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Three Years Of Zero Hedge

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Today is the three year anniversary of Zero Hedge.

Starting with humble beginnings and even humbler aspirations, and proceeding through over half a billion page views filled with breaking news, analyses, cynical ruminations, snarky sarcasm, grotesque hyperbole (two words best used to explain our current socio-economic catastrophe), and broadly - entertainment - this website has been lucky enough to grow into the world biggest fully independent financial blog (whatever that means), garnering between 1 and 2 million page views daily (usually VIX-dependent), and serving around 4 million unique readers per month from all around the world.

While we enjoy cutting through the endless media bullshit and propaganda, exposing stupidity, learning from our mistakes, often with a much-needed dose of self-preserving humor that is so critical in this day and age, and hoping to satisfy a persistently unmet niche in the media space, the truth is that no matter the content, the site would not have succeeded or achieved anything without you, our reader. And while most come here to quietly read, learn, snicker, or just to pass the time between trade confirms and fake European bailout headlines, others prefer to engage in direct commentary, often times boisterous, frequently venting, and always uncensored and uncut. Because more than anything, this is a place for anyone and everyone who has an open mind, and more importantly, a sense of humor.

It is to you, our readers, that we owe our sincerest gratitude for providing not only one of the most educated and intelligent, not to mention outspoken, readership bases one could hope for, but for constantly engaging us, and helping us grow and develop in ways we had never thought possible.

It is this what "social media" is all about.

As for everything else, it will happen... in due course. The transition from point A to point B will not be fast and it will not be easy, but it will take place. Because systems out of equilibrium always revert in due course.

And we expect to be there covering, analyzing, and certainly mocking it, every step of the way.

 

Yours Sincerely,

the ZH crew

 

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Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:26 | 2048504 Conrad Murray
Conrad Murray's picture

Cheers! Fuck the MSM.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:31 | 2048511 economics1996
economics1996's picture

 

Three fucking years?  My blog has been around 4 years and the readership is a fucking whooping 7 readers and 4 of them are my family, I am fucking jealous now.

 

For 2011 the Federal Reserve increased the M-1 money supply 18.5% from $1.8288 trillion to $2.1678 trillion.

In 2011 the M-2 supply increased 9.8% from $8.8037 trillion to $9.6648 trillion.

The Money Zero Maturity (MZM) increased 8.9% from $9.8562 trillion to $10.7373 trillion.

The monetary base, the money the Federal Reserve prints, increased 28.3% in 2011.

 

 

http://usa-wethepeople.com/2012/01/review-of-monetary-data-for-2011/

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:31 | 2048540 Conrad Murray
Conrad Murray's picture

I ALMOST forgot something very important...

http://europeanfinancialsystemdeathclock.com/

snacky: hi

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:35 | 2048561 Chuck Bone
Chuck Bone's picture

The sense of humor is indeed important. The best comedy comes from the darkest reality. Perhaps that's why Zerohedge, one of the best sites at poking fun at the absolute clusterfuck that is our financial system, is so successful.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:38 | 2048580 SloMoe
SloMoe's picture

"It is this what "social media" is all about."

 

Uh oh. When is the IPO ?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:41 | 2048606 Hey Assholes
Hey Assholes's picture

Hey Moe!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:49 | 2048637 SloMoe
SloMoe's picture

Scram, you knucklehead!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:58 | 2048702 Cheesy Bastard
Cheesy Bastard's picture

God bless you Tyler!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:02 | 2048719 Sockeye
Sockeye's picture

Happy birthday ZH. My favorite Internet destination, bar none!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:32 | 2048860 Pegasus Muse
Pegasus Muse's picture
The best site, bar none, for independent thought, uncensored news and analysis on the markets and the economy. 

 

"All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don't sit looking at it - walk!" -Ayn Rand"

 ZH shows us the road.  All we need do is read, think and act.  Thanks ZH Crew for all you do.
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:52 | 2048955 Harlequin001
Harlequin001's picture

3 years? Seems like a lifetime. Well done...

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:09 | 2049011 redpill
redpill's picture

Nice, congrats Tylers.  Been a great run, looking forward to much more.

 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:18 | 2049045 FEDbuster
FEDbuster's picture

Happy Birthday, Bitchez!

and many more.......

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:07 | 2049165 strannick
strannick's picture

Thank you Zerohedge.

I read you everyday, all day, and Im a better, richer (gold bitchez) man for it.

God Bless you Tyler.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 03:09 | 2049387 Canaduh
Canaduh's picture

How much better off would ZH be if many of the top commentators had not left for a multitude of reasons? For those not around in the first few months, it was truly special, where it felt like the only place on the internet where discussing certain topics was met with more than cricket chirping and blank stares . Now, with the amount of trolls etc., its' just  'good'.

