Museo Archeologico Virtuale

The interactive Museo Archeologico Virtuale has 70-plus multimedia installations that recreate nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum in their heyday, before Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Check out the link www.museomav.com

The Wall Street Experience

A Wall Street Trader (Andrew Luan) bring its past and present alive via www.thewallstreetexperience.com

Personalised Birthstone Jewelry

Luna & Stella
Personalised birthstone jewelry
www.lunaandstella.com

Flanimals

Ricky Gervais's Flanimals heads for big screen
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/apr/29/ricky-gervais-flanimals

Useful links:
www.flanimals.com
www.rickygervais.com

Ricky Gervais, obviously. Should be an interesting series.

Discovery-driven Growth

Discovery-driven Growth: The Only Plan Is to Learn as You Go
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2227
http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/faculty/macmilli.html

Spot on. Downturns always create a lot of discipline.

Shobana Jeyasingh

A taster of Shobana Jeyasingh's new dance piece, Just Add Water?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/apr/29/shobana-jeyasingh-dance-just-add-water

Useful links:
www.shobanajeyasingh.co.uk
www.roh.org.uk

Heard On The Street

There's two kinds of people in this world, those who pay interest and those who collect interest.

Work Of Art

I Want To Be A Work Of Art
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/one-another

Useful links:
www.oneandother.co.uk
www.antonygormley.com

Simple + great idea, really. Hats off to Antony!

Music vs Art

Music vs art
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8024000/8024205.stm

There is something inherently distressing about dissonant music which people find hard to assimilate; (but)...abstract or minimalist art sometimes makes good decoration.
- David Stubbs

How true!

CIBJO Update

The program for the upcoming 2009 CIBJO Congress is now available on the dedicated Congress web site.

Check out the link http://congress2009.cibjo.org

Zultanite Update

Zultanite
http://www.gemguide.com/news/AGTAMAY2009Zultanite.htm

Useful links:
www.gemguide.com
www.zultanite.com

Interesting review. Colored stone dealers should make note of this unusual gemstone.

Education Building Of The Year

Here is a round-up of the six finalists for the Education Building of the year award via World Architecture News.
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=11481

Useful links:
www.spowers.com.au
www.arup.com
www.murraydunloparchitects.com
www.adrg.com.hk
www.henninglarsen.com
www.anna-heringer.com

Impressive, really.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Stop making excuses and get started
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a2741750-3409-11de-9eea-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

Our greatest glory lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.
- Confucius

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.channel4.com
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk

Spot on. Thank you Luke.

Anish Kapoor's New Art Work

Anish Kapoor's journey into blood, guts and controversy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/apr/29/anish-kapoor-artist-brighton

Useful links:
www.anishkapoor.com
www.brightonfestival.org

A must visit. Should be interesting.

Der Freischütz

Der Freischütz is an opera in three acts by Carl Maria von Weber to a libretto by Friedrich Kind. It is considered the first important German Romantic opera, especially in its national identity and stark emotionality. Its plot was taken from German folk legend and many of its tunes were inspired by German folk music. Its unearthly portrayal of the supernatural is especially poignant in the famous Wolf's Glen scene. Despite its daring innovations (and some scathing attacks by critics) it quickly became an international success, with some fifty performances in the first 18 months after its June 18, 1821 premiere at the Konzerthaus Berlin. Among the many artists influenced by Der Freischütz was a young Richard Wagner, who would come to be seen by many as Weber's successor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Freisch%C3%BCtz

High Note / Viktor and Rolf at the Opera
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/high-note-viktor-and-rolf-at-the-opera/?hpw

Useful links:
www.viktor-rolf.com
www.robertwilson.com
www.festspielhaus.de

Great interview.

Turner Prize 2009

Crystal cave up for Turner Prize
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8022296.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8022602.stm

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize

Random Thoughts

One lesson borne of experience is that the best course in investing is often to do nothing. That’s a hard lesson to apply in practice, given the propensity most of us have for tinkering.

- Edward Studzinski
www.oakmark.com

Spot on.

Renewable Energy Information

Reegle = Renewable Energy and Efficiency Partnership + Renewable Energy Network for the 21st Century. Check out the link www.reegle.info

MotoArt

Fancy an ejection seat? Meet the men turning old planes into art
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/04/07/plane.art.furniture/index.html

Useful link:
www.motoart.com

Motoart = High-end furniture + functional art. Truly amazing!

