Thursday, December 18, 2008

An online Nostradamus, and the search for his identity

ECOOMIST: BACK in September a message appeared on an online bulletin board owned by Daum, the most popular web host in a country, South Korea, with a huge internet culture. Written by someone called “Minerva”, it predicted the imminent collapse of Lehman Brothers, a now-defunct investment bank.

Wild speculation is normally disregarded, but when it proved to be right just five days later, a prophet was born. Word raced through the “netizen” community, and when Minerva went on to predict that the Korean won would fall against the dollar by around 50 won a day in the first half of the week of October 6th, his followers began to watch the currency markets in anticipation. The won did indeed fall by about that much over the next three days.

Minerva became an internet phenomenon, with 40m-odd hits to date. Web-users combed through previous posts, looking for prognostications, and clues about his identity. Sharp comments on the state of the Korean economy and government policy only increased his standing. The media now call him “the Internet Economic President”.


The administration of President Lee Myung-bak is frequently accused of authoritarianism by opponents, so it came as little surprise when the finance minister, Kang Man-soo, admitted that officials had attempted to uncover the blogger’s identity. Some people believe him to be a senior figure in a financial firm. Others think he may even be a civil servant undermining the government from inside. All Minerva has revealed is that he is a man in his 50s.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

Anonymous said...

pocket change speed dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]carnival singles cruises[/url] belgium singles site http://loveepicentre.com/ dating sites

Anonymous said...

nursing medical topics [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/perte-de-poids.htm]perte de poids[/url] physiological factors that may affect blood pressure http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/viagra.htm blue smoke brisket http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/magen-darm.htm
mens health partnership [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/topamax.htm]topamax[/url] breast augmentation fort worth [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/baclofen.htm]blood orange cocktail[/url]

Anonymous said...

how to smoke fish zealand [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/generic-keflex.htm]generic keflex[/url] frequencies that induce orgasm http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/crestor.htm instuctors materal medical surgical nursing http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cipro.htm
tease orgasm milk handjob [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/motrin.htm]motrin[/url] diseases concerning the lack of vitamin e [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cytotec.htm]joint occupational health and safety[/url]

Anonymous said...

health insurance for kid [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/index.php?lng=es&cv=eu]Buy generic and brand medications[/url] medical seminars while traveling http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ophthacare.htm blockbuster health insurance part time employees http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/female-viagra.htm
pulmonary disorder and disease [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ayurslim.htm]ayurslim[/url] a picyure of a person using drugs with a story to go with it [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/viramune.htm]public health white papers[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://online-health.in/bisacodyl
[url=http://online-health.in/bentyl/dogs-bentyl]with draw from drugs[/url] amy winehouse drug abuse [url=http://online-health.in/arimidex/stopping-arimidex]stopping arimidex[/url]
erectile dysfunction and size http://online-health.in/angina/angina-de-pecho
[url=http://online-health.in/antabuse/antabuse-foods-to-avoid]pharmacy buyer wage[/url] cooks pharmacy pennsylvania [url=http://online-health.in/aripiprazole/aripiprazole]aripiprazole[/url]
zyprexa drug family http://online-health.in/anafranil/anafranil-side-effects
[url=http://online-health.in/antibiotic/brands-of-antibiotic-impregnated-beads]urine test mid stream drug test[/url] drug interaction norvasc [url=http://online-health.in/astelin/side-effects-of-astelin]side effects of astelin[/url] discount cialis levitra viagra [url=http://online-health.in/arimidex/effect-of-arimidex-on-testosterone-level-in-women]effect of arimidex on testosterone level in women[/url]

Anonymous said...

mercedes benz glk frankfurt http://autoexpress.in/maybach/mercedes/maybach/exelero automobile parts german stereo
[url=http://autoexpress.in/nissan/nissan/titan/washer/fluid/light/reset]silent auto auction[/url] economy auto sales martins ferry ohio [url=http://autoexpress.in/oldsmobile/how/rare/is/oldsmobile/final/500]how rare is oldsmobile final 500[/url]
mercedes hard top dolly http://autoexpress.in/motors/arneson/48j/booster/motors
[url=http://autoexpress.in/romeo/alfa/romeo/fiberglass/body/parts]citiwest volkswagen[/url] automobile roadside service clubs [url=http://autoexpress.in/peugeot/peugeot/automotive]peugeot automotive[/url]
mercedes benz club of america http://autoexpress.in/rally/fia/cancel/rally/organizer
[url=http://autoexpress.in/buell/buell/360/rear/tire/kit]american auto parts alamo texas[/url] automobile customization [url=http://autoexpress.in/maserati/maserati/coupe]maserati coupe[/url]

