Sensate: Bodies And Design

Designs via the human body. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.sfmoma.org/multimedia/videos/359
www.alexschweder.com/work/sac_of_rooms.html

Heard On The Street

If you want to find one good gemstone you need to research 10. If you want to find 10 good gemstones you need to research 100. Now be realistic. Who is going to research 100 gemstones? Who has the time, energy, resources, knowledge +++ to play on this field? Really. Most of us are involved in other things such as running a business, earning a living, holding together a fragile marriage +++. You know what you need? You need management. Money management that is. So true!

The Phillips Collection

A great review. Hats off to Duncan Phillips! www.phillipscollection.org

Art Market Update

Souren Milikian's opinion piece on Corot to Monet, A Fresh Look at Landscape from the Collection (National Gallery) was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Edinburgh International Book Festival

An inspiring book festival indeed. Give it a try. www.edbookfest.co.uk

The Red Flags Rule

Effective October 1, 2009, the Red Flags Rule, which has been in effect since January 1, 2008, will require jewelry retail businesses to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program. The goal of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) program is to prevent thieves from stealing identity information for fraudulent purposes. http://www2.ftc.gov/redflagsrule

Like A Rolling Stone

It was in 1965 that Bob Dylan wrote Like A Rolling Stone, with its line: 'How does it feel to be on your own, a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone?'. A song which definitely wakes you up. What a great song!

Useful link:
www.bobdylan.com

Le Grotte della Civita

The best advice I can give you is to take a walk, alone, through the area and breathe in the air of the stones. Tonio Acito. So true. I never realized rock churches were so beautiful, some of them dating back to the days when Matera was part of the Byzantine Empire. Artistically impressive, really. Thanks John for sharing the info.

Useful links:
www.sassidimatera.com
www.sassiweb.it

Random Thoughts

Cheese is something people are much more interested in and knowledgeable about than they were 20 years ago. But people are still pretty limited. They know Swiss, cheddar, goat cheese, blue cheese, brie — and that's about it. But they keep learning. It's like what happened with wine. Fifty years ago, Americans didn't drink any wine. Then they discovered European wines. Then people started trying to make wine in California. Now people know American wine and European wine and they're starting to learn about grapes, like the difference between Merlot and pinot grigio. I think that will happen with cheese. I also think we'll see a lot more American-made cheeses from specific producers. That, to me, is the next big wave. We finally discovered wine, but cheese is about 20 years behind.

- Liz Thorpe
www.murrayscheese.com

So true!

Heard On The Street

Everything you need to know about gem markets you can learn at rock concerts. The effect is the same.

Artists Taking The Lead

Artists Taking the Lead is the first major project in the four-year Cultural Olympiad, which aims to showcase British art and culture. I thought it was a unique way to engage with the public. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

Hypermusic Prologue

Lisa Randall's experimental opera, Hypermusic Prologue: A Projective Opera in Seven Planes was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.physics.harvard.edu/people/facpages/randall.html

New York Jewelry Show

Tony Siederman's viewpoints were interesting. Gem dealers and jewelers are looking at new ways to cut costs, testing cause-related marketing tools to do the right thing—giving loyal customers new reasons to be in the store.

Power Plant

Go to the Royal Botanic Gardens for an immersive experience.

Useful links:
www.powerplant.org.uk
www.rbge.org.uk

Casa Sacerdotal Diocesana de Plasencia

What a brilliant makeover! I think the Catholic Church in India should take a look at Plasencia, and do something to inspire the communities they serve, really. Hats off to Andres Jaque Arquitectos!

Useful link:
http://andresjaque.net

Kiri Te Kanawa

The Maori soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa is to retire from the opera, after a career spanning four decades. She is one of the most famous figures of the opera world. She will always be a much-loved figure in the arts world.

Useful link:

www.kiritekanawa.org

Lessons From Israel

Gideon Tolkowsky's opinion piece on Israeli high-tech startups was brilliant. Corporate culture is like the scent that is in the carpet. You can vacuum the carpet day in and day out; you can send it to the cleaners again and again; the scent remains. Therefore, it had better be the right scent -- the right corporate culture -- from the beginning. Companies that cultivate a global culture, from the day their founders write the first page of their business plan and from the day they recruit their first employee, have the best chance of growing in today's global economy. So true!