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2009

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2009
www.nojazzfest.com

Don't miss the great New Orleans jazz, blues, funk, rock, zydeco, gospel and everything between.

The Green House

The Green House of the Future
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124050414436548553.html

Useful links:
www.cookplusfox.com
www.mcdonoughpartners.com
www.rios.com
www.mouzon.com

Spot on. The smaller thing you can create, the more sustainable it is.

Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian Opal
http://www.modernjeweler.com/print/Modern-Jeweler/Ethiopian-Opal/1$931

Useful link:
www.jendayicollection.com

Great review. Thank you Dave.

Entrepreneurship Update

Entrepreneurship
http://www.economist.com/business/management/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13565718&source=hptextfeature

The selling of the Post-It note (see article) by Spence Silver, an employee of 3M, is one of the classic and most quoted examples of intrapreneurship. 3M has been particularly successful at encouraging intrapreneurs. It maintains that the first thing you have to do is to create a corporate culture which permits ideas to blossom. 'You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince,' the company told The Economist. 'But remember, one prince can pay for a lot of frogs.'

Spot on. The main constraint on entrepreneurs today is a shortage of finance, not of ideas.

Orientalism

Emirates art lovers welcome Orientalism
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8020421.stm
http://www.britishcouncil.org/uk/arts-lure-of-the-east.htm

Useful link:
www.sharjahmuseums.ae

Building Businesses In Turbulent Times

Building Businesses in Turbulent Times
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6159.html

The rallying cry for turbulent times is, 'Let's not just survive—let's thrive.' Thank you Lynda.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough won his eighth Bafta award, the Specialist Factual award for Life In Cold Blood, his study of the evolution of amphibians and reptiles screened on BBC Two last year. Check out the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/lifeincoldblood

Useful links:
www.bafta.org
www.davidattenborough.co.uk

Hats off to David. I am a huge fan. He is one of our heroes of our time.

Global Business BBC

The Edge of Europe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/04/090422_peter_day_comment_apr_21.shtml

Useful links:
http://markleonard.net
www.ecfr.eu

Peter Day's comments were interesting.

DSi

Nintendo's Portable Console Adds Services
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2009/gb2009049_950720.htm?chan=innovation_game+room_top+stories

Useful links:
www.nintendo.com
www.miyamotoshrine.com
www.enterbrain.co.jp

Great review.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / In the Air
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/24/fashion/20090426-street-feature/index.html#

Definitely a serious fashion statement. Thank you Bill.

Biofeuls Initiative

10 Biofuels Companies You Need to Know About
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/francine-hardaway/world-startups-outside-silicon-valley/ten-companies-you-need-know-about

Useful links:
www.americanbiofuelscouncil.com
www.desertbiofuels.org
www.amerecobiofuels.com
www.nacet.org
www.xldairygroup.com
www.energyderived.com
www.diversified-energy.com
www.petrosun.com
www.desertsweetbiofuels.com
www.verdebiotrailers.com

Great review.

J.G. Ballard

The cosmic clock with Ballard at its core
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/27/tacita-dean-jg-ballard-art

Useful links:
www.ballardian.com
www.robertsmithson.com

Heard On The Street

It is important to have a good base of operations in whatever you do. Always prepare in advance.

A Rare Blue Diamond

Rare blue diamond goes on display
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8019249.stm

Useful links:
www.petradiamonds.com
www.sothebys.com

Rare indeed. I wish the person who buys it all the best of luck.

Prada Transformer

Art Transplant / Prada on the Move
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/art-transplant-prada-on-the-move/?hpw

Useful links:
www.prada-transformer.com
www.oma.nl

Brilliant! I liked it.

Art Market Update

Tubular belles
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13562828

Useful links:
www.tamara-de-lempicka.org
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

SCVNGR

SCVNGR's games are used for a range of team-building, orientation and enhanced interactivity. Check out the link www.scvngr.com

Richard Goldman

Saluting the unsung local heroes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8004152.stm

Useful links:
www.goldmanprize.org
www.goldmanfund.org

Hats off to Richard!

