This hot list is based on various social signals of what people are writing about, reading, bookmarking, searching, etc. But, in running it now for the second half of January, the keyword that popped to the top was: Layoffs And this is definitely a sign of the times. When I drill down on that term, you can see why with posts like: Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals Lops A Third Of Company THQ Lays Off 100 Employees, Closes San Diego Office Last month we Launched Los Angeles Tech and in the announcement we provide the Hot List for the first half of January 2009.