Useful link:
www.bmecapital.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Spot on. I think most diamond traders don’t care about the Kimberly Process, really. In my opinion the KP mechanism is visibly included. The twig is bent so shall the tree grow.

Useful links:
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.diamondintelligence.com

India Art Summit 2009

The second edition of India’s Modern and Contemporary Art Fair is scheduled from August 19 - 22, 2009 at Pragati Maidan (ITPO), New Delhi. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.indiaartsummit.com

China's Green Energy Revolution

Peter Ford's opinion piece on China's position in green technology was spot on. The US is very innovative, but everything comes to fruition in China. So true!

Useful links:
www.wwf.org
www.panda.org
www.wsgr.com
www.china-greentech.com
www.clearworldnow.com
www.yinglisolar.com
www.ecust.edu.cn
www.tpri.com.cn
www.ennsolar.com
www.e3g.org

Why Diamonds Are A Criminal's Best Friend

Diamonds are a criminals best friend. They are easy to conceal and carry, and with the right contacts and networks it is easy to cash them. In fact diamonds are the ultimate currency of the global underworld. What is intriguing about the £40 million raid on Graff's jewelry store last week is how could this happen again? Most security problems aren't just technical, they're organizational. People understand risks – but do security staff understand people? The raid on Graff's jewelry store proves that it's not over. They will do it again.

Useful link:
www.graffdiamonds.com

Nancy Lublin Viewpoint

An interesting perspective on poker vs running a not-for-profit. The four lessons: (1) You've got to know when to hold 'em (2) Know when to fold 'em (3) Know when to walk away. And know when to run (4) You never count your money when you're sitting at the table. There'll be time enough for counting when the deal is done, in fact made sense. Thanks Nancy.

Useful link:
www.dosomething.org

Dave Salmoni

Dave Salmoni is a well-trained and skilled animal whisperer, and specializes in natural history filmmaking. A truly amazing person. Check out Discovery Channel's Rogue Nature series, Animal Planet's Predator versus Prey +++

Useful links:
www.dave-salmoni.com
www.triosphere.co.za

Russell Simmons Viewpoint

Interesting indeed. I don't think it's wrong to make a style statement with your choice of jewelry. He was spot on. You design and you do what you feel and this feels more honest.

Useful link:
www.simmonsjewelryco.com

Design Thinking 2009

Tim Brown's (IDEO) viewpoint on Design Thinking at TED Global in London was inspiring.

Useful links:
www.ted.com
http://designthinking.ideo.com

Fluorescence Blues

Michael Cowing's opinion piece on fluorescent diamonds and the techniques to separate true-white diamonds from false ones was insightful. www.acagemlab.com

Random Thoughts

You need to listen to adversaries and understand where they are coming from. Then find a way to find common ground with them. After all these years of working with different groups, I've gotten comfortable with Mick Jagger's idea that you don't always get what you want, but you get what you need.

- Jim Rogers
www.duke-energy.com

Spot on.

Asteroid Impact Craters

The asteroid impact craters actually looked like beautiful sculptures. Check out this link http://geology.com/meteor-impact-craters.shtml

Project Colorblind

I found Continuum's project Colorblind very interesting. Find out what they have discovered. www.dcontinuum.com

Artificial Leaf Project

I found the artificial leaf project intriguing. If all goes well, the researchers could eventually mimic, photosynthesis, and build artificial systems that can do the same to generate clean fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. These would then be used in fuel cells to make electricity or directly to power super-clean vehicles. Brilliant.

Useful links:
www.bio.ic.ac.uk/research/Barber
http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/dgn/www
www.ukerc.ac.uk

London Jewel Heist

How could the two robbers armed with handguns get away with 43 jewels and watches worth £40m? Hard to believe, really.

Useful link:
www.graffdiamonds.com

Lord Of War Update

A Thai court has rejected a US request for the extradition of Viktor Bout, an alleged Russian arms dealer a.k.a the 'Merchant of Death'. He is believed to have inspired Nicolas Cage's character in the 2005 film 'Lord of War'. He appeared on UN Security Council resolution travel ban list - along with the then Liberian President Charles Taylor and some of his ministers - as 'Victor Anatoljevitch Bout alias Butt, Bont, Buttee, Boutov, Sergitov Vitali', and was described thus: 'Businessman, dealer and transporter of weapons and minerals. Arms dealer in contravention of UNSC resolution 1343. Supported former President Charles Taylor's regime in efforts to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain illicit access to diamonds.' This is Thailand (TIT). Stay tuned.