Gem Learning 2009

The Future of Learning
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullMazalUbracha.asp?id=32165

Useful links:
www.americangemsociety.org
www.diamondcouncil.org
www.gia.edu
www.igiworldwide.com
www.jewelers.org
www.jewelersmutual.com

I think hands-on + see-it-yourself methodologies work best in gemology.

Dan & Chip Heath Viewpoint

Three Secrets to Make a Message Go Viral
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/135/made-to-stick-getting-your-ideas-to-fly.html

Useful links:
www.madetostick.com
www.fastcompany.com/madetostick

The rules do in fact work.

Monastic Hotels

Monasteries: The latest Boutique Hotels
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/quarters-quarters-holy-bookings

Useful links:
www.abbaye-dela-bussiere.com
www.certosadimaggiano.com
www.theaugustine.com
www.monasterio.orient-express.com

You should give it a try. They are inspiring places to stay.

Mike Tyson

Violence Embodied in a Boxer’s Rise and Fall
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/movies/24tyso.html?8dpc

Useful links:
www.tysonmovie.co.uk
www.revolvergroup.com

Toback’s film offers a rare/interesting study in the complexity of Mike Tyson, the man in the mirror + it's worth seeing.

The Geomagnetic Apocalypse

The Geomagnetic Apocalypse — And How to Stop It
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/04/2012storms.html

Useful link:
www.metatechcorp.com

Chilling report, really. What's plan B?

Datanomic

De Beers Group has selected Datanomic’s award winning dn:Director Sanctions & PEP (Politically Exposed People) Screening software for systematic Sanctions screening of its supply chain to help the group take proactive steps to maintain the integrity of diamonds.

Check out the link www.datanomic.com

A Portrait By Picasso

Picasso child work up for auction
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8014218.stm

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.picasso.fr

Roxy Paine

Even High Atop a Roof It Reaches for the Sky
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/arts/design/24roof.html?_r=1&hp

Useful links:
www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine
www.metmuseum.org

Visually fantastic, really.

Margaret Olley

Margaret Olley
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124045863685446891.html

Useful link:
www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/margaretolley
www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
http://nga.gov.au

Margaret Olley is a living treasure. Do what you love. Money will follow.

The Webber Rules

The Webber Rules: 52 Truths for Winning at Business
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/linda-tischler/design-times/webber-rules-52-truths-winning-business

Useful link:
www.rulesofthumbbook.com

OODA principle = Observe, Orient, Decide + Act. Thank you Alan. You were spot on.

LetterMatics

Going Postal
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/lettermatics-for-jewelers.cfm

Useful link:
www.lettermatics.com

Brilliant idea, really.

Innovation

How to innovate in turbulent times
http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/04/23/how-to-innovate-in-turbulent-times

Useful link:
www.frogdesign.com

The best advice: listen to your own people. Sometimes the best ideas are right in front of you — and maybe priceless. Thank you Doreen.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

No Money for Nothing
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.dtc.com

Spot on.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Independents will always have their day
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b64a5aee-2e84-11de-b7d3-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk
www.channel4.com

Spot on. Thank you Luke.

Earth

Earth, a Disney movie about animals and their dramatic journeys, hits theaters (April 22, 2009) on Earth Day.

Check out the link http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth

Useful links:
www.earthday.net
www.earthday.gov

Storytellers

The Tale of a Yarn-Spinner
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124043978013345219.html

...... the Moth is a completely original phenomenon: It's the only organization dedicated to real raconteuring, which is a great art but a totally neglected one. It's never been properly celebrated. You can't compare it to monologuists such as the late Spalding Grey because those are very formal, memorized occasions. It's not stand-up comedy because you're telling true stories at the Moth, often very funny ones, with a lot of elaboration of course -- we expect that. It's not the Arabian Nights because those are fossilized folk tales. We're talking about what I call 'kitchen tales': There has to be a feeling of spontaneity, of seeing the process happen, as if friends are talking, with a really intimate bond between audience and narrator. That's the reason, for example, why we usually don't do the Moth in big theaters.
- George Dawes Green

Useful link:
www.themoth.org

Spot on. As a Moth storyteller, all your flaws and fakeries, awkwardness or slickness, are instantly visible on stage. Great idea. I liked it.

Wabi Sabi

An Ancient Japanese Aesthetic, Revived in Milan
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/ancient-japanese-aesthetic-revived-milan

Useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
www.tjep.com
www.freshwest.co.uk
www.gittagschwendtner.com
www.nachocarbonell.com
www.petermarigold.com

Wabi Sabi = Impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete. I am a huge fan of asymmetric designs.

