Pocket Movies

Pocket movies are interesting (intimate/engaging) because mobile phones can go anywhere, the images snatched from real life are rough and ready. They tell a unique story. The results are startling. So what revolution is the mobile phone going to bring? Stylistic innovation! I think it's an interesting tool that allows you to show people what you've got. I believe Paris has played it's role in this new revolutionary style. Other cities are catching up.

Useful links:
www.festivalpocketfilms.fr
www.pocketfilms.jp
www.pocketpicks.co.uk
www.sundance.org

Ballet Précieux

Van Cleef & Arpels's 'Ballet Précieux', a line based on the George Balanchine-choreographed ballet Jewels, a unique collection centered on four central themes: the ballet, emerald, ruby and diamond are so beautiful, they literally capture the dancers' soul. The idea of movement being translated into piece of jewelry appeals to everyone. I think it's fascinating.

Useful links:
www.vancleef-arpels.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8yH4xgWJ8k

Who Owns Antiquity?

Who Owns Antiquity?: Museums and the Battle over Our Ancient Heritage by James Cuno is an interesting book on cultural property matters, a topic of great importance to archaeologists, collectors, dealers, and museum curators. A must-read.

Heard On The Street

If I only knew the winning probabilities of the horses, I wouldn't need to know winners; I'd be making a fortune anyway.

Brandywine River Museum

The Brandywine River Museum holds spectacular art collections of NC Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth. They are often called the first family of American art. A must-visit.

Useful link:
www.brandywinemuseum.org

Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2008

The Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2008 - June 13th - 14th sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand was spectacular.

Useful link:
www.huahinafterdark.com/hua-hin-jazz-festival.htm

Antony Todd

A Diamond Is Forever Floral Spectacular, designed by floral designer Antony Todd, with over 24,000 long stem red roses spelling out A Diamond Is Forever, commissioned in celebration of Mother's Day was stunningly beautiful. Everyone who picked up a rose got a code that they could then enter online at www.adiamondisforever.com for a chance to win a 3 Stone Diamond Necklace worth $5,000.

Useful link:
www.antonytodd.com

Brilliant idea. I liked it.

The Art Of Film Music

The Art Of Film Music by George Burt is a great book on film scoring techniques. Enjoy it.

Jane Seymour's Open Heart Concept

I really liked Jane Seymour's Open Heart Necklace and Original Art concept because of its simplicity and functionality.

Useful links:
www.friendsofjane.com

Renewable Petroleum Technology

Here is what LS9 Inc. says about renewable petroleum technology @ http://www.ls9.com/technology I also found Chris Ayres article @ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4133668.ece
interesting as well. I think these breakthroughs definitely offer a commercially attractive path to sustainibility.

Useful link:
www.ls9.com

The World Of Caffeine

The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug by Bennett Alan Weinberg + Bonnie K. Bealer is an interesting book that covers history, science, commerce, and other aspects of caffeine culture. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.ico.org
http://coffeescience.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

Shifting Economy

Michael Novogratz talks with Nick Paumgarten about the long-term effects of a shifting economy from 'Stories from the Near Future,' at the 2008 New Yorker Conference @
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/novogratz

Useful link:
www.fortressinv.com

Brilliant!

Buying Diamonds Online

I found Businessweek's video on what to know about diamonds on the web @ http://feedroom.businessweek.com/index.jsp?fr_story=e22da4a379200015f0494c9053bb8661bd5066ee interesting. In fact, I liked it.

Bushveld Complex + The Diamond Link

National Science Foundation's new research in South Africa shows possible explanation for how Bushveld platinum ores were created + the unique encapsulation of platinum group elements as mineral inclusions in diamonds + the origin theory + other viewpoints @ http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111695&govDel=USNSF_51

Useful links:
www.nsf.gov
www.nature.com
www.ciw.edu
www.uct.ac.za

The Water Story

Susan Berfield writes about T. Boone Pickens's new business interests + other viewpoints @ http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_25/b4089040017753.htmchan=top+news_top+news+index_top+story

Useful links:
www.boonepickens.com
www.bpcap.net

There are people who will buy the water when they need it. And the people who have the water want to sell it. That's the blood, guts, and feathers of the thing.
- T Boone Pickens

How true!

