But it was founded on the belief that there is a potential market for vigorous online intellectual stimulation.

ECONOMIST: Lessons of a virtual timetable

Those on the market now are chiefly for comfort and stimulation: for instance, the Snuggling Ifbot, which lives in an astronaut suit, chats about the weather, sings and plays quiz games.

ECONOMIST: The grey market

Bernanke is looking to solve the problem via demand stimulation and inflation expectations, he has the support of most of the Federal Open Market Committee, the market remains expectant.

FORBES