As our world becomes more globally integrated and competitive, economic status now turns on many other things, like intellectual capital and skills training, things which colleges are supposed to instill, but many don't.

CNN: Do we need a revolution in higher education?

Yet if even a tiny proportion of a company goes private, the company's legal status changes and competitive salaries can be offered to its managers.

ECONOMIST: Slow, quick, quick, slow are the dance-steps of reform

Now, five years on, the DeathAdder is used by more professional gamers than any other gaming mouse, a testament to its prowess in securing them legendary status in the history of competitive gaming.

ENGADGET: Razer trots out mildly overhauled DeathAdder Black Edition USB gaming mouse

The former would mean Argo has to overcome 80 years of Oscar history to take Best Picture without even a nomination for Best Director, and the latter means Lincoln has to overcome a softening status amid a race that became highly competitive with strong challengers in the home stretch.

FORBES: Predicting The Oscars - Who Will Take Home The Gold?

Samsung expects to keep its frontrunner status in the global memory semiconductor industry with competitive products and differentiated cost structure.

ENGADGET: Samsung's Q3 2011 overall profit falls despite incredible phone sales

This year, Democrats -- just 11 seats shy of majority party status in the 106th Congress -- are eyeing two more Republican seats: the politically competitive 1st District in the southeast and the Democratic-leaning 2nd, which includes Madison, the state capital.

CNN: By Gregory L. Giroux, CQ Staff Writer