Enough

Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life by John C. Bogle provides brilliant insights on money and values that we should treasure in busines and life. A must read.

Useful links:

http://johncbogle.com/wordpress

www.vanguard.com

Environmental Photographer 2009

Bolucevschi Vitali's picture was stunningly beautiful.

Useful link:
www.ciwem.org

Human Enhancement

Nick Bostrom's views on human enhancement — a term that is growing to include genetic, pharmaceutical and technological ways to improve our physical and mental abilities and even dramatically extend human life was interesting. If done correctly, maybe it's a good idea.

Useful links:
www.nickbostrom.com
www.fhi.ox.ac.uk
http://royalsociety.org

Shane Acker

Technology has come down to the consumer level where people can create these animations in their basements or spare bedrooms.

- Shane Acker
www.shaneacker.com

So true. Brilliant visuals. I liked it. Hats off to Shane!

Nanosolar

Competition drives innovation and cost reductions. It was interesting to learn that Nanosolar Utility Panel™ Technology has commenced its serial production. I hope the cost-efficient solar panels actually works.

Useful links:
www.nanosolar.com
www.nrel.gov

Robert Goodin's Comic Books

Robert Goodin's blog was interesting.

Useful links:
www.robertgoodin.com
http://coveredblog.blogspot.com

How To Give New Jewelry For Less

I thought Lisa Brooks-Pike's methodology was brilliant: giving the new for less. Sell only what you love or respect. It does makes sense.

Useful links:
www.stuller.com
www.colorfirst.com
www.gemni-gems.com

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Entrepreneurs by their nature are not exactly clubbable types – they tend to be independent-minded loners, who set out to build a world of their own, apart from the crowd. Yet they are also mostly extroverts, who need regularly to socialise and swap business cards. So true. You were spot on. At the end of the day, it's all about attitude, not your bank balance or turnover.

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

Big River Man

Martin Strel's documentary film, Big River Man, chronicling his swim (3300 miles of the Amazon River) was educational and inspiring. Hats off to Martin!

Useful links:
www.martinstrel.com
www.amazonswim.com
http://bigriverman.com

Alternative Energy Cost Comparisons

Try a new online tool via National Renewable Energy Laboratory (In My Backyard (IMBY). The costs to install renewable energy systems could vary greatly by location.

Useful link:
www.nrel.gov

One Good Chair Competition

Make designs open source. Anyone should be able to make it. Design globally. Manufacture locally. It's fascinating to ponder how far it could go.

Useful link:
www.onegoodchair.com

Patient-centered Design

I thought Astorino's design process in the new Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh was brilliant. I liked the concept. I also think facilitating healing through design makes sense. When you are open to listening to what the other side has to say it becomes a transformational experience.

Useful links:
www.astorino.com
www.gofathom.com
http://discoverdesignbuild.com
www.givetochildrens.org

How To Start A Bank

Peter Day's global business episode always provides unique insights into the business world. Thanks Peter.

Useful links:
www.csfi.org.uk
www.grameenfoundation.org
www.neweconomics.org
www.fairbanking.org.uk
www.essex.gov.uk
http://uk.zopa.com

A Rare Necklace

An important 19th century emerald and seed-pearl Necklace from the Lahore Treasury, reputedly worn by Maharani Jindan Kaur wife of Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (1780–1839), is for sale in Bonhams next Indian and Islamic sale on 8th October 2009 in New Bond Street. This is an interesting piece of history.

Useful link:
www.bonhams.com

The Threadneedle Prize 2009

One of the best in contemporary painting and sculpture. The winner, from the judge’s shortlist of seven, will be decided by public vote and announced on September 14, 2009.

Useful link:
www.threadneedleprize.com

The Hywind Project

It was really interesting to watch experts apply known technology from the oil and gas industry in a completely new setting in a new industry.

Useful link:
www.statoilhydro.com

Global Volunteers

Volunteer vacations are interesting. You learn more about various cultures and help people in a deeper way than just buying their souvenirs. I think it's a unique adventure that can't be simulated.