Appraisal Organizations In The US

Each appraisal organizations in the U.S has its own rules and standards that are continually being updated.

Useful links:
www.appraisalfoundation.org
www.americangemsociety.org
www.appraisers.org
www.isa-appraisers.org
www.najaappraisers.com
www.appraisersassoc.org
http://accreditedgemologists.org

California World Fest

California WorldFest features eight stages of music and dance from around the world, camping with family and friends, workshops, international food, fine crafts, and the renowned children's program + specially selected independent films.

Useful link:
www.worldfest.net

Don't miss it!

The Necessary Revolution

The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals And Organizations Are Working Together to Create a Sustainable World by Peter M. Senge + Bryan Smith + Sara Schley + Joe Laur + Nina Kruschwitz is an interesting book that discusses the state of the business today and how individuals and corporations could innovate toward a more sustainable world.

Useful links:
www.solonline.org
www.presence.net
www.presencing.com

In a time of rapid change, I think we need unique qualities to be adaptive and productive.

Global Solar

Bryan Walsh writes about Global Solar, and their unique technology (turning sunlight into electricity) + other viewpoints @ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1813954,00.html

Useful link:
www.globalsolar.com

A limitless supply of clean, cheap energy--if thin film can deliver that, who wouldn't believe? Great technology.

The Vilnius Project

The government of Lithuania + Zaha Hadid will be constructing a joint Guggenheim/Hermitage satellite in Vilnius.

Useful links:
www.guggenheim.org
www.hermitagemuseum.org
www.zaha-hadid.com

The Guggenheim universe is definitely expanding.

Anna Bullus

London-based designer Anna Bullus's designs are innovative, simple, in fact, they are brilliant. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.annabullusdesign.com

Doing Diamond Business In South Africa

Chaim Even Zohar writes about issues and concerns in the diamond sector in South Africa + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

I think Chaim was spot on. Transfer of skills, know-how and contacts are important factors that sustains the diamond economy. If capital and skills are removed from the industry, then there is something wrong with the whole 'new order' concept.

Peeling Natural Pearls

Kari Anderson writes:
We don't hear much about pearl peeling today, but it was a common practice when natural pearls were the only source of these precious gems. I often hear it when folks talk about preparing the natural pearls from the Mississippi River here in Muscatine for jewelry. Almost all pearls are in perfect condition for setting when they are found; all that needs to be done is to rub them with a damp or moist cloth or with a powder of finely pulverized small or small pearls, and they are then ready for the succeeding processes. If there are any blemishes, these can be removed by peeling pearls or "faking," although few fine pearls require any such treatments; and then the gems may be drilled, strung, and set, and all that is necessary for their preservation is due care and attention. Pearls are frequently injured in opening the shells or in removal of the outer layers around the true pearly nacre. Both the Chinese and the Sulu fishermen are very clever in the art of pearl peeing and pearl improving. The method of peeling pearls is called "faking," although it is a perfectl legitimate operation. All it requires is a very sharp knife, a set of files, and a powder obtained by grinding pearls or pearl shells............. http://www.karipearls.com/peeling-pearls.html

Useful link:
www.karipearls.com

Thanks Kari for the excellent info.

Indian Art Auctions Update

Kishore Singh has an interesting update on art auctions in India @ http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=BO&autono=325896

Useful links:
www.bidandhammer.com
www.saffronart.com
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.harmonyindia.org

I think Indian art is on the move and keep watching to see which way prices go.

Artbeads

Artbead caters to individual artists + bead stores + professional designers worldwide. A must-visit.

Useful link:
www.artbeads.com

Changing Africa

A new atlas charts Africa's changing landscape over recent decades @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/10/climatechange.conservation

Useful link:
http://www.unep.org/dewa/africa/AfricaAtlas

Shocking, really.