Cheeky Bastard (not the mock troll)

Chumbawumba (not the mock troll)

etc etc

And when people like akak and Cog Dis who saw the matrix for what it truly is, posted more often.

I miss the old ZH, it became a victim of its' own success.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 06:40 | 2049559 akak
akak's picture

Thank you for the accolades, Canaduh, although I think I hardly deserve any special mention, especially compared to many of the old posters to whom you allude.  When I first started lurking here just over two years ago, I frequently felt, and was, so out of my depth that I only did just that --- lurk --- rather than post any comments, and even when I started chiming in it was with no great frequency at first.  ZeroHedge did feel truly "special" back then, but perhaps that was at least partly due to my not taking it for granted, as I do now.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:27 | 2049601 smlbizman
smlbizman's picture

dear zero hedge,

happy birthday, would not be sleeping at night if not for you guys and gals clearing the fog...

i would like to continue getting my beauty sleep...

I {we} need a plan b...kennedy, lincoln, and et als. have met with a little bad luck trying to do whats right..

you and your flock have to be on the " are you sure you want to permanently delete this group?".......

so, i would think they are going to make it necessary for us to  need plan b?...so,we should probably get started on it..

once again, thank you and keep it up

happy birthday....   

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:49 | 2049615 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

I'll second your comment. I drifted into ZeroHedge in early March of 2009 and lurked for the first few months, in awe of what I found both with Tyler and the comment section. It wasn't until nearly May of 2009 that I began to post as an Anon and a further 2 or 3 months before I grabbed an avatar and fully joined in on the conversation.

A special shout-out to Tyler (and Marla) who plucked me from the comment section and offered me a clean and uncensored white board in which to post my articles, which frequently have nothing to do with the financial world, but have everything to do with we humans who are the social/financial world. 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:54 | 2049639 akak
akak's picture

CogDis, your articles may have only tangentially dealt with financial matters, but I always have felt that they enliven and significantly add to the overall intellectual tenor of this site.  Your comments have always been very worthy of consideration as well.  I am glad that you are still a part of this crazy, hardnosed, chaotic, wonderful community.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 11:30 | 2050213 Badabing
Badabing's picture

Happy_Birthday_Zero_Hedge I_love_you_man! Can_we_speak_frankly? Yes_we_can! Thank_you.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 15:38 | 2051344 gravedestruction
gravedestruction's picture

Agghhh!

SO THINNNNNNNNN!

This how you get comment on 1st page?

Well done Tyler and ZH Crew

Three years from the ninth day of the ninth year?

Happy Three to Thee...

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:41 | 2619166 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Late congrats .. how did I miss that one? And how thin do comments here actually get..?

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:42 | 2619170 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Now .. that's worth a test..

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:42 | 2619172 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

ZeroSpace?

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:42 | 2619175 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Zero___?

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:43 | 2619176 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

3..2..1......

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:43 | 2619182 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Shit, there's still some air left..

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:44 | 2619185 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

One has to run out of space evenually...

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:44 | 2619188 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Not yet!

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:45 | 2619191 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

Reminds me of CERN and the quest for the Holy Boson. How Small can you get?

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:46 | 2619196 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

5  s p a c e s   left?

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:48 | 2619199 ZeroSpread
Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:49 | 2619203 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Bosons: I'm tunneling!

Sun, 07/15/2012 - 22:51 | 2619207 ZeroSpread
ZeroSpread's picture

 

 

 

 

 

The grass is always greener on the other side, Tyler!

(done.)

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 00:03 | 2053268 downrodeo
downrodeo's picture

perhaps, it is nearly time to kick it up a notch or quit

 

hup zh

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 14:19 | 2050941 Carl Spackler
Carl Spackler's picture

Happy Birthday, indeed.

...Sorry, I didn't get you a gift this year.  My U.S. dollar lost purchasing power.

 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:22 | 2049053 UnderDeGun
UnderDeGun's picture

Ditto, Zero.  Or is it Zero, ditto?  regardless - Happy birthday ya big lugs and lugettes!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:26 | 2049675 Fukushima Sam
Fukushima Sam's picture

Thanks for waking us up, Tyler, you rock!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:34 | 2049085 waylon153
waylon153's picture

Excuse me while I whip this out.

 

What long strange trip it's been from Seeking Alpha. Happy Bday Tylers and all you bitchez.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:37 | 2049223 Uchtdorf
Uchtdorf's picture

Grateful Dead: Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip it's been. Those are the words to describe our world. How can so few see the unwinding of Western Civilization and be so blase about it?