Heard On The Street

If you miss one deal there is usually another around the corner somewhere.

Fraenkel Gallery

In Focus ‘Edward Hopper & Company’
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/in-focus-edward-hopper-company/?hpw

Useful link:
www.fraenkelgallery.com

A must visit.

Dream Sculpture

Mine 'Dream' art project unveiled
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/8009000.stm

Useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaume_Plensa
www.artscouncil.org.uk
www.artfund.org

A unique + truly global piece of art.

Understanding The Burma Embargo

Understanding the Burma Embargo
http://www.gemguide.com/news/AGTAAPR2009Jadeite.htm

Useful links:
www.gemguide.com
www.jvclegal.org

Great review.

Neurotypicals

Genius locus
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13489714

Useful link:
http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/site/2009/talent-autism.xhtml

Educational/insightful, really.

Kazanjian Red Diamond On Display At The Natural History Museum

Kazanjian Red Diamond Returns to the LA Natural History Museum
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=26001

Useful links:
www.kazanjianbros.com
www.nhm.org

Roger Ebert's Film Festival

Ebertfest: Roger Ebert's Very Own Film Festival
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1892939,00.html

Useful link:
http://ebertfest.com

World Innovation Forum 2009

World Innovation Forum 2009
May 5-6, 2009 / Nokia Theatre, New York
http://us.hsmglobal.com/contenidos/wifhome.html

Random Thoughts

If you stop learning, the world rushes right by you. It's very hard to do this by merely hearing someone else talk. That's why most teaching is vivid. For example, when they trained soldiers for World War II, they shot real bullets above them, which really taught them to hug the ground.

- Charlie Munger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Munger

Spot on.

Green Architecture

Taking a stand
http://www.livemint.com/2009/04/21204804/Taking-a-stand.html?h=C

Useful links:
www.inspire-india.com
www.bamboocompetition.com
www.bambootech.org

Inspiration = Strength + functionality + aesthetics + cost. It's really amazing what can be done with bamboo.

Frank Gehry's Newest Chair

A Building? A Plane? Nope. It's Frank Gehry's Newest Chair
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/building-plane-nope-its-frank-gehrys-newest-chair

Useful links:
www.foga.com
www.cosmit.it

Stunningly beautiful. A technical marvel. I liked it.

BP Portrait Award 2009

In pictures: BP Portrait Award shortlist
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8008800.stm

Useful link:
www.npg.org.uk

Energy Efficiency Center

UC Davis's Energy Efficiency Center Makes Conservation Sexy
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/135/the-green-lantern.html

Useful links:
http://eec.ucdavis.edu
http://andrewhargadon.com

A great business model.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

A sense of dread ails the opinion-makers
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de92a25a-2906-11de-bc5e-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk

Spot on. There will always be new opportunities, whatever our temporary difficulties. Thanks Luke.

China Entrepreneur

China Entrepreneur: Voices of Experience from 40 Business Pioneers by Juan Antonio Fernandez + Laurie Underwood is a brilliant book on China's remarkable transformation + I think it's an excellent operational handbook for the newcomer to China. A must read.

Useful link:

www.ceibs.edu

Tanzanite Update

True Blues: Chris Smith’s Amazing Adventures with Tanzanite
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/tanzanite-blues.cfm

Useful links:
www.aglgemlab.com
www.agta-gtc.org
www.tanzanitefoundation.com
www.tanzaniteone.com

Interesting development. I don't know if the trade and consumers are willing to pay a premium for natural-color, as opposed to heated tanzanite—similar to that for sapphire. We will know more as events unfold in the coming months.

Beautiful Designs

The Decorative and Beyond
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124026971684436835.html

Useful link:
www.imamuseum.org

A must visit.

Randall Munroe

When Pixels Find New Life on Real Paper
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/business/media/20link.html

Useful links:
http://xkcd.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xkcd

I loved it.

Che's Afterlife

Che's Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image by Michael Casey is a fascinating book on the famous 1960 picture of the guerrilla leader taken by the Cuban photographer Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez, known as Korda. A must read.