Afghanistan's Crown Jewels

Jeffrey Bartholet writes about the mystery 'keyholders' who secretly protected Afghanistan's crown jewels through all the turbulence and chaos of war and looting + other viewpoints @ http://www.newsweek.com/id/140158

Useful links:
www.nationalgeographic.com
www.nga.gov

Bolzano's Museum Of Modern And Contemporary Art

William Lee Adams has an interesting update on Bolzano's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art @ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1811690,00.html

Useful links:
www.museion.it
www.ksv-network.de

It's breathtaking and beautiful! A must-visit.

The Man Who Loved China

The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom by Simon Winchester is a fascinating book about the bigger picture of the rise and future of the largest nation on Earth. Great read.

Useful link:
www.simonwinchester.com

Onassis Jewels

Jewels belonging to the daughter of Greek shipping tycoon, Aristotle Onassis will be auctioned by Christies in London. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7447560.stm

Useful link:
www.christies.com

The World's Best Places To Live 2008

According to Mercer Consulting's annual roundup of the global cities with the best quality of life, Zurich once again comes out on top, followed jointly by Vienna (2), Geneva (2), then Vancouver (4) and Auckland (5). The survey also identifies those cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement and relationships with other countries. Luxembourg ranks highest for personal safety; Baghdad, the lowest.

Useful link:
www.mercer.com

Roy Lichtenstein: The Painter

'Roy Lichtenstein: Girls' show continues through June 28, 2008 at the Gagosian Gallery, 980 Madison Avenue, near 77th Street, New York. Don't miss it!

Useful links:
www.lichtensteinfoundation.org
www.gagosian.com

The show is terrific. I think Roy Lichtenstein adored women.

Heard On The Street

Q: How do you make money in the market?
A: Nothing could be simpler: buy low, sell high.
Q: How can I learn to do that?
A: Ahhhh…that takes a lifetime.

Takashi Murakami + His Students

Sonia Zjawinski has an interesting update on Takashi Murakami's students: Ai Yamaguchi + Erina Matsui + Chiho Aoshima, and their profiles, styles + other viewpoints @ http://www.wired.com/culture/art/magazine/16-06/pl_arts

Useful links:
www.takashimurakami.com
www.ninyu.com
www.tokyoartbeat.com
http://the-artists.org

We Think

We-think: The Power of Mass Creativity by Charles Leadbeater is a fascinating and thought-provoking book on the pros and cons of growing communities on the web. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.wethinkthebook.net
www.charlesleadbeater.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiP79vYsfbo

Money For Nothing

Money for Nothing: One Man's Journey Through the Dark Side of Lottery Millions by Edward Ugel shows how difficult it can be to cope with windfall wealth. A personal memoir of greed and hope.

Useful link:
www.edwardugel.com

Our salespeople were lottery winners — we just never bought tickets. Selling to the winners was like selling to myself.
- Edward Ugel

How true!

Carbon Calculators

I found Carolyn Fry's article Carbon Calculators @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/19/carbon.web interesting. As she rightly put it, if enough people begin cutting their carbon footprint now, the CO2 saving will soon stack up, whichever you calculate it. Thanks Carolyn for the excellent info.

Useful links:
www.carbonfootprint.com
http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk
www.resurgence.org
www.climatecare.org
www.carbonneutral.com
www.chooseclimate.org
www.transportdirect.info
www.electricityinfo.org
http://coinet.org.uk

Gao Xingjian's Reflections

An artist must walk his own path, and if there are rules, they should only be rules that he himself has created.
- Gao Xingjian

How true!

Gao Xingjian at the Alisan Fine Arts gallery
http://iht.com/slideshows/2008/05/06/arts/06Seno-Slide.php
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/11/arts/seno.php

Green Living

Have a look that the U.S. Department of Energy's PDF guide, which is surprisingly helpful and chockful of suggestions for green living.
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Plant_Trees_to_Cool_Your_Home_and_the_Planet

I should have started planting trees twenty-five years ago.

