As for cloud/grid, I use grid hosting for this blog. After having hosted the site at Dreamhost and Brinkster and having significant resource issues (PHP running out of memory), I've had zero issues with my grid host.

The point of this "wacky post" is that the true benefit of the Cash for Clunkers won't be known. You mention a $14B impact to the economy. That may happen, but a study from the German government that was released after my post raises the same concerns as I did (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12516728135817079... This may not have stimulated unique demand, and may not lead to sustainable recovery.

Every dollar spent on a new car manufactured in the US (and that's more than 75% of all cars bought under C-for-C according to the US Chamber of Commerce–remember Toyota, Honda and Nissan cars sold in the US are made in the US) returns eight dollars back into the economy through jobs at car companies, jobs at auto mfg suppliers, and the pass through effect in local economies.

By the numbers you cite in this wacky post, the $2.88B cost of C-4-C actually leads to more than $14B in total cash flow through the economy.

If you tax that at 25%, it means we're making about a 40% profit on the investment as taxpayers.

I think one of the most interesting things was how quickly car salesmen reverted back to jerk status once they got a little demand.

What you say about it creating new connections is so true based on my experience, as well.

It's a simple system without major privacy concerns, and the psychological barriers to connecting are so minimal.

(I'm also a fan of Alan's writing and tweeting)