Maria Thun's Theory On Wine

Can lunar cycles affect the taste of wine?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8008167.stm
http://www.biodynamics.com/node/346

Useful links:
www.wineanorak.com
www.thewineryuk.com
www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk
www.vinopolis.co.uk

Interesting story.

Illegal Diamond Diggers Of Zimbabwe

Illegal diamond diggers 'hunted down'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8009375.stm

Shocking/sad, really.

Random Thoughts

The greatest evil is not done in those sordid dens of evil Dickens loved to paint but ..... in clear, carpeted, warmed, well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.

- C. S. Lewis

How true!

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / A Throwback
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/18/fashion/20090418-street-feature/index.html#

Beautiful, really. Thank you Bill.

Ramakrishna Karuturi

Coming Up Roses
http://www.forbes.com/global/2009/0427/018-business-karuturi-global-coming-up-roses.html

Useful links:
www.karuturi.com
www.floraholland.com

Inspiring story.

The Curious Case Of A Graphic Novel

'Watchmen': The Curious Case Of A Graphic Novel
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/watchmen-graphic-novel

I’m called the father of the modern graphic novel. If that’s true, I want a blood test ... 'Graphic novel' sounds more respectable, but I prefer "comics" because it credits the medium. ['Comics'] is a dumb word, but that’s what they are.
- Art Spiegelman

Useful links:
www.alanmoorefansite.com
http://rss.warnerbros.com/watchmen
www.davegibbonsfansite.com

Susan Boyle

Unlikely Singer Is YouTube Sensation
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/arts/television/18boyle.html?_r=1&em
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8005767.stm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Useful link:
http://talent.itv.com

It was a joy watching her performance, really.

Isee2 Diamonds

Isee2 Diamonds Introduces Next Gen Of Brick-to-Click Retailing
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=26024

Useful link:
www.isee2.com

A new way of selling diamonds, really.

Phar Kant

Green Vs green: Jade Industry threatens environment
http://www.mizzima.com/edop/photo-essay/1801-green-vs-green-jade-industry-threatens-environment.html

Once one of the greenest regions has become a plain field with a man made landscape.

21c Museum Hotel

Louisville's Art of Hospitality
http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1891628,00.html

Useful link:
www.21cmuseumhotel.com

A must visit.

Art Market Update

Carving reputations
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13519379

Useful links:
www.rcgrossfoundation.org
www.sothebys.com

Interesting story.

David Zimmerman

Desert shots awarded photo prize
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8002799.stm

Useful links:
www.worldphotographyawards.org
www.davidzimmerman.com

GigaPan Epic

Creating a panoramic experience
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8004657.stm
http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=15374&window_height=691&window_width=1131

Useful links:
www.gigapan.org
www.gigapansystems.com

Cindy Sherman

In pictures: Cindy Sherman
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8002306.stm

Useful link:
www.cindysherman.com

Momix

The Green Mind
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/index.html

Useful link:
www.mosespendleton.com

Stunningly beautiful form of art. I liked it.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Greatest Show
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/10/fashion/20090412-street-feature/index.html

Beautiful colors, really. Thank you Bill.

Luxist Report

Luxist Report: Diamond cartel tries to pull an OPEC
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/04/14/the-diamond-cartel-tries-to-pull-an-opec

Diamond prices need to be as natural and transparent as the diamonds themselves. De Beers, Russia and Angola might think they are doing the diamond industry a favor by halting production and stockpiling diamonds, but, in fact, they might be laying the seeds of destruction.
- Martin Rapaport

Useful links:
www.diamonds.net
www.debeersgroup.com

Interesting perspective on diamond pricing.

Cubic Zirconia Phenomenon

'Rock' Bottom
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04122009/news/regionalnews/rock_bottom_164082.htm

People are looking for inventive ways to cut costs. I think cubic zirconia is the best imitation gem around.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

CEN Workshop Revisited, 'Not An Official Standard'
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.cenorm.be
www.cibjo.org

Kind Of Blue

Kind of Blue: Pushing Boundaries with Miles Davis
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6096.html

Useful links:
www.jazzcode.org
www.milesdavis.com

Radical simplicity. How true!

The Business Of Climate Change

The Business of Climate Change: A Call for Innovation
http://knowledge.wpcarey.asu.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1767

In periods of great flux and uncertainty, the people who love (change) are going to find opportunities.
- Andrew J. Hoffman

Useful link:
www.sustainableenterprise.org

Brilliant insight.