Flame Queen Opal

One of the most famous opal in the world, dubbed the Flame Queen, weighing 263.18-cts will be auctioned by Bonhams & Butterfields on June 22, 2008, at the auction house’s San Francisco and Los Angeles locations.

Useful link:
www.bonhams.com

The unusual color pattern in this opal is one of the best, really.

Diamond Handbag

Created by Japanese designer Ginza Tanaka, the platinum bag valued at £1m has been set with more than 2,000 diamonds + its diamond shoulder strap can be detached and worn as a necklace or a bracelet, while the 8-carat pear-shaped diamond centrepiece surrounded by a cluster of eighty-one smaller diamonds can be taken off and worn as a brooch.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7443742.stm

London Jewellery Week, sponsored by Coutts, runs from 11-15 June, 2008.

Useful links:
www.ginzatanaka.co.jp
www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk

Fans of designer couteur will love it.

On Persuasion

(via Amazon) The book Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges by Antonin Scalia + Bryan A. Garner was great. Here is what they have to say:

- Know your audience
- Lead with your strongest argument
- Communicate clearly and concisely
- Close powerfully and say explicitly what you want your audience to do
- Banish jargon
- Hone your public speaking skills
- Dress appropriately
- When you're not on your feet, you're on stage
- Look judges in the eye
- Don't chew your fingernails

Though the ideas are for developing briefs and arguments to persuade judges, I think the 10 rules listed above apply to any business situations.

Video Games Update

David Kirkpatrick writes about video games and their application for immersive experience + issues of marketing, sociology, and Internet culture + other viewpoints @ http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/06/technology/games_change.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008060606

Useful links:
http://worldwideworkshop.org
www.gamesforchange.org
http://globalkids.org
www.girlstart.org
www.amd.com

I think games can embody any values and be on any subject and many would go the extra mile to have an immersive experience.

Louise Bourgeois's Art

Louise Bourgeois is an artist and sculptor. Peter Plagens writes about her unique styles and persona, her long career + other viewpoints @ http://www.newsweek.com/id/140278

What a remarkable woman and artist. At 96, she is precious and inspiring!

Green In Politics + Business = Good Environment

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom talks with Dana Goodyear on what it means to be green in politics and in the world, from 'Stories from the Near Future,' at the 2008 New Yorker Conference @ http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/newsom

Useful link:
www.sfgov.org/mayor

Very inspiring. We need more leaders like Gavin Newsom, really.

Beauty + Geek

I found Erik De Nijs, designer of the Keyboard Pants very interesting, in fact, I liked it. http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2008/06/erik-de-nijs-yo.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brucesterling/sets/72157605496145298

Useful links:
www.hku.nl
www.oooms.nl

Design + Science

PAX Scientific’s elegant Lily impeller was featured in the Design and the Elastic Mind exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City (Feb 24 - May 12, 2008). The exhibition highlighted examples of successful translation of disruptive innovation into usable objects and explored the relationship between design and science. http://www.paxscientific.com/news.html#MoMa

Useful links:
www.moma.org
www.paxscientific.com
www.jayharman.com

Random Thoughts

One of the great tragedies of life is that when we really need advice, we're unlikely to listen to it. When we are young and clueless, people give us the benefit of their wisdom, and we sneeze at it. Later, when we finally see that what we do not know exceeds that which we do, we're already too calcified in our opinions to heed the answers that are blowing in the wind. Thus we go our own way, sometimes staying on the right road, sometimes toddling off merrily into the ditch.

- Stanley Bing

How true!

Bad Painting — Good Art

Bad Painting — good art, exhibit opened @ Vienna's Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) on 6 June, 2008 - 12 October 2008. What's interesting is the artist's methodology: They challenge their medium by using a range of incorrect, bad or ugly approaches in order to attack and criticize it by its own means.