­Peabody Essex Museum

The ­Peabody Essex Museum is exhibiting a visiting collection of work that reveals the very foundation of maritime painting—70 seascapes by Dutch contemporaries of Rembrandt and Vermeer. Don't miss. Thanks B L Scherer.

Useful link:
www.pem.org

Global Business BBC

In the latest edition Peter Day talks to Sunny George Verghese, Group Managing Director and CEO, Olam International about globalization and its impact on branding. Spot on.

Useful link:
www.olamonline.com

Campbell Bridges

It has been reported that Campbell Bridges, the first person to introduce Tanzanite (1967) and Tsavorite (1967-Tanzania/1970-Kenya) to the world has been killed over an unknown dispute at a mine in the Taita Taveta District in Tsavo National Park.

Useful links:
www.tsavorite.com
www.gemstone.org

Bethan Laura Wood

Bethan Laura Wood's beautiful designs caught my attention. Fresh and eye-catching, really.

Useful link:
www.woodlondon.co.uk

World Expo 2010

In 2010, Shanghai will host the World Expo. What's intriguing is the presence of design-conscious countries and their stunningly beautiful pavilions. Don't miss. http://en.expo2010.cn

The Energy Report

The report on uranium was interesting. I believe global acceptance of nuclear energy will have a big impact on uranium over the next decade as countries move towards a viable non-greenhouse gas-generating alternative to oil or coal. Of course safety measures must be carefully considered. That's the way to go.

Useful links:
www.theenergyreport.com
www.mineralfields.com

The Coffee World And Climate Change

Peter Baker's opinion piece was educational and insightful. As the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman put it, globalisation is where everything is connected and nobody is in charge. Spot on. How do you tackle climate change and price stability?

Useful links:
www.cabi.org
www.scidev.net
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network

Artists Pay For Stay With Artwork, Not Cash

Hotel Marienbad in Auguststrasse has opened its doors to artists, asking them to pay for bed and board not with money but with a work of art. A great project indeed. In fact I loved it.

Useful links:
www.kw-berlin.de
www.art-in-berlin.de/incbmeld.php?id=1405

Customer Experience

Strativity Group's research findings on customer experience was interesting. Consumers want an immersive experience, and they are willing to pay for it. Period.

Useful link:
www.strativity.com

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee Views

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched a free electronic newsletter, eNews and Views, for members that contains important information for the retail industry. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.jvclegal.org

Art Market Update

Souren Milikian's opinion piece on Sothebys and Christies was interesting. For years, the two auction giants have been at each other’s throats for art-market supremacy, and I think they will continue to do so to get a bigger market share. If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must man be of learning from experience. George Bernard Shaw.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Alex Katz

A Katz painting, for all its coolness, projects feeling. So true! It's really amazing at 82, he is still young and competes with artists half his age for the audience.

Useful link:
www.alexkatz.com

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

What a brilliant post! What everyone learned is that when you treat people like adults, they act like adults. So true!

Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com

The Gold Report

Brent Cook's views on the economy + Chinese purchasing + investment in gold and base metals stocks was interesting. www.theaureport.com

Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, New York is indeed a work of art. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.noguchi.org

David Byrne

David Byrne's musical artwork was brilliant. I loved it. www.davidbyrne.com

The Cove

The Cove is a documentary about dolphin slaughter in Japan. The filmmakers literally took their life in their hands to make it. I think it's one of the best eco-documentaries of the year. http://thecovemovie.com

Heard On The Street

I have often tried to explain to the young ones how I can be wrong most of the time and still make money in business. Luck is important in any undertaking.

Panama Canal

4% of world trade passes through the Canal, and thanks to its widening. We will be in optimal condition, starting from 2015, to deal with what could be a possible increase of up to 6% of world trade through the Isthmus of Panama. Vielka Vasquez de Avila, University of Panama.

Useful link:
www.pancanal.com

I hope the environmental impact would be minimal.