To learn more visit www.globalvolunteers.org

The Beatles: Rock Band

I thought The Beatles Rock Band provided one of the most sociable gaming experiences ever. www.thebeatlesrockband.com

That's Why We Don't Eat Animals

I thought Ruby Roth's That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians and All Living Things was brilliant. The book deals with the plight of animals raised for food, factory farms and environmental issues, as well as information on the rainforest and endangered animals. A must read.

Useful link:
www.wedonteatanimals.com

Assembling Bodies

Tall or short, large or small - the human body comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and that is perhaps why it has been interpreted in so many different ways. Take a tour with Anita Herle, Senior Curator for Anthropology, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge University. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8224706.stm

The CarbFix Project

A pilot project called CarbFix was interesting. The experts are testing new ways to get rid of carbon dioxide. I hope it goes well.

Useful links:
www.or.is
www.rei.is
www.ldeo.columbia.edu
www.cnrs.fr

Stitches

A unique graphic memoir. David Small is telling it as it is.

Useful link:
http://davidsmallbooks.com

Kickstarter

A unique funding platform to raise money that captures the imagination of Internet users. Check out the link www.kickstarter.com

Reason To Believe

I thought the artwork Reason to Believe by Ronald Kodritsch was brilliant. The crowd of people wondering if the smart businessman clutching a briefcase will jump off the edge of a four-storey building in central Vienna was also a brilliant portrayal of people's state of mind. Hats off to Ronald!

Useful link:

www.kodritsch.com

Random Thoughts

About 70% of the fresh water in the world is related to agriculture. There could be more wars fought over water than over oil in this century. It may be the ultimate scarce resource. There are alternatives to oil for energy. There's no real alternative to fresh water. When that much water is going into agriculture, who better to work on the subject than us? So we are building John Deere water technologies; John Deere renewables, with our wind-power investments; John Deere landscapes; and mobile information technologies.

- Robert W. Lane
www.deere.com

So true!

George Gershwin

George Gershwin: An Intimate Portrait by Walter Rimler is a fascinating book about Gershwin's character and the twists in his fortunes. I am a huge fan of George Gershwin's work.

Useful link:
www.gershwin.com

DTC Botswana Update

Check out the new, easy to navigate DTC Botswana website, the largest diamond sorting and valuing facility in the world. www.dtcbotswana.com

Super Diamonds

Naked Science examines the history of diamonds, and sheds light on how they may change the future. Don't miss the program (National Geographic Channel, September 7, 2009).

The Campaign For Drawing

Ruskin would probably say that drawing makes you really look at things in a way that you wouldn't otherwise, and that is absolutely right. Why I also think that it is worth at least starting to draw is that you might enjoy it, and if you enjoyed it at least half as much as I have, you would be on to a good thing. A sort of revelation to me with the Campaign for Drawing was that a lot of the time you didn't have to encourage people to draw; it was sufficient to tell them they are allowed to do it, and off they go.

- Quentin Blake
www.quentinblake.com

So true!

Useful link:
www.campaignfordrawing.org

The Manhattan Couture Collection

The tale behind New York’s 11 iconic jewelry masterpieces was inspiring. Manhattan collection of jewelry comprises of both a Museum Collection and a Couture Collection. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.jewelry.com

British Library Sound Archive

The British Library has made 28,000 rare recordings available free online. The British Library Sound Archive is one of the largest sound archives in the world and holds over one million discs and 200,000 tapes. http://sounds.bl.uk

Kenya's Gem Trade

BBC Swahili service's Kenneth Mungai report about the dark underside of Kenya's precious stones trade was true. Gem mining/trading is for the thick-skinned only. You often pay a heavy price for everything.

Art Market Update

Souren Milikian's report in the New York Times on the state of the art market was spot on. Far from sagging, prices have held up during the recession. New auction records were set throughout the first half of 2009. So, newcomers might conclude, here is the dream area for investors. Sadly, there is a snag. If investment means spending cash in the hope of making a profit on the basis of careful calculation, using objective data and dependable measuring instruments, then investment is the wrong word. There are no identical units in art, because no two works are ever absolutely similar, making exact calculation impossible. So true! May be gem dealers should read the special report on investment in art (The Treacherous Lure of the Art Market, September 4, 2009, NYT).