Useful link:
www.mumok.at

Weegee

(via Wiki) Weegee was the pseudonym of Arthur Fellig an American photographer and photojournalist, known for his stark black and white street photography.

Useful links:
www.icp.org/weegee
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/07/arts/weegee.php
www.imamuseum.org

He will take his camera and ride off in search of new evidence that his city, even in her most drunken and disorderly and pathetic moments, is beautiful.
- William McCleery in Naked City

Brilliant collections!

Ecologically Responsible Jewelry

I found GreenKarat interesting because they create original earrings, rings and necklaces out of 100 percent postconsumer recycled gold.

Useful link:
www.greenkarat.com

Diamond Buying Experience

Jay Greene profiles Mark Vadon, Blue Nile's executive chairman and co-founder @ http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_23/b4087039014145.htm

Useful link:
www.bluenile.com

A Splendid Exchange

A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World by William J. Bernstein is fascinating story about human nature and character + covers history of trade from prehistoric to modern times. A great book. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.efficientfrontier.com

Neighbors are more useful alive than dead.
- William J. Bernstein

Indie Filmmakers

John Tozzi writes about Indie filmmakers who are using the Internet to get their stories in front of people who want to hear them, foregoing the conventional path of shopping their films to a distributor @ http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jun2008/sb2008065_226261.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_news+%2B+analysis

Useful links:
www.filmcommunity.com
www.withoutabox.com
www.bside.com
www.cineticmedia.com

BusinessWeek staff writer John Tozzi's narrated slide show was brilliant. I liked it.
Thanks John.

Brand Heaven/Hell

(via Bruce Nussbaum/Businessweek) David Armano's illo of the steps to Brand Heaven--and Brand Hell was brilliant. Great visuals. I liked it.

Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series

Bob Dylan: The Drawn Blank Series by Frank Zollner + Ingrid Mossinger + Kerstin Dreschel is a wonderful catalogue of the works of this great artist.

Useful links:
www.bobdylan.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTeYYenRTFA

Art Boom + Insurers

Nazanin Lankarani writes about fine art and collectible insurer, AXA Art Insurance + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/30/arts/rcartaxa.php

Useful link:
www.axa-art.com

Business Of Green

According to The International Energy Agency, the amount it will cost to go green is $45 trillion. The agency thinks the answer might lie in a global treaty, persuading member nations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to lower emissions. I don't think it's that easy. With the prices of gas and oil reaching record levels, energy entrepreneurs will have to think differently. We need to completely transform the way we produce and use energy.

Useful links:
www.iea.org
http://unfccc.int
http://ec.europa.eu
www.cera.com
www.ecfr.eu

Random Thoughts

The U.S. middle class jewelry buyer is toast -- he doesn't have the money. He is living off pay checks.

- Martin Rapaport

Diamond Market Update

Mark Boston writes about the state of the diamond industry @ http://hgoldie.blogspot.com/2008/06/unintended-consequences.html

Useful link:
www.hgoldie.com

Jewelry Industry Update

I found Nicholas White's analysis on the state of the large and mid-sized jewerly chains @ http://www.glgroup.com/News/Large-and-Mid-Sized-Jewelry-Chains-Lose-as-the-Industry-Consolidates.-25340.html
interesting and insightful. The industry is definitely consolidating; I think the winners are specialized small jewelry chains who know their customers.

The Uncertain Art

The Uncertain Art: Thoughts on a Life in Medicine by Sherwin B. Nuland is an insightful book on a doctor's practice (expertise, luck, good judgment) and life. There is much to be learned and there are events that can’t be explained by current scientific knowledge, and perhaps never will be.

Life is short, and the Art so long; the occasion fleeting; experience fallacious; and judgment difficult. The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also to make the patient, the attendants, and the externals, cooperate.
– Hippocrates, c. 400 B.C.E.

Random Thoughts

Like cans of fruit in the great supermarket of business, we all have a shelf life… a sell-by date that is stamped somewhere, possibly on the tops of our cans, I don’t know. When that date arrives, it’s time for us to go. It’s business. It’s not personal.