Cathédrale d'Images

Fifty years ago, Picasso acted in Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus, filmed in a limestone quarry in Les Baux-de-Provence. The quarry, now a cave-like gallery, is home to a Picasso exhibit in which his paintings are projected onto the irregular stone walls, which reach up to 40 feet high, accompanied by music from Miles Davis and Vivaldi. It's an immersive experience. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.cathedrale-images.com

Earth's Oceans

I have always wondered whether the impactors were icy comets or rocky asteroids. Maybe it's both. Perhaps it was an happy accident. Every time I drink a glass of water I think about it.

Useful links:
www.nbi.ku.dk
www.astrobiology.cf.ac.uk
http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~dauphas

Beautiful Losers

The new film explores underground subcultures in 1990s New York. www.beautifullosers.com

Jim Rogers News

Jim is well respected for good reason. He is usually spot on, and he isn't afraid to speak his mind.

Useful links:
http://jimrogers.tk
www.youtube.com/user/JimRogersChannel

Gem Mining In The Kaluganga River, Sri Lanka

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has filed a case in the Court of Appeal challenging licenses issued by Hasitha Thilakaratne, Gem & Jewellery Authority chairman, to mine gems in the Kaluganga River bed at Kahangama, where mining has allegedly damaged the environment. I hope they do the right thing. Check out the link www.ejustice.lk

Random Thoughts

Thousands perhaps are in the backwaters of life because of the debacles in 1997 and 1998. These stories should be a lesson to those trading today, with the same systems enlivened with better kinds of flashing lights. It was some kind of miracle that I took $25,000 and turned it into $115,000 back in the heydays. The market just went up and up and I could not pick a bad stock. I would make $10,000 in a few days. Then the market turned and I did not recognize it, played the same game, did not change my style, kept reading web pages from the bulls. But the bears had taken over. Then by the time I recognized my error the bulls had taken charge again and by that time I was listening to the bears. I lost both ways.

- Ken Smith

Spot on.

Japanese Akoya Pearls

Mikimoto's new akoya pearl culturing project in Ainoshima was interesting. If they are able to harvest akoya pearls with good color and luster, then it's good news for the pearl industry.

Useful link:
www.mikimoto.com

The Fantasticks

A great musical. Really. www.fantasticksonbroadway.com

Innovation In A Downturn

The Mckinsey report was insightful. It's amazing how innovation transforms traditional businesses to successful business models of tomorrow. A New Normal. Really.

Useful link:
http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com

Copenhagen Consensus Centre Report

The scientists proposal of using cloud ships to launch clouds into the sky via 1,900 unmanned wind-powered ships criss-crossing the oceans, sucking up sea water and spraying it from the top of tall funnels to create vast white clouds was interesting. The Copenhagen Consensus Center estimates that it will only cost US$9 billion to launch in the next 25 years, compared to the US $250 billion that many countries plan to spend on climate change every year. It's mind boggling, really. The question is, will it work?

Useful link:
www.copenhagenconsensus.com

Random Thoughts

The worst thing you can do in a trade is try to get back to even. I call that the 'prayer trade.' I can spot guys on the floor who have it on because they shake back and forth, basically in prayer, mumbling, 'Oh, please God, just let it come back to me. Let me break even.' What is that? Break even? That’s a loser. I’m not in this business to break even. There’s always opportunity in the markets, so forget breaking even. If breaking even is your goal, you’re not trading anymore.

- James Lackey

So true!

Butler & Wilson

I think imitation jewelry will never go out of style. For 40 years Butler & Wilson has been the jewelry company of choice for film stars and princesses, they have made imitation into chic, and its amazing their deliciously sparkling gems and fantastically oversized jewelry has adorned the pages of Vogue for four decades. A great story indeed. Hats off to Simon Wilson!

