Granted, this is government by fits and starts, hobbled by the whims of voters.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

The year was defined by fits and starts related to Europe's sovereign-debt crisis and global economic growth concerns, prompting investors to flock to defensive and dividend-paying stocks.

WSJ: Dow Gains 5.5% in 2011, as S&P Ends Flat

Still, Facebook's progress in mobile is coming in fits and starts, as underlined by the company's recent Poke mobile app.

WSJ: Even Facebook Must Change

That vastly changed media world will come in fits and starts, incremental steps that in some cases will be made by newcomers like Oxygen.

FORBES: The convergence gamble