The Psychology Behind The Financial Crisis

Hope, Greed and Fear: The Psychology behind the Financial Crisis
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2204

Bubbles occur when people are willing to buy something simply because they believe they can sell it for a higher price. (Bubbles) often have an aspect of mania.
- Richard Herring

It's a perennial human problem, to delay gratification. We all struggle, from little children to the oldest and wisest, with the problem of self-control.
- Angela Lee Duckworth

Useful links:
www.philanalysis.org
http://annenberg.usc.edu

Spot on.

New Start-Up Boom

The New Internet Start-Up Boom: Get Rich Slow
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1890387,00.html

Useful links:
http://motormouths.com
www.37signals.com
www.rentacoder.com
www.elance.com
http://ycombinator.com

Ideas are much easier to hatch than they are to execute, but I liked a little in, a lot out business model.

Peter Zumthor

Swiss Minimalist Peter Zumthor Wins Architecture Prize
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1890858,00.html

Useful link:
www.pritzkerprize.com

David de Rothschild

Eco-warrior sets sail to save oceans from 'plastic death'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/12/david-de-rothschild-plastiki-pacific

Useful links:
www.adventureecology.com
http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/plastiki
www.exploration-architecture.com/section.php?xSec=37
www.charlesmoore.org

Brilliant project. What about the plastic soups that has been created in Asia, especially in India and China + other regions? Alarming, really.

Designing Today For Tomorrow

Designing Through a Depression
http://arieff.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/designing-through-a-depression

Useful links:
http://arieff.blogs.nytimes.com
www.squid-labs.com
www.vu1.com
www.architectureforhumanity.org
www.planetreuse.com

Great essay.

John Wood Viewpoint

Guest Post: Andrew Carnegie, version 2.0
http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/04/09/guest-post-andrew-carnegie-version-20

Useful links:
www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com
www.roomtoread.org

An incredibly inspiring story. Pay it forward.

Ranbir Kaleka

No solace in the imagined
http://www.livemint.com/2009/04/09203631/No-solace-in-the-imagined.html?h=A3

Useful link:
www.rkaleka.com

Insightful/immersive. I liked it.

Pearls + Beads

Pearls and Beads Make the Rounds for Fall
http://www.style.com/stylefile/2009/04/pearls-and-beads-make-the-rounds-for-fall
http://www.style.com/stylefile/2009/04/pearls-and-beads-make-the-rounds-for-fall/slideshow

Useful links:
www.karllagerfeld.com
www.chanel.com
www.givenchy.com
www.louisvuitton.com

Amazing trends.

Rocks And Minerals

Rocks and minerals – up close and personal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/apr/08/geology?picture=345700272

Useful link:
www.earth.uk.net

Stunningly beautiful, really.

Vince Gulino Viewpoint

The Sunshine Strategy
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/vince-gulino-sunshine-strategy.cfm

If the sight of a drusy quartz or Royal Sahara jasper can't take your mind of your troubles or free you from your worries, nothing can. I just assume that every gem in my store is an anti-depressant.
- Vince Gulino, Jeweler

Gulino's jewelry store basics makes sense. Jewerly is associated with good times and happiness.

Codemasters

Inside Games: Codemasters
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7982424.stm

Useful links:
www.codemasters.com
www.valvesoftware.com
www.bafta.org

Great review.

Green Ideas

Prize for 'Sun in the box' cooker
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7991654.stm

Useful links:
www.forumforthefuture.org
http://kyoto-energy.com
www.solarcookers.org

Brilliant, scalable, sustainable innovation, really.

Efficient Power

ExRo Technologies has invented, designed, and prototyped the world's first Variable Input Electric Generator, producing as much as 50 percent more power over time. Check out the link www.exro.com

Seth Godin Project

The Apprentices
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0427/066-marketing-seth-godin-the-apprentices.html

Useful links:
www.sethgodin.com
www.squidoo.com

Godin's alternative MBA program is a brilliant + inspiring project. It provides a unique experience/portal/template to morph into something new.

Genetic Art

DNA 11 Inc = Science + Art
www.dna11.com

You are the artist here. In my view a DNA portrait makes the ultimate personal artistic statement. I liked it.

Heard On The Street

Learning to read people is a fun exercise. It develops critical thinking skills.