Useful link:
www.butlerandwilson.co.uk

Thirty Second MBA

I loved it. Directly from the people who make business happen. Good advice from the trenches. Short. Sweet. Unfiltered. Entertaining. Relevant. Thanks, Fast Company. 30 Second MBA

Shepard Fairey Update

Shepard Fairey is back with a new Barack Obama portrait with a brow knit in determination, surrounded by a halo of stars. It's on the cover of the August 20, 2009 Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com

Useful link:
http://obeygiant.com

Gemfields Report

Gemfields auction results were interesting. They were able to sell 26 of 27 parcels of rough emeralds in London for US$5.9 million, an average of US$4.37 per carat. The 1.36 million carats offered in the auction represented the higher quality stones produced at Kagem, but only 5% of total production by volume. The only parcel that failed to reach its reserve price contained just over 3,000 carats for which Gemfields wanted US$300/carat. Great timing. www.gemfields.co.uk

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Spot on Chaim. Lack of action will damage both KP (The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) and the diamond industry, and impact consumer confidence. It's a catch-22 situation.

Useful links:
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.riotinto.com
www.acrplc.com
www.worlddiamondcouncil.com
www.globalwitness.org

Robert Young Pelton

I am a big fan of anything Pelton. He is an author, journalist and documentary filmmaker. www.comebackalive.com

Certified Gold Coins

Collectors are investing in certified gold coins because they believe it's the only real money in existence. The basic fact that gold retains its value over time has been true for thousands of years and is still true today. Want to give it a try? www.encoregold.com

Useful links:
www.pcgs.com
www.ngccoin.com

Ten Mysteries Of You

There is nothing more fascinating to most of us than ourselves. The New Scientist report on human behavior was interesting. www.newscientist.com

Overnight Success Phenomena

Great review. No one knows for sure as to why ideas and behaviors catch on and spread like wildfire, and then boomerang. Could it be state of mind? Momentary autism? I think it's 'This is here today, gone tomorrow' syndrome. Forever. Really.

Vancouver Convention Centre

It's more than a building. With its thoughtful design, it's a living green roof. What a great view! www.vancouverconventioncentre.com

Useful links:
www.lmnarchitects.com
http://vimeo.com/user1406895
www.pwlpartnership.com/people/principals/bruce_hemstock

BIF-5 Storytellers

Mark your calendar. The BIF-5 Collaborative Innovation Summit bring together today's most compelling innovators, business model renegades and true transformers to discuss innovation success through personal storytelling. http://businessinnovationfactory.com

Budd Schulberg

Budd Schulberg, the legendary screenwriter and novelist who won an Oscar in 1954 for his classic film 'On the Waterfront,' (one of my favorite films of all time) has died. He was 95. May his soul rest in peace.

The Music Painter

Meet Kilford. The music painter. Quite simply, he paints music. http://themusicpainter.com

The Edinburgh Art Festival 2009

The festival has something for everyone. www.edinburghartfestival.com Don't miss.

New Ruby And Sapphire Guide

CIBJO has made its new Ruby and Sapphire guides available to the public at large in a printable single-sheet format for download. www.cibjo.org

New Gem Cutting Styles

How Optix® Facets Work. Check out the link www.byrex.com

Tungsten Rings

It’s a darker gray, and men like it because of its masculine look and feel. Tungsten is hard and doesn’t scratch easily, it’s user-friendly. Give it a try.

Zero Emissions Research Initiative

Gunter Pauli's Nature's 100 Best, a shortlist of one hundred technologies inspired by proven design systems from Nature was brilliant. A must read.

Useful links:
www.zeri.org
www.n100best.org

Olivia Judson Viewpoint

I completely agree. Since the techniques for extracting DNA and sequencing it have improved, I hope we would be able to expand our understanding of evolutionary patterns as an invaluable source of knowledge. Thanks Olivia.

Useful links:
http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com
www.drtatiana.com

Matt Held's Project

I really liked Matt Held's Platform Project Space. A brilliant idea indeed.

Useful links:
www.heldstudios.com
http://platform.denisebibrofineart.com

Environmentaland

Environmentaland is the brainchild of Global Inheritance, a non-profit that works to engage young people in bringing social and environmental change to their communities. Great concept.

Useful link:
www.globalinheritance.org

Global Business BBC

I love listening to Peter Day's Global Business. Listen to Learning Curve. The message is fresh, relevant and insightful.