Anonymous said...

travel lodge golden http://greatadventures.in/motel/windmill-motel-mackay travel tn
[url=http://greatadventures.in/car-rental/car-rental-min-age]cheap travel insurance compare[/url] fodors travel [url=http://greatadventures.in/cruise/best-time-to-cruise-on-pacific-ocean]best time to cruise on pacific ocean[/url]
outbound travel agencies in denmark http://greatadventures.in/map/america-map
[url=http://greatadventures.in/adventure/cannondale-adventure]travel insurance comparison sites[/url] what countries are needing a visa for travel [url=http://greatadventures.in/inn/station-inn-nashville-jimmy-buffett]station inn nashville jimmy buffett[/url]
travel lpn http://greatadventures.in/cruises/free-christian-cruises velaro travel [url=http://greatadventures.in/cruise/christian-cruise-ship-jobs]christian cruise ship jobs[/url]

Anonymous said...

budget on a shoestring http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1232 extra height shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/red-beige-roberto-cavalli-color42.html]polish horseshoes[/url] mens shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/dresses-page4.html laurentian university [url=http://topcitystyle.com/armani-men-underwear-brand8.html]online shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

taryn rose shoes http://topcitystyle.com/-fabric-bags-women-category98.html dyanna lauren mpegs [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2469]wolverine shoes[/url] old fashion thigh high stockings
http://topcitystyle.com/leapord-print-color40.html clothing designer robert [url=http://topcitystyle.com/prada-casual-brand10.html]latex clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

sloppy anal http://theporncollection.in/sex-mature/busty-mature-bottoms
[url=http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/bbw-natural-mature]tube anal porn[/url] vintagr porn [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/gay-male-exhibitionist]gay male exhibitionist[/url]
amateur dawn marie videos http://theporncollection.in/gay-video/pat-patterson-gay
[url=http://theporncollection.in/lubricant/lubricant-analysis]adult baby geschichte[/url] amateur gangbang free videos [url=http://theporncollection.in/masturbating/koika-masturbating-video]koika masturbating video[/url]
cruise porn anonymously http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx
[url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-video/gay-and-lesbian-center-westport-missouri]hentai muscle[/url] adult getting acquainted games [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/politician-on-porn]politician on porn[/url]
pornstar anal sex http://theporncollection.in/sex-mature/mature-ameture
[url=http://theporncollection.in/lubricant/buy-hamico-lubricant]the chalange dildo[/url] anal shemales fucking shemales [url=http://theporncollection.in/free-hentai/toon-hentai]toon hentai[/url]

Anonymous said...

vanessa hudgens in porn http://xwe.in/blowjob/nude-clelebrity-sex-oral-blowjob-butt
[url=http://xwe.in/girl-anal/anal-stretching-experiment-diameter]black hentai[/url] explosion xxx [url=http://xwe.in/orgy/movie-trailers-bath-lesbian-orgy]movie trailers bath lesbian orgy[/url]
oma x porn http://xwe.in/condom/effectiveness-of-birth-control-condoms
[url=http://xwe.in/gay-boy/free-gay-match-match-in-valparaiso-indiana]adult cartoon thumbnails[/url] flash hentai pokemon [url=http://xwe.in/oral/ell-oral-language]ell oral language[/url]
telchar sexy themes sony e k 750 i http://xwe.in/fetish/panty-fetish-dating
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-stories/erotic-pictures-of-married-couples]roseanne barr sexy pics[/url] free speculum very rough amateur sex [url=http://xwe.in/gay-anal/gay-punish-boy-in-pe-lesson]gay punish boy in pe lesson[/url]
hentai sailor jupiter http://xwe.in/shemales/glamor-shemales
[url=http://xwe.in/fetish/teen-stocking-fetish]cambrian adult anime[/url] best damn dildo movie ever made [url=http://xwe.in/nylon/story-nylon-overall]story nylon overall[/url]

Anonymous said...

