Wireless investor

The December Wireless Investor outlined the "good news" story regarding stock options offered to employees in wireless-related companies. In essence: management can use stock options to motivate and retain valuable employees; and stock options provide employees a lottery ticket that provides a jackpot or a nice consolation prize. During the late 1990s it seemed as though the magic of stock options would know no bounds. During the past year, as Internet and tech stocks have morphed from bubbles into wrecks, the expectation of unlimited wealth creation has faded. The Zeitgeist is now one of hangover, regrets, and reassessment. In keeping with the newly somber mood, the topic for this issue is "bad stuff 'bout stock options".