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 02:43 | 2049356 zhandax
zhandax's picture

You want  to take a mulligan on that one?  How can you fail to be blase about something you don't see?  I also found Tyler on SA, but mine was a very short, one-click, one-way trip.  Happy Birthday guys, and many more.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:07 | 2049580 Bulletsnbullion
Bulletsnbullion's picture

I remember ZH from it's blogspot days. First time I came across it it was all mostly over my head. 3 years later I've been thoroughly educated. well done

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 02:40 | 2049357 Whalley World
Whalley World's picture

lifetime? that was the fastest last few years ever.  wake up and go to bed with ZH.  When the nukes are in flight, we'll find it first here.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:33 | 2048871 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

By every test, the very best.

In a no hopey changey world, a rock to crash poor notions on.

Awesome ZH and thanks for allowing my by-lining. 

And as much as to the crew, the gang down below and up above....

will we see another three? 

Cheers!

ori

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:41 | 2048878 franzpick
franzpick's picture

We saw the whole thing coming, sold our house (late) at the '06 RE high, and spent '07, '08 and '09 blogging calculated risk believing it was the bleeding edge of the emerging 90 year credit-collapse.  So, so wrong.  Several months of comparing ZH reality to calculated risk's continuing bad data (lagging 3 month average case-shiller home prices sanitized of distressed sales, for one example) and continuous cool-aid inspired monthly recovery and soft-landing scenario suppositions, soon proven wrong and then conveniently forgotten, led us to the wisdom of ZH, Mish, Williams, Reggie, Jesse and others.  Like I said: if there's anyone I failed to insult at CR, I apologize.

Thanks. You score TD.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 05:09 | 2049495 Squid-puppets a...
Squid-puppets a-go-go's picture

i saw the whole thing coming too coz i read mike whitneys stuff on Information Clearing House portending the mortgage backed securities and credit default swap calamities -  but his work went off the boil aout the time i cottonned onto ZH.

Member since ZH was 10 months old - and at that stage it had already twice embarrassed Congress to amend some hopelessly inadequate regulations

Tyler was the shrewdest motherfucker out there and remains as sharp as ever

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:36 | 2048881 erg
erg's picture

Happy B'Day ZH et al! An excellent summation. Erudite. Brevity is the heart of wit.

Many more please.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:47 | 2048935 Legal Beagle
Legal Beagle's picture

I was going to say my knowledge has increased ten-fold since I stumbled onto this site, but when I thought about it, I realized that my knowledge actually increased infinity-fold because when I started, I actually knew nothing. Thanks Tylers.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:00 | 2049153 Alienated Serf
Alienated Serf's picture

infinity times zero is still zero.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 06:56 | 2049574 Grimbert
Grimbert's picture

No it isn't. Not always anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indeterminate_form

 

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:58 | 2048703 TheSilverJournal
TheSilverJournal's picture

Group activities are wonderful..especially group learning. Tyler, thank you for leading the class lessons.

TheSilverJournal.com

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 10:40 | 2049968 peekcrackers
peekcrackers's picture

HAPPY B DAY  ZH !

Tyler .. thanks for all the hard work and fact finding . The best site going.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:41 | 2048904 Rich_Lather
Rich_Lather's picture

I'm fuckin rollin @ Moe an Curly. Too funny!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:40 | 2048905 Rich_Lather
Rich_Lather's picture

Give 'em hell, Tyler.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 04:22 | 2049467 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

UP TO THE NEXT 3 YEARS WITHOUT SLEEP TYLER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ENTIRE CREW! :)

 

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:47 | 2048643 pupton
pupton's picture

I was thinking along the same lines..."where can I buy some shares?" in this growth/tech/social media/networking/blog phenomenon....

I seriously had no idea ZH was this young. Congrats! This is already a huge and growing success!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:52 | 2049709 Obummer
Obummer's picture

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Americans, good citizens of the world. Three years ago today a new threat to the security of our nation arose.  My administration moved immediately to counter this threat through the use of advanced social media tools and well-paid puveyors of sanctioned information.

Despite our best efforts, however, the threat persists and becomes stronger.  Let me be clear; I will not allow this threat to continue. I will not allow the good people of this nation to be led astray. Not as long as I am president.

Some say that that a free flow of information is vital to a healthy democracy. But in this era of instant information exchange there must be limits. For behind this threat are the very terrorists we have been fighting against for so long.  And now these terrorist organizations have infiltrated the very heart of America, and are in our living rooms and our bedrooms even as I speak.  Rest assured that I will do everything in my power as President of this great nation to repel this threat to our ways, and that in the coming months we shall take decisive action against this new menace to our financial stability and Constitutional law.  We will protect democracy around the world.  We will win the future.