drug countercultures [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-acidite.htm]anti acidite[/url] carpol tunnel syndrome http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/metoclopramide.htm
ill never smoke weed with willy again [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/brand-viagra.htm]brand viagra[/url] terkey shoot choke tubes [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/gums.htm ]belly breast expansion stories [/url] eissac tea canada
signs of infection on [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/perdita-di-peso.htm]perdita di peso[/url] manic heart http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/shallaki.htm
funding for disaster medicine in missouri [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/mujeres-mejoramiento.htm]mujeres mejoramiento[/url] the influence of exercise and diet on student [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/erectile-dysfunction.htm ]do you have to turn a mineral lease as earned income [/url] heart shaped sapphire rings

Anonymous said...

boston fashion photographer http://luxefashion.us/42-roberto-cavalli-size23.html native mexican fashion [url=http://luxefashion.us/pecci-zip-jacket-for-men-item1204.html]two hearts maternity clothes[/url] designer handbags
http://luxefashion.us/-tank-tops-category60.html free doll clothes patterns [url=http://luxefashion.us/33-classic-denim-size29.html]masai shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

alanah hill australian fashion designer http://luxefashion.us/31-roberto-cavalli-size15.html old fashioned microphones [url=http://luxefashion.us/leapord-print-roberto-cavalli-color40.html]head racquetball shoes[/url] susanne knips dresdner kleinwort
http://luxefashion.us/navy-blue-white-color124.html nomex racing shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/versace-women-apos-s-long-sleeve-tops-brand1.html]opinions for comfortable shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

health day physician briefing [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/voltaren.htm]voltaren[/url] allegro medical tempe http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/septilin.htm
stopping birth control pills delay periods [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/betnovate.htm]betnovate[/url] free medical fetish stories [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/speman.htm ]boardman medical supply ohio [/url] best diet pill for fast weight loss
green princess depression glass [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/viagra-soft-flavoured.htm]viagra soft flavoured[/url] u of i medical service plan http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/shallaki.htm
cliques and drugs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/risperdal.htm]risperdal[/url] guard your heart [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zovirax.htm ]the lord looks upon the heart [/url] hygiene dental deck

Anonymous said...

make clothes color fast http://luxefashion.us/black-roberto-cavalli-color2.html gucci frames [url=http://luxefashion.us/tracksuits-page3.html]designer dress mother wedding[/url] shoes worn by shakira
http://luxefashion.us/black-red-jackets-amp-sweatshirts-color15.html washing clothes with sea water [url=http://luxefashion.us/replay-tunic-for-women-pink-item1832.html]laurens county georgia intern programs[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://xwv.in/pantoprazole/what/are/the/medicition/pantoprazole/uses
[url=http://xwv.in/ivermectin/injectible/ivermectin/purchase]drug test detox blog stuff[/url] when do most teens start taking drugs [url=http://xwv.in/labetalol/labetalol/pregnancy]labetalol pregnancy[/url]
ca board of pharmacy http://xwv.in/tramadol/buy/tramadol/00
[url=http://xwv.in/viagra/cialis/compare/levitra/viagra]rheumotoid arthritis drugs treatment most popular[/url] mexico zeta drug [url=http://xwv.in/viagra/canada/generic/viagra]canada generic viagra[/url]
university at buffalo pharmacy law review series may 23 http://xwv.in/lexapro/information/on/lexapro
[url=http://xwv.in/zyban/heart/attack/and/zyban]premix drugs for pharmacies[/url] drug addiction withdrawl symptoms codeine [url=http://xwv.in/oxybutynin/what/is/oxybutynin]what is oxybutynin[/url] prescription drug for cold sore [url=http://xwv.in/zyban/suicidal/ideation/zyban]suicidal ideation zyban[/url]

Anonymous said...

gambling addiction white plains http://xwn.in/betting_yankees-odds-betting casinos upo
[url=http://xwn.in/casino-online_quality-inn-casino-city]national lottery results august07[/url] games for samsung blackjack [url=http://xwn.in/roulette_casinos-casino-roulette-gambling]casinos casino roulette gambling[/url]
spades with jokers free downloads http://xwn.in/online-casinos_free-cash-online-casinos
[url=http://xwn.in/baccarat_don-tigert-baccarat-wealth]online free blackjack strategies[/url] gambling online news [url=http://xwn.in/slots_free-online-monopoly-slots]free online monopoly slots[/url]
puertorican lottery http://xwn.in/online-casinos_pennsylvania-pocono-casinos texas lottery mega millions [url=http://xwn.in/roulette_ultimate-roulette-system-urs]ultimate roulette system urs[/url]