How We Die

How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland is an insightful book about the human encounter of the dying process. Modern life is so clean and orderly, people expect to die with dignity. This may be wishful thinking. He addresses honestly mankind's greatest fear. A must read.

Open Video

Open video could be the next great wave in web innovation. David Talbot's opinion piece in Technology Review was insightful. Thanks David.

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

The AltaTech Viticulture business model was interesting. It's an intriguing story: turning California dirt into dollars via wine. Thanks Jancis.

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.altatechviticulture.com

Voice-Color Project

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's (Levels of Nothingness) interactive installation will allow people to speak into a microphone connected to a computer that can match their voices' traits, such as pitch and tone, to certain colors. It's on September 16, 2009 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.guggenheim.org
www.lozano-hemmer.com

Cirque du Soleil

Kelly Nestruck's viewpoints on the spectacular rise of Cirque du Soleil was interesting. In my view, they are simply innovative, period.

Useful link:
www.cirquedusoleil.com

Pestival

Two experts talk about the art and mystery of tiny creatures. It was really inspiring and educational.

Useful link:
http://pestival.org

Jewelry Market

Souren Milikian's opinion piece in the New York Times made a brilliant point. The sheer pleasure taken in gazing at beautiful stones is the secret weapon that allows the jewelry market to triumph at every level. And the fact that so many buyers find it possible up and down the financial ladder to succumb to the attraction without going bankrupt suggests that the recession, devastating though it is to some, leaves essentially intact countless private fortunes, from very large to relatively small. When the glitter of a jewel makes it hard to resist temptation, money suddenly becomes available. There might be a lesson here for those who are in charge of the broader economy. So true! Thanks Souren.

Heard On The Street

Gem business is very much a people business. I need to touch and smell and feel what’s going on.

New Consumerism

I found Timothy de Waal Malefyt's (Director of cultural discoveries, BBDO) research on new consumerism in urban America intriguing. It's really amazing how new oral stories develop during recession. People are the same everywhere.

Useful links:
www.aaanet.org
www.bbdo.com/worldwide
http://www.epic2009.com/files/proceedings/EPIC2009%20DRAFT%20proceedings.pdf

Art News Update

Ann Landi's article on Van Gogh’s ear, the rise to theories, pranks, merchandise, and a host of references in culture high and low was interesting. I think Van Gogh has been in spotlight so long the so-called inspiring pranks won't go away.

Either way, in the decades since van Gogh’s suicide, in 1890, that ear has taken on a life of its own—from the lowbrow to the literary—inspiring pranks, merchandise, movies, music, album covers, stories, plays, and even YouTube videos. A Google search of “Vincent van Gogh ear” pulled up a staggering 96,900 references, ranging from a restaurant in Union, New Jersey, called Van Gogh’s Ear Café to New York Times columnist Deborah Solomon’s discovery of what she called, in 2000, “a mass-produced souvenir of artistic torment: a curvy, pinkish rubber objet described with typical eBay poetry as ‘Van Gogh’s Ear—squish it, squeeze it!’

Useful link:
www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

New images from NASA's ongoing study of Mars via Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was stunningly beautiful. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro

World’s First Landfill-fuelled Hydrogen Station

South Korea is to build the world’s first hydrogen station to develop the gas from natural biogases emitted by landfill. It's really amazing to see South Korea gradually transform itself from a petroleum-based economy to one that provides cutting-edge sources of energy.

Useful links:
www.skec.com
http://eng.skenergy.com
http://hangang.seoul.go.kr
http://worldcuppark.seoul.go.kr

Random Thoughts

This will be a first artistic production being conducted from space to Earth. I'm an artistic person and a creator. I'm not a scientific. I'm not an engineer. Life has given me some qualities, some assets and I have built up a team of very creative people around the world. With those people I think we'll present something that is originally creative and hopefully will have the result of sensitising people toward the situation of water in the world.

- Guy Laliberte
www.cirquedusoleil.com
www.onedrop.org
www.spaceadventures.com

Spot on.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaims views on diamonds as investments was interesting. The theory is the absence of new major mine discoveries will lead to a dwindling of new diamond supplies. The investors believe there is no way they can lose out under these circumstances. Only time will tell.