Thank you, good night, and God bless America.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 13:32 | 2050716 pslater
pslater's picture

The terrorists are in the White House, the Administration, the Congress, and the regulatory agencies.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:02 | 2048706 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

Have you not been paying attention?  AFTER the collapse.  That way true domination will be possible.

Dateline: day after tomorrow "This just in from ZH- yes, we saw this coming.  I think we might have been the only one.  Probably a good idea to turn off MSNBC and follow ZH TV."

Edit: I am free to head your advertising efforts in the Twin Cities.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:40 | 2048908 fuu
fuu's picture

We could use some farking snow.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:48 | 2049111 JohnG
JohnG's picture

 

 

And Tyler's, I'll turn over my portfolio to you guys.

There's not a machine on this planet I can't program and have my way with.  Even remote.  Give me physical access, and well....you programmers out there know :)

Since reading ZH, I'm in a very, VERY much better financial position now. Solid. Solvent even.  And sane.  (Alliteration is my favorate literary device by design and decision, distinction, diguise, disgust at times! )

Thank you.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:28 | 2048850 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

If we cared only about fake money, we wouldn't be here.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:41 | 2048913 Cabreado
Cabreado's picture

An IPO would make me sad.

Other than that, my personal message to the ZH crew (on top of "Thanks") is...

keep your Humility.

Then... Onward and Upward rings true.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:30 | 2049678 Motorhead
Motorhead's picture

"When is the IPO?"

That aroused laughter of many decibels!

Happy Birthday, ZH.  I'm surprised no astrologists have appeared praising the good (or dwelling on the bad) things of being a Capricorn.

Here's to many more years!

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 01:20 | 2053505 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

well, since the thread is "old" now, I'll bite!

while I don't have the details I'd need to draw up a chart, I can tell you that ZH's "date" has Pluto at 1dg Capricorn - and the chart for the Federal Reserve has the Sun at that same degree - the archetypes here would be:  the Sun is the Face of the entity to the world, how it shows itself to the world; Pluto is the endgame, it destroys what has been sown, leaves the field barren awaiting new growth - it's "death" but also "rebirth" as each is part of the endless cycle. . .

that ZH has set its sights on "exposing" the Fed, exposing in a way that vampires exposed to the light. . . die. . . well, it's rather poetic really. . .

ZH relationship to amrka's chart - oppositions, Capricorn / Cancer - has the planet Mars, god of war, masculine sign - opposite amrka's Cancer Sun - so again, there will be no truce, take no prisoners, this is "personal" - ha!

(as you were folks, heh)

 

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:38 | 2048583 Vampyroteuthis ...
Vampyroteuthis infernalis's picture

What is the first rule of Fight Club!?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:40 | 2048603 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

"What is the first rule of Jewish Fight Club? When someone says owww, you stop!" - Family Guy.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:54 | 2048678 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

"garnering between 1 and 2 million page views daily"

Yeah but 200K - 400K a day are clearly divided between GeneMarchBanks, Mr Lennon Hendrix, trav7777 and about 22 other people and myself...but it really depends on whether or not the munchies have set in...then we are easily distracted by shiny objects.

Sincere congratulations and more importantly thankyou for the eyes you open up and morons you give all of us ample fodder to comment freely about.

My deepest thankyou.

Bob

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:16 | 2048790 a growing concern
a growing concern's picture

I'm easily good for 15 visits a day.  Probably 30 on a day when the shit is really hitting the fan good.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:25 | 2048838 fnord88
fnord88's picture

"but it really depends on whether or not the munchies have set in...then we are easily distracted by shiny objects."

 

Consistently impressed by both the humour and the intelligence of posters here. I used to read the comments section of MSN sites like Fox News and the NYT, reading ZH means I am more informed, with the added bonus of not wanting to kill myself. 

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:51 | 2048950 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

Although we respect your right to assist in depopulation.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 05:44 | 2049512 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

I spend waaay too much time on this site!  Will TPTB just hurry up and hit the reset button so I can go onto doing other things?

Kudos, Tyler!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:53 | 2048590 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

My only disappointment with ZH, is not finding you earlier!

This is the staight dope, internet crack - cant get enough!

How old is ZH in CNBS years?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:12 | 2048764 Cheesy Bastard
Cheesy Bastard's picture

Internet crack, wasn't that your first avatar?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:27 | 2048845 hedgeless_horseman
hedgeless_horseman's picture

 

 

As long as I live, I will never forget Pladizow's first avatar on Zerohedge.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:40 | 2048907 Tsunami Wave
Tsunami Wave's picture

Bring back the tits please!!!! Or at least show us the link!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:35 | 2049213 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

They are not talking about that crack. A more basic crack I think than even the bosom.