- Stanley Bing

How true!

The Appeal Of Opera In Modern Culture

Peter Gelb's talk with Alex Ross about the appeal of opera in modern culture at the 2008 New Yorker Conference @ http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/gelb was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Video Games Live Announces New Shows

Video Games Live has announced 50 shows, including first time ever game concerts in France, China, Taiwan, Scotland and Portugal.

Useful link:
www.videogameslive.com

It has everything: cutting edge visuals + technology + interactivity. It's amazing!

GIA’s Box Of Trade Secrets

Chaim Even Zohar writes about GIA issues + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Food = Gold

It's hard to believe, but as the world's need for food and energy greatly increases, speculators are investing in farmland, technology and development of infrastructure, bringing small, fragmented pieces together to boost the production side of agriculture.

I hope this brings value to everyone.

Heard On The Street

Each person is a business, with various assets, liabilities, capacities, and reserve capital, as well as capitalization of barriers to access. A trader with people skills, charm, or good looks squanders these normally valuable assets yoked to the torture machine all day.

How true!

Curtains

Curtains: A unique murder-mystery musical. Don't miss it!

Useful link:
www.curtainsthemusical.com

Fischer Travel

(via artful persuasion) In essence, the scarcity principle says we value what is scarce. When we discover that something is scarce or may be unavailable, one of our first thoughts is that it must also be valuable.

Fischer Travel, a small, exclusive New York travel company uses the scarcity principle to build up its highly lucrative business of providing luxury and exotic travel to the rich and famous. Fischer Travel's select list of 500 business and entertainment 'big names' includes record mogul Quincy Jones, basketball legend Magic Johnson, and fashion designer Donna Karan, plus members of the super-rich Vanderbilt and Rockefeller families. To support its claim to exclusivity, Fischer Travel never advertises, has an unlisted phone number, and distributes business cards that carry only the agency’s name and address - no phone number. Clients come in by personal referrals.

Brilliant idea!

Games For Change

The only conference dedicated to the exciting new movement using Digital Games for Social Change will explore real-world impact + the latest state-of-the-art games on June 27-28, 2008 in New York.

Useful links:
www.gamesforchange.org
www.parsons.newschool.edu

Diamonds + Jeans

(via kitmeout fashion forum) Secret Circus Clothing Company make the world's most expensive jeans: £640,000! Hand-made in Los Angeles and then flown to England to be embellished with a design that includes 15 diamonds cut by London-based diamond firm Duttson Rocks (Here’s the break down: 1 marquise cut - 4.63 carats = £102,0002; round brilliant cut - 6 carats each = £250,0001; princess cut - 5.09 carats - £104,0001; pear cut - 5.37 carats £134,000; 10 single carat diamonds = £50,000).

Useful link:
www.secretcircusclothing.com

Brilliant PR!

Money + Happiness

I found the article Spending on Happiness @ http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5944.html educational and insightful.

Useful links:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com

It's really amazing to uncover the domains in which money might lead to happiness.

Art Basel

Art Basel: The largest international contemporary art fair opened on June 4, 2008, in Basel, Switzerland.

Useful link:
www.artbasel.com

What's amazing is despite the financial market crisis and high energy prices, the art market is still booming.

First, Break All the Rules

First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham + Curt Coffman is a great book on identifying talent.

Useful links:
www.marcusbuckingham.com
www.curtcoffman.com

Hotel: An American History

Hotel: An American History by Andrew K. Sandoval-Strausz is a wonderful book about the rise of hotels and the hospitality industry in the United States. What an eye-opener! I liked it.

Cleantech Entrepreneurial Community

I found the article Changing the World from the Edge @ http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id20080530_606257.htm educational and inspiring.