Anonymous said...

teach me to play blackjack spanish 21 for free http://lwv.in/lottery/biggest-lottery-to-be-played baccarat table online casino
[url=http://lwv.in/roulette/roulette-wiz]bingo games to play[/url] utah eagle forum gambling [url=http://lwv.in/blackjack/blackjack-system-casinos-online]blackjack system casinos online[/url]
casinos detroit mi http://lwv.in/joker/joker-marchant-2008-schedule
[url=http://lwv.in/jackpot/north-american-millions-jackpot]marango casino age limit[/url] online rugby betting [url=http://lwv.in/poker-online/wood-poker-tables]wood poker tables[/url]
gambling list susan reed http://lwv.in/keno/internet-free-keno gambling cleveland ohio [url=http://lwv.in/poker-online/australian-pub-poker]australian pub poker[/url]

Anonymous said...

deep throat movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_midnight_clear/]midnight clear[/url] movie company of super size me http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_my_boys/ movie contain children nudity
good luck chuck movie myspace comments [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_i_due_superpiedi_quasi_piatti/]i due superpiedi quasi piatti[/url] naruto shippuden movie stream http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_messenger_the_story_of_joan_of_arc/ live action dragon ball z movie
how to burn dvd movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_flight_of_the_living_dead_outbreak_on_a_plane/]flight of the living dead outbreak on a plane[/url] movie screensaver
olivia mojica sex movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_top_dog/]top dog[/url] movie of horse giving birth http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_black_widow/ movie license
movie stone [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_girl_in_the_cafe/]the girl in the cafe[/url] photo from the movie the great escape http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_nothing_to_lose/ princess bride movie poster

Anonymous said...

gracie movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_pointer/]the pointer[/url] marley and me movie http://moviestrawberry.com/easy-downloads/letter_S/?page=12 picture scenes of the movie grease
indian movie websites [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_angels_with_dirty_faces/]angels with dirty faces[/url] montreal movie listings http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_bounty/ tina turner movie
high school musical 2 movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_return_of_the_ghostbusters/]return of the ghostbusters[/url] upcoming film the bee movie
adult internet movie database [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_presto/]presto[/url] movie selector http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_dancer_upstairs/ movie theatres in monroe mi
buy movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_something_beneath/]something beneath[/url] cinderella movie scrip http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_altered_states/ itunes movie burn to dvd

Anonymous said...

the gamers movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_scaramouche/]scaramouche[/url] geneseo movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_night_of_the_living_dead_70/ sasha saint movie
download simpsons movie cover [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_listener/]the listener[/url] full metal alchemist movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_ali_macgraw_yoga_mind_body/ download movie maker for windows xp
movie with 14 oscar nominations [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_lion_king_1/]the lion king 1[/url] movie the ten 44512
movie listg [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_jing_wu_men/]jing wu men[/url] movie return to me http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_snake_eyes/ willy wonka movie 1971
movie soundtrack lyrics [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_stargate_atlantis/]stargate atlantis[/url] movie outline http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_braveheart/ waist deep movie

Anonymous said...

the bad guy ijn the simpsons movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_at_close_range/]at close range[/url] purchase movie tickets online http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_last_hour/ movie box julian
bourne movie music [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_coffee_date/]coffee date[/url] field of dreams movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_fubar/ review of the last of the mohicans movie
watch spiderman movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_bloodrayne_ii_deliverance/]bloodrayne ii deliverance[/url] rent movie
online bootleg movie downloads [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_nell/]nell[/url] comixxxx movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbyyear/year_2007_high-quality-movies/?page=16 outpost the movie
horror movie titles [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_interstate/]interstate[/url] sweeney todd movie poster http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_friday_night_lights_70/ blu ray movie release dates for europe

Anonymous said...

[url=http://sexrolikov.net.ua/tags/Kayla/]Kayla[/url] Online porno : [url=http://sexrolikov.net.ua/tags/%EF%E0%F5%F3%F7%F3%FE/]пахучую[/url] , все это смотреть