Why are planet love match ads popping up?

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:48 | 2049253 fuu
fuu's picture

Hope?

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:51 | 2049263 blu
blu's picture

And as you correctly noted at the time there is nothing particularly wrong with the female --er -- nether parts.

The Planet Love ads are cracking me up. What do they think, ZH is a hangout for lonely dweebs?

I mean, I'm in a coffee shop writing code tonight so why would I ... oh wait ... never mind.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:41 | 2048911 Cheesy Bastard
Cheesy Bastard's picture

Very memorable.  I would ask you to post it for old times sake, but it's not zerohedge.xxx

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:26 | 2049203 Alienated Serf
Alienated Serf's picture

i don't know man.  without the towering intellect of velobabe, something has been missing.... 

i also miss crabcakes anger, that was good stuff.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:36 | 2049221 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

I miss many of the old timers. 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:47 | 2049250 The Navigator
The Navigator's picture

+1

I kinda miss Hammy/Harvey Wanger and Johnny what's his name - they took a lot shit and they mostly deserved it - but they were a hoot.

Big Congrats Tyler - what a great show!

Semper Peratus, The Navigator

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 06:51 | 2049564 akak
akak's picture

Ah, yes, HarryWanger, aka James Kostorhyz, that dishonest, disingenuous bastard who played on the righteous anger of so many here to gather anti-Establishment opinions and responses as part of his cynical, hateful "study of the psychology of utopian permabears".

And then, of course, there was the SHRIEKINGLY gold-hating troll JohnnyBravo (aka MasterBater in his earlier incarnation), who swarmed every thread that even touched on gold like flies on shit.  Another truly malevolent evildoer, for sure.

Good times.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:56 | 2049718 Absinthe Minded
Absinthe Minded's picture

What about the self righteous Texas Gunslinger, he had some great go arounds.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 02:22 | 2049261 Bananamerican
Bananamerican's picture

It's the way of the blogging world...

From the primordial soup, a homogeneous universe usually emerges... entropy often follows. I carry a deep vein of skepticism about the human race in me but even so, 3 years of cliff-hanging can leave you drained.

But where else to go?

Damn few places, that's where.

Happy B-day ZH.

Thanks for not banning me ;)

..and Denninger? Thanks for banning me...thrice (lol)

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 02:20 | 2049321 Miles Kendig
Miles Kendig's picture

Same here Mscreant.  Demand those answers and keep your ever ready blade sharp.

Oh ya, At least no one has trade marked ZHarmony .. yet

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:47 | 2048647 infinity8
infinity8's picture

People with no sense of humor are really creepy.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:51 | 2048946 tekhneek
tekhneek's picture

What the fuck is that supposed to mean? /sarc off

But seriously, happy birthday ZH. I'm thoroughly addicted. Fight club, bitchez.

Also, let's do whatever we can to stop SOPA and take that crap viral. I prefer my ZH legally.

http://americancensorship.org/

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:57 | 2048973 infinity8
infinity8's picture

Amen. I've had my episodes of paranoia that the black helicopters will be hovering when I log on.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:38 | 2049092 DeadFred
DeadFred's picture

When some of the testier commentors disappear then reappear acting like RoboTrader you'll know it's time to head for the hills. Hope and pray they don't take you first. (sarcasm I think)

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:52 | 2048669 Zero_Sum
Zero_Sum's picture

Happy birthday, ZH. Only about two more years until your doors are kicked in by Seal Team Six and you're dragged to Guantanamo for indefinite detention as substantial supporter of terrorism under the auspice of NDAA. But let the good times roll until then!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:55 | 2048687 Conrad Murray
Conrad Murray's picture

Under the National Operations Center (NOC)’s Media Monitoring Initiative that came out of DHS headquarters in November, Washington has the written permission to retain data on users of social media and online networking platforms.

Specifically, the DHS announced the NCO and its Office of Operations Coordination and Planning (OPS) can collect personal information from news anchors, journalists, reporters or anyone who may use “traditional and/or social media in real time to keep their audience situationally aware and informed.”

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:25 | 2048834 Robot Traders Mom
Robot Traders Mom's picture

That's cool, I hope I can shoot the shit with Tyler someday.

 

Hopefully we'll be in the same FEMA camp.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:56 | 2048966 seek
seek's picture

I hope I can shoot the shit with Tyler someday, too, while liberating a FEMA camp.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:01 | 2048982 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

I just had a crazy good idea. ZeroHedgeicon 2012.