Useful links:
http://berc.berkeley.edu
http://ceei.berkeley.edu
http://blumcenter.berkeley.edu
www.deloitte.com
http://www.edgeperspectives.typepad.com

Mastering Executricks

I am huge fan of Stanley Bing. Take Stanley Bing's quiz to find out if you're an accomplished trickster @ http://money.cnn.com/quizzes/2008/bing/executricks/index.html

Useful link:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/stanleybing

Lab-grown Pink Diamonds

Gemesis, known for its lab-grown yellow diamonds, has added a new shade to its color palette -- pink; the pink stones will be about 1-2 carats rough, and about 30 percent to 50 percent of that weight once polished. Expect to see cut stones in jewelry stores by early 2009!

Useful links:
www.gemesisdiamondco.com
www.gemesis.com

Social and Environmental Stock Exchange

I found the article, A Stock Exchange for Do-Gooders @ http://www.newsweek.com/id/139436 inspiring. I wish there were more social stock exchanges embracing pragmatic business solutions fighting poverty. Hats off to Celso Grecco!

Useful links:
www.atitudemarketingsocial.com.br
www.bovespasocial.org.br

Influence At Work

(via Wiki) Robert Cialdini is an internationally respected expert in the fields of persuasion, social influence, compliance, negotiation and social norms.

Useful link:
www.influenceatwork.com

Micropower Generation

(via Guardian) According to the Department for Business, Energy and Regulatory Reform (DBERR), British buildings equipped with solar, wind and other micro power equipment could generate as much electricity in a year as five nuclear power stations + a combination of loans, grants and incentives could lead to nearly 10m microgeneration systems being installed by 2020 + such a large scale switch to microrenewable energy could save 30m tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of nearly 5% of all UK electricity.

Useful link:
www.micropower.co.uk

I would really like to see similar actions in emerging economies of Asia and Africa because micropower generation combined with energy-efficient measures will definitely help towards reducing our carbon emissions.

Earth Works

Lamar Clarkson writes about artists who are finding novel and sometimes quirky ways to heal the world + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2503

Brilliant!

Design-art

I found Alice Rawsthorn's article on design-art @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/02/arts/design2.php
interesting, in fact, she was right, design-arts are becoming commercial phenomenons, and auction houses are making good money.

Useful links:
www.designmiami.com
www.mossonline.com
www.neutra.org
www.contrastsgallery.com
www.galeriekreo.com
www.toolsgalerie.com
www.establishedandsons.com
www.deitch.com
http://galerieneu.net
www.moma.org
www.airdeparis.com
www.haunchofvenison.com

JVC + Green Pack

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) is going green + the JVC's Green Pack includes an informational CD, templates, forms, an AML DVD to help jewelers train their employees on the requirements of the law, new guidance for the industry and a storage binder.

Useful link:
www.jvclegal.org

Václav Havel

(via Wiki) Václav Havel is a Czech writer and dramatist. He was the tenth and last President of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992) and the first President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003). He has written over twenty plays and numerous non-fiction works, some of which have received international acclaim. He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, and the Ambassador of Conscience Award.

Useful link:
www.vaclavhavel.cz

I am huge fan of Václav Havel.

Planet Green

Planet Green's 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network with online and on-air presence represents a broad range of ideas and perspectives. I think the solutions-oriented tips and information are practical and inspiring. Let's go green!

Useful links:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com
www.planetgreengame.com

Film School

Here is what San Francisco's Film School site has to say about filmmaking:
'At the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking the film set is your classroom – whether you’re directing your own film, writing your first screenplay, or working with professionals on a feature. For aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters or film actors, our film school gives you the three most valuable tools you need to start your career - a reel of your own work, credits on student and professional projects, and contacts in the industry. Our film school curriculum is entirely project-based, allowing you to develop your skills hands-on while bringing your creative ideas to life. SFSDF has a powerfully simple philosophy 'the best way to learn the craft of filmmaking is to make films!' At our film school, students produce hundreds of films every year.'

Useful link:
www.sfdigifilm.com

Faith + Globalisation

I think the links between the religious, economic and political forces shaping our world are either translucent to opaque or too rarely explored or explained. I hope The Tony Blair Faith Foundation will put this right. Good luck!

