economic growth and political stability. More immediately, though, the uprisings are likely to create exactly the type of uncertainty that investors dread.

For some, Twitter represents the end of the world -- or at least the death of human communication. In an increasingly "less is more" internet-writing trend, the incredible brevity of Twitter messages, or "tweets," leaves no room for deeper thought or connection. And the medium's ease of use...