Useful links:
www.oecd.org
www.diamondintelligence.com

Contemporary Art From Pakistan

Randy Kennedy's viewpoint on the state of the art market in Pakistan was interesting.

The contemporary artist symbolizes a strong hope for Pakistan. Those who gain a foothold in the international art discourse serve as a conduit, inviting a chance to dialogue with those inside — a conversation that may startle, beguile, enlighten and hopefully enrich.
- Salima Hashmi

Useful links:
www.asiasociety.org
www.nca.edu.pk
www.hamraabbas.com

World's Coral Reefs

Global warming has all but sealed the fate of the world's coral reefs. Follow Guardian's interactive guide of reefs to see before they die. It's educational and insightful.

Useful links:
www.coral.org
http://coralreef.noaa.gov

Knowledge@Wharton Update

Global teams are like oceans: Depending on how they are navigated, they can link the world together or split it apart. When global teams work, they tap into a company's top talent, exploit local expertise, unite far-flung groups and ramp up worldwide production. When they don't, they are divisive, spark massive miscommunication and drive global projects into the ground.

A few ideas and suggestions:
- Try to meet at least once face-to-face.
- Choose team members carefully.
- Keep the team small if possible.
- Consider cross-cultural training.
- Be explicit upfront about how the team will operate.
- Be conscious of time.
- Consider how the team is organized.
- Don't overload team members.
- Give the team autonomy.

Spot on. Thanks Wharton.

Land Art Generator

The infographics via Land Art Generator Initiative was brilliant. They believe 496,905 square kilometers are needed to power the world with solar energy. Click to learn more www.landartgenerator.org

Pa++ern

I found Pa++ern artist's tweet-to-shirt process intriguing. They use Twitter to encode messages, which they then print onto T-shirts. Brilliant. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.rzm-dev.com/pattern

The Post-Cartel Diamond World

Rob Bates was spot on. Today De Beers is in the business of self-preservation, like everyone else. The company may have changed in stature, but still it remains an important player in the industry.

The Venice Film Festival 2009

The Venice Film Festival 2009 has begun. www.labiennale.org

The Burning Man Project 2009

One-of-a-kind art installations can be observed in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. The annual event opened on August 31 and ends September 7, 2009. www.burningman.com

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Luke was spot on. I think we need inventors more than ever if we are to improve the world.

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk
www.channel4.com
www.w3.org
www.flashofgenius.net
www.dyson.com

Oliver Herring

Hilarie M. Sheets wrote a great review about Oliver Herring's artworks. The photosculptures at Max Protetch was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.maxprotetch.com

Heard On The Street

In gem trading you have two opponents, one is Mr Market and the other one yourself.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's report from Bolivia about the riches from its recently discovered vast lithium resources was interesting. The government is building a pilot plant to learn how to get the lithium out of these salt flats, and then how to evaporate the brine and separate the precious metal from the salt. I hope the government will do the right thing for the people of Bolivia.

Useful link:
www.evaporiticosbolivia.org

Mouth Painter

Meet Keith Jansz who works out of his studio at home in Buckinghamshire. He will show some of his paintings at City Hall, in London, along with other members of the MFPA. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.keithjansz.com
www.mfpa.co.uk

Scott Musgrove

Scott Musgrove's portrait gallery of extinct animals, fish and birds were stunningly beautiful. Have a look. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.scottmusgrove.com
www.scottmusgrove.blogspot.com

Blue Nile

Blue Nile's redesigned website looks innovative with advanced search capabilities and expanded product details. I liked it. www.bluenile.com

Jeff Scher Project

Jeff Scher's Summer Retreat was brilliant. A big thank you.

Useful link:
http://fezfilms.net

PaleoAngola Project

In the past, most people who went to Angola were searching for oil, diamonds or landmines. Now, the country is also proving a big draw for fossil hunters - known in the scientific community as palaeontologists - who have described Angola as a 'museum in the ground'. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.paleoangola.org

Hermitage Museum

Sophia Kishkovsky's report on Greater Hermitage Project was educational and insightful.

