Looking at the change in short-interest, and stock returns, from July 29 to August 15, the authors initially found that short interest did increase for most stocks in their sample, and that returns were negative for more than three-quarters of them.

FORBES: In Defense Of Short-Sellers: Bans Cost Investors More Than $1B In 2008

Looking at our sample of borrowers, we see that negative equity is most common in younger age brackets with 39% of borrowers age 20 to 24, 48% of borrowers age 25 to 29, and 51% of borrowers age 30 to 34, underwater on their mortgages.

FORBES: Getting to Know Underwater Homeowners

Human analysis of a sample of posts suggests that about 50% of negative posts also expressed regret at upgrading.

FORBES: Yes, Analysis Shows, Mapplegate Did Hit Apple Sales

Looking across the whole sample also reveals something interesting about the nature of negative equity and delinquency, namely that delinquency is relatively abnormal among underwater borrowers.

FORBES: Getting to Know Underwater Homeowners

The United States was the only country in their sample that had a positive consolidated stimulus, but a negative stimulus at the state and local levels.

FORBES: The Still Shrinking Local Governments