My booth will have cigars, leather couches, and eye candy wIth names like "Bambi and Ginger" and Ron Paul will be there too just hangin out...

Oh wait...I Went to the international cigar exposition in 1998 in Vegas and there were 2 chicks in blue head to toe body suits...I'll hire them to taunt MDB at his booth.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:23 | 2049042 Zero_Sum
Zero_Sum's picture

I'm so there. I'll have to tell my wife it's a hunting trip with the guys. So sad when you need a kitchen pass to go play revolution with your friends...

 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:01 | 2048984 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

I just had a crazy good idea. ZeroHedgeicon 2012.

My booth will have cigars, leather couches, and eye candy wIth names like "Bambi and Ginger" and Ron Paul will be there too just hangin out...

Oh wait...I Went to the international cigar exposition in 1998 in Vegas and there were 2 chicks in blue head to toe body suits...I'll hire them to taunt MDB at his booth.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:30 | 2049604 SaMsKy
SaMsKy's picture

You are dozy enough.. Try breathing some fresh air for once.. The only thing you should fear is this war that seems to be coming

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:57 | 2049141 juangrande
juangrande's picture

As my friends in Baja California would sing ( to the tune of happy b-day to you) " Sapo verde eres tu... Sapo verde eres tu..."

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:44 | 2048629 old naughty
old naughty's picture

Conrad,
What is the significance of Apr 15 2012?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:46 | 2048641 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

Last tax day in history?

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:43 | 2048920 JohnG
JohnG's picture

I should think we would all be dead before that happens.  Unless we expat right the fuck now!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 10:47 | 2049995 Paralympic Equity
Paralympic Equity's picture

Why the 15th of April for the dooms day? :)

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:43 | 2048618 Bunker Boy
Bunker Boy's picture

Thanks, Tyler & Crew, for all you do. This is my sole source for financial information beyond the stock-ticker; the parallel universe of the perpetual "red pill".

I've told lots of folks this site is the place to get the real information about the financial markets. Truly a remarkable site meeting a tremendous need.

Thank you.

Zero Hedge is the financial "Drudge Report", with page visits increasing accordingly. Watch.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:57 | 2048695 NumNutt
NumNutt's picture

Yep I signed up shortly after the site was started, haven't missed a day since. It is the first and last thing I read almost every day. Thanks ZH for helping me to cling to sanity for another day! Oh and screw the MSM and TPTB that hate sites like this.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:24 | 2048827 infinity8
infinity8's picture

Of the folks you've told about ZH, how many are now in the "club"? I've tried to spread the word for a while (1 yr +) - not just to anyone, but people (only a tragic few) that I feel would actually read & understand the information presented here. I've made a couple readers but, after great resistance. Why is that? It's scary that even very smart people just don't want to look the world situation in the face.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:55 | 2048962 Bunker Boy
Bunker Boy's picture

Infinity:

Interesting that you and I followed similar approaches. I have been selective of who I tell about the site based on an assessment of whether those people were open to reality. All of my family and the majority of my friends were not candidates. Guesstimate: two people I have told are regular readers, the others were already  assembled into the Borg collective. Your last sentence is right on the money: people are scared and they deliberately choose the temporary sedative of delusion rather than face facts and all the consequences it entails.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:04 | 2048997 infinity8
infinity8's picture

Brother, if I could have back the breath I've wasted! I can only vouch for 2 ZH converts. Like pulling teeth, should have been a dentist. But, every little bit counts so, stay strong.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:05 | 2048998 tekhneek
tekhneek's picture

The majority of people you talk to are probably unfamiliar with finance/economics/what fiat currency truly is/the Fed and the list goes on. This is what I've experienced first hand talking to people about ZH and this ... cluster fuck of a situation the global financial system is in.

They don't understand it so they feel they can't because they never have, so they don't. This is true of a lot of people you meet with tremendous normalcy bias' towards nearly everything in their lives.

Converting just 1 IS worth it though. I've told a few of my family members and close friends to read it and a few have actually become avid readers and even call me about articles/tweets by Tyler and begin asking me questions about what's going on. I have at least 3 people that I talk to almost weekly about wtf's going on and what's happening.

...and then you have people like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

And this: http://www.commodityzen.com/2011/09/gold/gold-isnt-backed-by-anything/

Sooo... Happy birthday ZH.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:27 | 2049067 infinity8
infinity8's picture

I completely agree. I will say that the majority of people I've tried to talk to are successful business owners (even now). And they just don't want to hear it. The only converts I know of are a high-school math teacher (60yr old, retiring after this year) and a very versatile business owner. You can only do what you can do.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:00 | 2048979 IQ 101
IQ 101's picture

Drudge has gone to the dark side, they / promote Romney at the expence of Ron Paul with B.S. MSM "Poll's" at every opportunity.