Useful link:
www.hermitagemuseum.org

A New Black Gold

I found the biochar project interesting. Wastes from from agriculture and fishing are turned into charcoal by roasting it in a low-oxygen atmosphere. The process turns waste into raw carbon, which can then be used to fertilise the soil. If the trials work out, life becomes sweet for Craig Sams, the founder of Carbon Gold. All the best Mr Sams.

Useful link:
www.carbon-gold.com

Paju Book City

South Korea’s Paju Book City is an ambitious new town based exclusively around publishing. The project was initiated by publisher Yi Ki-Ung, whose ambition extended to creating a city of books that would also become a kind of museum of architecture: Paju features buildings by some of the finest architects working in the world today. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.pajubookcity.org

Random Thoughts

When people ask me about work/life balance, I just laugh. But I try to be time-efficient by scheduling meetings in appropriate increments --15 minutes or less sometimes. I've also tried to build a culture that understands writing brief e-mails is not emotional coldness.

- Reid Hoffman
www.linkedin.com

It's good to be brief, really.

Christien Meindertsma

I thought Christien's PIG 05049 project was absolutely brilliant. Her design includes the publication of her book, PIG 05049, which charts and pictures each of the products supported by the animal. Really amazing.

Useful link:
www.christienmeindertsma.com

The INDEX Awards 2009

The 2009 recipients were just announced. www.indexaward.dk

South African Wine

As with fine wine in France or Italy, the trick is to buy at source, really.

Useful links:
www.sowetowinefestival.co.za
www.capewinemakersguild.com
www.winecellar.co.za
http://carolineswine.com

Chocolates Were A Smuggler's Best Friend

The newly-released MI5 files reveal that diamonds and pearls looted by the Bolsheviks from Tsar Nicholas II were hidden in hollowed-out chocolate creams and smuggled into Britain to fund a revolutionary communist newspaper. What a story!

Useful link:
www.mi5.gov.uk

The Future Arrived Yesterday

The Future Arrived Yesterday: The Rise of the Protean Corporation and What It Means for You by Michael Malone is a brilliant book about growing/modifying virtualization of the workplace + the new thinking: its application + the impact in the global marketplace.

Random Thoughts

Here's the spectrum: Over here, markets are hyperefficient. Every piece of information is known and immediately embedded in market prices within seconds. Over on the other end, here's a market that's totally crazy. Prices bear no relation to value or anything. We all agree the market isn't over here, and it isn’t over there, and the thing we need to talk about is, where is it?

- Bill Sharpe
www.appliancestudio.com

Spot on.

Patrick Blanc

I would really like to see Patrick Blanc's designs everywhere. It's stunningly beautiful green and functional. Brilliant. I loved it.

Useful link:
www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com

Creative Water Solutions

I was really intrigued by Creative Water Solutions, a start-up that has developed a moss-based pool treatment system. I think it's a brilliant idea.

Useful link:
www.cwsnaturally.com

Borghese Collection

Souren Milikian's viewpoint on Marie-Lou Fabréga-Dubert's, 'La Collection Borghese au Musée Napoléon,' published under the joint imprint of the Musée du Louvre Editions and Beaux-Art de Paris, les éditions was interesting. Each period redefines the past to suit its vision. So true!

Useful links:
www.louvre.fr
www.ensba.fr

Is The Kimberley Process Still Working?

Listen to interesting viewpoints on the Kimberley Process.

Useful links:
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.globalwitness.org

Stuller Collections

Check out the new titles from Stuller: The Findings Collection, Vol. 74; The Metals Book, Vol. 76; The Finished Jewelry Collection, Vol. 78; and The Diamond and Gemstone Book, Vol. 72. www.stuller.com

Random Thoughts

Avalokiteshvara is sometimes depicted holding a blooming lotus — a symbol of spiritual purity. It comes up from the mud, flowers, and remains untouched by the dirt that surrounded it. You could say the same thing for the wonderful richness of Buddhist art.

- John Clarke
www.vam.ac.uk

Spot on.

Borrowing Brilliance

Borrowing Brilliance by David Kord Murray is an entertaining, easy-to-read book about innovation. The book has useful advice on how to do the right thing. Give it a try.