Useful link:
http://tonyblairfaithfoundation.org

Blue Print

Sylvia Hochfield writes about the disputed fingerprint on Jackson Pollock's paint can + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2504&current=True

Useful links:
www.jacksonpollock.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0487092
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_the_Fuck_Is_Jackson_Pollock%3F

Selling works of art with ambiguous or questionable authenticity requires special skills. I encounter the same problems in the gem and jewelry industry. Catch me if you can!

Random Thoughts

Sushil Kedia writes: My father handed over the wealth of his knowledge from a lifetime of speculating the night before I was leaving home and starting a career in the markets of Mumbai:
1) Sleep well and enough and at regular hours. Deprived sleep doesn't get compensated by catching up.
2) Eat well and at regular hours. An upset stomach makes the mind waver. Drink lots of water.
3) Speak only when necessary. Never loudly.
4) Listen.
5) Gather facts, steer clear of opinions.
6) Stay away from losses. Money will come from chance.
7) Don't trust anyone completely. But trust.
8) Write your books of accounts everyday.
9) Adjust sleep if any of these don't work well.

Brilliant!

Humanitarian Engineering

Amy Smith talks with Rebecca Mead about applying new technology in the developing world @
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/smith which I thought was innovative and brilliant.

Useful link:
http://web.mit.edu/d-lab

World Science Festival

I found Wired's article on World Science Festival educational and insightful + what's intriguing was a model city now under construction in Dongtan, China (Wired's profile of the city at Dongtan here). Brilliant! http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/five-people-who.html

Useful links:
www.worldsciencefestival.com
www.arup.com
www.verticalfarm.com
www.ssbx.org
http://transstudio.com
http://cities.media.mit.edu
http://www.archinode.com/peristalcity.html
http://www.archinode.com/bienal.html

I hope there were more sustainable cities worldwide.

Working Longer

Working Longer: The Solution to the Retirement Income Challenge by Alicia H. Munnell and Steven A. Sass is an interesting book on retirement issues and how to stay well-off after retirement.

Useful links:
www.brookings.edu
http://crr.bc.edu

I think much depends on individual's attitude (hard work + updating skills = productive).

An Inconvenient Truth Opera

The legendary La Scala opera house in Milan has commissioned a full-length work to be based on Al Gore's book, An Inconvenient Truth, and the Oscar-winning documentary of the same title, by Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli, to be staged in 2011.

Useful links:
www.teatroallascala.org
www.climatecrisis.net

I think Al Gore is a winner and may feel humbled by the latest distinction.

William Scott

Economist writes about William Scott's art works + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=11478453

Useful link:
www.williamscott.org

Don't be an art critic. Paint. There lies salvation.
- Paul Cézanne

I liked it.

The Nature Of Diamonds

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be presenting 'The Nature of Diamonds', the most wide-ranging exhibition ever developed on the allure of diamonds. From Saturday, October 25, 2008 until Sunday, March 22, 2009, visitors to the ROM’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall on level B2 in the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal will be dazzled by the exhibition’s spectacular jewellery and stunning gemstones.

Useful links:
www.rom.on.ca
www.amnh.org
www.hmns.org

A must-visit.

Art In Moscow

Sonia Kishkovsky writes about Moscow's new trend: art-related parties + pre-auction previews (by big auction houses) for the Moscow’s elite + other viewpoints @
http://blogs.iht.com/tribtalk/travel/globespotters/?p=426

Useful links:
www.moscow-faf.com
www.aidan-gallery
www.janekahan.com
www.rusmuseum.ru
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Ockham's Razor

Ockham's Razor is the principle proposed by William of Ockham in the fourteenth century: 'Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate', which translates as 'entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily' or 'keep it simple'.

He was spot on.

Great Wines From Argentina

Robert Parker is the world's most influential wine critic. He writes about malbecs @ http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/may2008/bw20080529_268512.htm

Useful link:
www.eRobertParker.com