Headlines from October 31, 2008

Study on the still undecideds: derided as idiots, most seem just dubious of politics altogether.
Op: The U.N. is unfixable and in real trouble--hopeful idealists can make a difference, but awareness of shortcomings is more important right now.
Fukyama: Republicans managed a disastrous presidency; Obama has the optimism we desperately need.
Video: Your second batch of McCain's Hollywood attack ads.
See also: Robo-call scripts that didn't make McCain's final cut.
Why white supremacists support Obama.
Why bottled-water supremacists are hastening to improve their image, with more people returning to the tap.
On the power of Obama's crowd, and a crowd's capacity to be disappointed.
Political divides in Amazon's book-buying have always seen a few crossover texts--until now.
Zadie Smith on "two paths for the novel," with case studies for Netherland and Remainder.
Terrific short profile in "A Man Called Freud Can't Keep His Phobia Buried"; see also the always fun Ben Marcus.
Big Apple small businesses brace for impact of bad days to come; Shake Shack doing better than ever.
Instapaper for the weekend: On the irony of poverty.
Gallery of India's beautiful, ingenious fishing contraptions.
Mp3: Newark mayor Cory Booker's "The Unfinished Journey of America's Spirit."
Garfield minus Garfield now in book form--without the cat it's just depression and surrealism, though Jim Davis approves.
Chart: Spike in zombie movie production tied to war and social upheaval.
IMF proves there's such a thing as a free lunch--no-strings-attached loans to ease financial crisis.
The Economist endorses Obama: At home he would salve, if not close, the ugly racial wound left by America's history.
Seed endorses Obama: The need to invest in science and science education [is] a precondition for growth and prosperity in the 21st century.