Drudge is done, Drudge is THEM now, Drudge got bought, just like Limburger, banker ho's.!

Drudge is munching Pelosi muff, Rothschild rot. Drudge is done.

Drudge is NBC with a woodie, 2 martinis and a Vicodin.

Edge lost.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:43 | 2049626 Taint Boil
Taint Boil's picture

Yes, I agree, to compare Zero Hedge to Drudge is an insult. Drudge is MSM with very close ties to the usual. Zero Hedge is the first place I go for everything - well except recipes.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 20:26 | 2052399 PhysicalRealm
PhysicalRealm's picture

You're right, except Drudge has _always_ been 'them'.  Remember, he got his start exposing Clinton's Monica Lewinsky problem.

 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:09 | 2049012 ultimate warrior
ultimate warrior's picture

Zero Hedge Is like crack.  Once you have tasted it you then want it everyday.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 03:35 | 2049421 vato poco
vato poco's picture

I've had friends & family ask me about ZH, usually questions along the lines of "WTF? That stuff is, like, *boring*, dude." I try & explain that ZH is the single most important site on the whole wide internet - the only one that cuts through the bullshit with chainsaws - and none of the horsehit (excluding certain commenters, but that's fine: everybody's got an opinion), none of the silly jive usually seen on Alex Jones and the 'bury yourself in a hole for 30 years' crowd.

On top of that, I've learned more about money/finance/manipulated markets/dipshit central planing/and how to try & get through the coming SHTF here than **all other sites combined**. Y'all have made me smarter, and made me money - and just as important, kept me from *losing* money on positions that seemed to make perfect sense and were the pinnacle of classical investing and logic. (None of which applies anymore, ZH has taught me.) My deepest and sincerest thanks, to the commenters too, and long may The Tylers reign & rain down boiling oil on the scum running Washington & Wall St. God Bless.

But I *do* miss the old timelsss classic comment: "Too long, didn't read." Whatever happened to those guys?

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 05:05 | 2049493 Lets Hang Parliament
Lets Hang Parliament's picture

When the student is ready the teacher will arrive - not the other way around - remembering that will save a lot of unnecessary proselytising grief. Just tell 'em ZH is here and aint going away anytime soon so they can like it or lump it.

Tyler a very happy birthday to you and all the little "Durdens"

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 06:56 | 2049573 akak
akak's picture

I try & explain that ZH is the single most important site on the whole wide internet - the only one that cuts through the bullshit with chainsaws -

Man, that is classic!

That needs to be on a ZH t-shirt!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:30 | 2048524 lolaus
lolaus's picture

Well said mate.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:30 | 2048526 slaughterer
slaughterer's picture

Happy anniversary.  Here is to another 3 years.  

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:38 | 2048582 Deo vindice
Deo vindice's picture

Congrats! 3 yrs in internet terms is a credit to content and relevance to your readers.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:42 | 2048614 Socrate
Socrate's picture

Joyeux anniversaire, Zero Hedge !

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:03 | 2048727 Eireann go Brach
Eireann go Brach's picture

ZH..the best invention since sliced bread! Keep up the great work laddies and lassies!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:15 | 2048785 surfersd
surfersd's picture

Tyler, thank you very much for the service you have provided. As a Wall Streeter from 1980 (escaped in 2001) what you have put together is remarkable. I mentioned to a friend of mine yesterday and told him if it wasn't for your site, so much of what is happening would  continue to be in the dark. Hope you are happy wherever you are. surfersd member zero hedge 2 years 20 weeks.

Oh by the way ........ Silver Bitchez!!!!!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:36 | 2048884 Chicago bear
Chicago bear's picture

Hear hear!
If my wife only knew the hours I've dedicated to the teachings on this site.
Thank you ZH and all the commenters.
I used to learn from others and now know better and learn from ZH.
CHEERS!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:06 | 2049003 Colombian Gringo
Colombian Gringo's picture

Well Done ZH!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:21 | 2049052 Two Towers AU AG
Two Towers AU AG's picture

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.. WHERE'S THE PARTY AT..

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:29 | 2049072 mkkby
mkkby's picture

Thanks ZH.  Now all you get out there and click on a few ads.  Each and every effing day.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:37 | 2049688 Fukushima Sam
Fukushima Sam's picture

Or if you use AdBlock then click on the "Donate" button.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:52 | 2049128 Terra-Firma
Terra-Firma's picture

Best reality show in town at www.zerohedge.com

An inspiration for those seeking truth and have the courage and wisdom to laugh at the TPTB.