Jacqueline Novogratz

Jacqueline Novogratz is founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_11/b4025405.htm?chan=search

Start with the individuals. Build systems from their perspective. Really pay attention, and then see if they can scale.
- Jacqueline Novogratz

Useful links:
www.acumenfund.org
www.thebluesweater.com

The Lives Of Ants

The Lives of Ants by Laurent Keller + Elisabeth Gordon is an insightful book about organised co-operation + task-sharing skills of ants. A must read.

Useful links:
www.unil.ch/dee/page7717.html
www.antblog.co.uk
www.antweb.org
http://gap.entclub.org

Branded Gemstones

Branded Gemstones
http://www.gemguide.com/news/AGTAMar09NyalaRuby.htm

Useful links:
www.gemguide.com
www.columbiagemhouse.com
www.agta.org

Great review.

Julia Muggenburg

Meet Julia Muggenburg
www.belmacz.com

Jewelry is to the wearer what an exclamation point is to a sentence.
- Julia Muggenburg

An Interesting Chamleon Diamond

Colored Stone's First Mystery Gem
http://colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/mystery-gems.cfm

Useful links:
www.amnh.org
www.hmns.org
www.fieldmuseum.org

I have seen chameleon diamonds, but this one is different, really.

Heard On The Street

In a typical financial/gem market, expect disruptive crowd behavior + the impact. Traders usually overreact by the noise. Each situation is different.

Chinese Art Market Update

As Chinese art market crashes, many artists applaud
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0407/p06s01-wosc.html

Chinese artists were seen as ATMs. Maybe now they'll stop creating for the market and create for the mind.
- Jerome Sans

Useful links:
www.ullens-center.org
www.f2gallery.com
www.798space.com

How true! The crisis was a good thing.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb Viewpoint

Ten principles for a Black Swan-proof world
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5d5aa24e-23a4-11de-996a-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

People who were driving a school bus blindfolded (and crashed it) should never be given a new bus.
- Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Useful link:
www.fooledbyrandomness.com

Spot on.

Ed Stein

Meet Ed Stein
http://edsteinink.com

Ed's cartoons are insightful and hilarious.

Going Green, The German Way

Going Green: Why Germany Has the Inside Track to Lead a New Industrial Revolution
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2201

Useful links:
www.wuerth-solar.de
www.ise.fraunhofer.de
www.zew.de
www.gruene-partei.de

Great review.

Persuasive Games

Persuasive Games: Familiarity, Habituation, and Catchiness
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3977/persuasive_games_familiarity_.php

Useful links:
www.bogost.com
www.persuasivegames.com

Bogost's games help players look at society and current events in a new way, really.

Guernica

Piecing together Guernica
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7986540.stm

Useful links:
www.picasso.fr
http://picasso.tamu.edu/picasso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso

Pablo Picasso's Guernica is an immersive work.

Bodhichitta Winery

Have you ever heard of a winery combining the fine art of wine making + adhering to the core principles of Buddhism? Check out the link http://bodhichittawinery.com

Models Of My Life

Models of My Life by Herbert A. Simon is an insightful book that gives an interesting picture of the inner working of one of the greatest scientists (artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, computer science, economics, political science) of our time. A must read.

Useful link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Simon

American Consumer

Cheers to the American Consumer
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6154.html

Useful link:
http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/quelch

How true!

Web Trends 2009

Information Architects have released the fourth Web trend map for 2009. Check out the link http://informationarchitects.jp

Southwest Windpower

Southwest Windpower
www.windenergy.com

The new low cost wind/solar energy technology is good news. When someone uses technology this way, you benefit as a consumer.

Ronen Kadushin

Meet Ronen Kadushin + explore his creative designs, free-for-all via www.ronen-kadushin.com

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
www.benjaminbutton.com

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button left me utterly speechless. Brad Pitt's performance was superb. He was so believable and realistic throughout. I loved it. A must see movie. A real masterpiece.

