Book Excerpt: Reset by Kurt Anderson

Author Kurt Andersen’s new book, Reset: How This Crisis Can Restore Our Values and Renew America, examines the economic, political and cultural opportunities to be found in the wake of the financial crises. In this excerpt, the second of five pieces to appear on TIME.com, he examines the corporate ingenuity that often arises in the wake of fiscal disaster. If you want to feel encouraged about our economic near future — not this damned decade but the teens — go talk to some venture capitalists

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HSBC sees pre-tax profits drop by half

Banking group HSBC has seen its pre-tax profits slump by 51 percent for the first six months of 2009, tumbling to $5 billion compared to $10.2 billion for the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, total operating income for the half-year fell six percent to $40.2 billion, from $42.9 billion a year ago.

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Palin steps down as Alaska governor

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin gave her final speech as Alaska’s governor Sunday before stepping down from her post, telling a Fairbanks crowd that she is resigning "to chart a new course to advance the state." “Now people who know me, they know how much I love this state … I feel it is my duty to avoid the unproductive, typical, politics-as-usual, lame-duck session in one’s last year in office,” Palin said, just moments before Lt.

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Bone found in cemetery storage area leads to probe

Authorities will investigate an Illinois cemetery after a bone found on the ground there was determined to be human, a sheriff’s spokesman said Saturday. Supporters displayed signs, including “Palin 2012” and “Palin, you’re as great as Alaska.” The few dissenters in the crowd said they wanted to come down and see what the hoopla was about. Palin and Lt

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