the buzz log

If there's a bright spot in the economy, it may be this: It has a future. Fortune magazine has come out with its latest hotshot list of 40 under 40 rising stars in business. Searches on the must-list immediately soared.

The list of under-the-age-of-40 superstars is top-heavy with leaders from Internet biggies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. But there are also sports prodigies like Tiger Woods, "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, and media mogul-in-training James Murdoch (mini-me son of Rupert). Jay-Z represents with his many ventures, including Translation Advertising, which helps businesses connect to urban markets.

The list helpfully summarizes why each person was chosen, and also notes education, and marital status.

The blurbs are pretty fascinating. For example, you've probably never heard of Meredith Whitney, but she was the one who noticed that Citigroup had no money — and has made lots of other smart market calls. As anchor of "Street Signs," and pundit for "Meet the Press," Erin Burnett explains Wall Street to finance wizards and laypeople alike. And Cesar Conde, the president of Univision — the country's fifth most popular network — is only 35. (Sorry, ladies, he's engaged.)

You can see the entire list here.