Celliers de Meknes

Celliers de Meknes is Morocco's largest winemaker. Check out the link www.lescelliersdemeknes.net

The Doppler Effect

The Doppler effect (or Doppler shift), named after Austrian physicist Christian Doppler who proposed it in 1842, is the change in frequency and wavelength of a wave for an observer moving relative to the source of the waves. It is commonly heard when a vehicle sounding a siren approaches, passes and recedes from an observer. The received frequency is increased (compared to the emitted frequency) during the approach, it is identical at the instant of passing by, and it is decreased during the recession. For waves that propagate in a medium, such as sound waves, the velocity of the observer and of the source are relative to the medium in which the waves are transmitted. The total Doppler effect may therefore result from motion of the source, motion of the observer, or motion of the medium. Each of these effects is analyzed separately. For waves which do not require a medium, such as light or gravity in special relativity, only the relative difference in velocity between the observer and the source needs to be considered.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect

There is an unfortunate optical illusion - a variant on the Doppler effect - that besets all frauds. It's unfortunate, because it has the effect of exacerbating the pecuniary losses that fraud victims endure, by unfairly leaving them, like many rape victims, irrationally ashamed of themselves. The Doppler principle we posit holds that as a victim approaches a swindler, he sees nothing but green lights. But as soon as he realizes that his money is gone, he spins around and beholds, as if by magic, bright red flags as far as the eye can see.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/31/news/newsmakers/parloff_dreier.fortune/index4.htm

Some people are smart but in the end lose everything. It's a state of mind.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street The Birth of Spring
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/03/fashion/20090405-street-feature/index.html#

Brilliant. I loved it. Thank you Bill.

Fareed Zakaria Viewpoint

Free At Last
http://www.newsweek.com/id/192479

Useful links:
www.fareedzakaria.com
www.mcdonough.com

Great essay.

Art Market Update

Pen and ink
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13432496

Useful links:
www.ville-ge.ch/mah
www.frick.org
www.christies.com

Great review.

Plushmusic

Watch live classical, jazz and world performances from some of the world’s most exciting musicians via Plushmusic @ www.plushmusic.tv

Jim Davis Interview

Garfield's Fun Fest: Jim Davis interview
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/5099241/Garfields-Fun-Fest-Jim-Davis-interview.html

Useful link:
www.garfield.com

Jim, keep on drawing.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Rekindle those risk-taking animal spirits
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ef69109e-1e09-11de-830b-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html

As John Maynard Keynes put it: 'The thought of ultimate loss which overtakes pioneers, as experience undoubtedly tells us and them, is put aside as a healthy man puts aside the expectation of death.' Right now, too many would-be pioneers are worrying about dangers and not rewards. Fear has overwhelmed greed: the adventurous are on the retreat. Until we reverse this psychology, we shall never recover our economic momentum.
- Luke Johnson

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk

Spot on.

Rare Blue Diamond

Rare Blue Diamond
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30029818#30029818

There will be buyers for the rare blue diamond in Hong Kong.

The Survival Game

The Survival Game: How Game Theory Explains the Biology of Cooperation and Competition by David P. Barash Ph.D is an insightful book on biological/behavioral sciences. A must read.

Useful link:

http://faculty.washington.edu/dpbarash/index.html

International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2009

The shortlist for the 2009 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (€100,000), the world’s most valuable literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English has been announced. Check out the link www.impacdublinaward.ie

Paola Antonelli Viewpoint

Design and Being Just
http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/of_design_and_being_just
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/paola_antonelli_treats_design_as_art.html

Useful links:
http://seedmagazine.com
www.tca.uwa.edu.au
www.moma.org
www.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au
www.dunneandraby.co.uk

Great essay.

Madness & Modernity

Madness & Modernity:Mental illness and the visual arts in Vienna 1900
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/exhibitions/Madness-and-Modernity/index.htm

Useful link:
www.wellcomecollection.org

Don't miss the multidisciplinary exhibition.

Seascape Project

Meet Susan Collins + explore her Seascape project @ www.susan-collins.net

Shop Without Touching

Want to Save Some Money? Shop Without Touching
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1889081,00.html

When you touch something, you instantly feel more of a connection to it. That connection stirs up an emotional reaction — 'Yeah, I like the feel of it. This can be mine.' And that emotion can cause you to buy something you never would have bought if you hadn't touched it.
- Suzanne Shu

Useful link:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/jcr/current

How true!

The Art Of Camouflage

Audio slideshow: The art of camouflage
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7978844.stm

Useful link:
www.bio.cam.ac.uk

Phenomenal color change, really.

Jewelry Consumer Viewpoints

Jewelry Consumer Viewpoints. Check out the link http://jcoc.info