Useful links:
www.bt.com
www.sun.com
www.bersin.com
http://daretoshare.wordpress.com
www.saba.com

Capturing The 19th Century

Rarely seen images from the British Library's collection was brilliant. Old is always gold. Check out the link www.bl.uk

Brecon Jazz Festival 2009

The 26th Brecon Jazz Festival is set to come alive to the sounds of jazz legends from across the world from August 7 - 9, 2009. Don't miss. www.breconjazz.org

The Curious Case Of Dina Wein Reis

The grifter, wrote David Maurer in his classic 1940 study of con men, 'has a gentle touch.' He takes his 'toll from the verdant sucker by means of the skilled hand or the sharp wit ... Of all the grifters, the confidence man is the aristocrat.' What's intriguing about Dina Wein Reiss was that she was so good, she was able to pull it off in a really cool way. She knew how to play the game. She took advantage of everyone in the distribution chain. The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff. Ambrose Bierce. What a story! Thanks to James/Doris.

Knowing Your Limits

Great post (May 20, 2007) by Victor Niederhoffer. At times it's hard to keep up with the rule of ever-changing cycles. As Clint Eastwood said, 'Man's got to know his limitations.' This holds true in business and life.

Vivid Pink Diamond

A rare, 5-carat pink diamond set in a so-called cushion-cut ring by famed jewellers Graff Diamonds will be sold in Hong Kong this December by Christies. I think this diamond is going to fetch a sweet price. Stay tuned.

There are pink diamonds and then there are pink diamonds. It is extremely rare for a stone of such top quality to appear on the market with top notes in color, cut, clarity and carat weight. This 5-carat vivid pink gem combines the best of all criteria.
- Francois Curiel, Christies

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.graffdiamonds.com

Bijoux Terner Necklace

This Bijoux Terner resin necklace was exquisite in its design. Beautiful and simple. Really. www.bijouxterner.com

Ron Arad: No Discipline

Ron Arad: No Discipline
August 2, 2009–October 19, 2009 @ www.moma.org

Ron Arad is one of the most influential designers of our time. I think his designs have the ability to communicate and connect the dots. A must visit. Really.

The Art + Fashion + Architecture Of Louis Vuitton

Extraordinary work of art/architecture indeed. I loved it. www.louisvuitton.com

Random Thoughts

Sixty years ago, my wife Sheila and I bought the house we live in to this day. We could not afford carpets or curtains but, more importantly for us, we had a few pictures for our walls. We have loved and cherished these wonderful pieces throughout the course of our lives but, in all truth, art belongs to no-one. Some of us are simply its temporary, fortunate and delighted custodians.

- Lord Richard Attenborough
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Attenborough

So true!

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Report

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has notified the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) + the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) that it will not take action against those who imported or sold irradiated gemstones in the United States before November 2007. The decision came as a result of the JVC and AGTA asking the NRC to exempt certain gemstones in light of the efforts the industry has made to comply with new laws surrounding irradiated gemstones. The JVC and AGTA have developed an easy-to-understand guide on the requirements of importing and selling irradiated gemstones in the United States, 'The Essential Guide to the Trade in Irradiated Gemstones.'

Useful links:
www.nrc.gov
www.jvclegal.org
www.agta.org

Watching People Look At Art

For me visiting museums has always been about total internal reflection. Slow looking helps to record memories and see them better. Thanks Michael for the insightful piece.

Useful link:
www.louvre.fr

Personal Scenario Planning

Peter Schwartz's tutorial on scenario planning was brilliant. A great guidepost. Really.

Useful links:
www.gbn.com
www.longnow.org

Julie & Julia

Every time Meryl Streep appears on screen, the film just glows. Really. Julie & Julia is comedy-drama film. Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell in writer-director Nora Ephron's adaptation of two bestselling memoirs. Go and watch the movie. www.julieandjulia.com

The American Time Use Survey

The American Time Use Survey was intriguing. Sleeping, eating, working and watching television took up about two-thirds of the average day. The New York Times interactive graphics was brilliant. I would really like to know how different groups in India would have spend their day.

Useful link:
www.bls.gov/tus

Extinction: Bad Genes Or Bad Luck?

Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck? by David M. Raup + Stephen Jay Gould is a delightful book on the history of life, extinction, and shows some interesting methods for sorting fact from fiction. A must read.

Useful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Raup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Jay_Gould

The Biofeul Trilema

The report on triple challenges of energy, environment and food as the biofuel 'trilemma' was interesting. It's an unending debate. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com
www.bio.org/worldcongress
www.icsu-scope.org