Tyler, you are reinventing jounalism and leaving MSM in your wake.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 02:42 | 2049362 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Happy Birthday ZH! 

I hope you make it to age 4 but I think you may end up in the FEMA camp with the rest of us.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 08:38 | 2049690 mikhail kalashnikov
mikhail kalashnikov's picture

in Soviet Union, birthday has YOU!

keep stacking, comrades.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 03:20 | 2049405 TraderTimm
TraderTimm's picture

Damn right, Conrad.

The future may well only belong to those who can scrawl a Theta symbol on to an armband so they don't get mowed down by a well-prepared citizen dug in and ready to outlast the uninformed hordes.

ZH, thanks for making me feel I'm not insane. When the main stream media (MSM) says unemployment is 'better', I can laugh and laugh. When they say the recession is 'over', I can just utter an obscene phrase of disagreement. When people think the Euro will 'make it', I can only point to the well-informed posts at this site as proof otherwise.

Thanks for being the lighthouse in the batshit-crazy fog that permeates the financial reporting coastline.

 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 12:58 | 2050588 Kayman
Kayman's picture

TraderTimm

ZH, thanks for making me feel I'm not insane.

I second that.  I sometimes tell people I curse the day I learned to read.

But in the crude criminality of high finance and central banking, ZH is the only touchstone of sanity available.

I am too busy to spend much time on ZH these days; deleveraging as fast as I can. I just finished cutting up one plant to send to the melting pots in China and we start on the last plant next week.

I hope skimming and churning paper debt can keep America alive, but I am not betting on it.

Ipad; the modern day Slinky.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:09 | 2049583 virgule
virgule's picture

Unexpected closing line, but since it comes from the webmaster, then "happy Birthday to the ZH crew".

Thank you for all you've done.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:18 | 2049593 CPL
CPL's picture

happy birthday!!!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:28 | 2049602 Snidley Whipsnae
Snidley Whipsnae's picture

Congrats ZH! A job well done. Thank you for continuing to report what the MSM will not and can not if they want to keep their bobble head jobs.

Keep up the good work.

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 10:47 | 2049994 Future Tense
Future Tense's picture

Happy Birthday Tyler.  I would trade Zero Hedge for all the other financial sites on the web combined.  You are like Tiger Woods vs. the field back in the early 2000's.  The fact that this site is always there for you come rain, shine, weekend, and holiday is its greatest quality.  Not to gush to much, but this site represents everything that is right in the financial world.

http://www.ftense.com/

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:28 | 2048506 MountainHawk
MountainHawk's picture

Happy Birthday....with age and wisdom....comes great depression.... haha!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:38 | 2048588 I Got Worms
I Got Worms's picture

This site has literally changed my life, I shit you not. Much obliged Tyler(s)!!

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:18 | 2048805 a growing concern
a growing concern's picture

Yep.  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:57 | 2049140 GFKjunior
GFKjunior's picture

Love your avatar.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:56 | 2048930 Tsunami Wave
Tsunami Wave's picture

Completely Agree.. I want to thank you Tyler(s) for opening my eyes to the financial world around me.  Not many people know at all what really happens in the financial world, the financial media, etc.  I'll never forget when I clicked on your page nearly 3 years ago.. Thank you for everything, and please keep it all the information and articles coming for years. 

 

Also, thanks for giving good people (even if it's for that brief unadulterated time) like Turd Fergueson and KingWorldNews a shot to give us vital financial knowlege about the metals market.  Thank you all for all the work you do!!

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:00 | 2048975 Pinworm
Pinworm's picture

Stop scratching your ass, my kids are sleeping.

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:51 | 2048507 economics1996
economics1996's picture

Cool.  Please write more on derivatives and the cash value of the derivatives, and the ratios of funny money to real assets.  This is what people need to understand and the source of the money inflation.  If people understand the bogus nature of fiat money and fractional reserve banking, hopefully when it all comes crashing down there will be enough educated citizens to form sound banking practices.

People need to understand how much cash is out there and how it got there so when the SHTF they point their finger at the real culprit. 

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 01:09 | 2049169 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

<---- The Fiat Ponzi crashes first

<---- War with Iran first

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 22:28 | 2048508 westboundnup
westboundnup's picture

On a long enough timeline . . .

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 07:58 | 2049578 akak
akak's picture

We are all tightrope walkers on the thin wire of time, each of us destined to eventually lose our balance at some point.

PS: There is no net.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!