Useful link:

www.borrowingbrilliance.com

Letters from A Self-Made Merchant To His Son

Letters from A Self-Made Merchant to His Son by George Lorimer is a great book that teaches business technique and survival + it's also about a father's relationship with his son. A must read.

Charles Saatchi

Charles Saatchi interview with the Guardian was extraordinarily brilliant. One great insight, really.

Art is no investment unless you get very, very lucky, and can beat the professionals at their game. Just buy something you really like that will give you a thousand pounds' worth of pleasure over the years. And take your time looking for something really special, because looking is half the fun.
- Charles Saatchi

Useful links:
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
www.artoholic.com

Torpedo Factory

The Torpedo Factory is a great place to visit. Artists work in a variety of media, including painting, fibre, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass and photography.

Useful links:
www.torpedofactory.org
www.multipleexposuresgallery.com

Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival 2009

Check out the must-see up-and-coming artists at this year’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco. www.sfoutsidelands.com

Random Thoughts

The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite. Life is not an illogicality; yet it is a trap for logicians. It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is; its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait.

- G. K. Chesterton

So true!

David Stevenson Viewpoint

Diamonds are (may be) a guy’s best friend. David's opinion piece in the Financial Times was interesting. I have always been intrigued by emotional assets and their long-term returns. Whether it turns out to be correct over the long-term only time will tell, but his points were certainly worth pondering.

Useful links:
www.diapasoncm.com
www.emotionalassets.com

Shopportunity

Shopportunity!: How to Be a Retail Revolutionary by Kate Newlin makes you want to be a different shopper. A must read.

Useful link:

www.katenewlinconsulting.com

The Great Look Up

The Great Look Up has been created to do one thing; get people to look up at the stars. Just do it.

Mural Arts Program

Fluxspace = A great place for an immersive experience. Thanks, Randy. Nice article.

Useful links:
www.muralarts.org
www.fabricworkshop.org

Moon Rock Imitation

A treasured piece at the Dutch national museum, a supposed moon rock from the first manned lunar landing has been identified by the experts as petrified wood. What a story! How could this have happened?

It's a good story, with some questions that are still unanswered. We can laugh about it.
- Xandra van Gelder, Rijksmuseum

Useful links:
www.rijksmuseum.nl
www.nasa.gov

Treasures Of The Earth

Treasures of the Earth by Saleem H. Ali links human wants and needs by providing a natural history of consumption and materialism with scientific detail and humanistic nuance. A must read.

Useful link:

www.uvm.edu/~shali

Maira Kalman Viewpoint

Maira's work was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.

Useful links:
http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com
www.mairakalman.com

Jeff Koons Viewpoint

Peter Aspden's interview with Jeff Koons was interesting. A truly idea person.

Once you are born, you are already participating in time. You have to become aware of your own mortality. It’s a great time to be alive.
- Jeff Koons
www.jeffkoons.com

The Road: The Movie

The book and the movie tell a powerfully simple story about a man and boy walking through the ashy remains of a desolate world, just trying to stay alive. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.theroad-movie.com

Watermelon Juice For Ethanol

A new study published in Biotechnology for Biofuels reports that waste watermelons could provide the raw material to be fermented into ethanol. Who would have thought watermelons would be a ready source of feedstock to make ethanol? We are living in interesting times.

Useful link:
www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com

Recycle Lacma

Recycle Lacma is Robert Fontenot's take on the practice of deaccessioning. I thought it was interesting.

Useful links:
http://recyclelacma.blogspot.com
www.lacma.org
www.aam-us.org
www.elizabethdeegallery.com
www.artleak.org

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

I thought Chaim's views on ABN AMRO Bank/International Diamond and Jewelry Group (ID&JG) restructuring was educational and insightful. How do they affect the diamond industry? Only time will tell.

Useful links:
http://idjg.abnamro.com
www.diamondintelligence.com

Art Conservation

Brilliant work. It's really amazing to see X-ray probes, ultraviolet scans, infrared reflectograms and molecular spectroscopy in use to preserve world's masterworks.

This specialization is a real rarity. It is in a curious spot between science, artisan skills and artistry, requiring very complicated judgment and knowledge from lots of different fields. That's why there are so few experts.
- George Bisacca, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Useful links:
www.getty.edu/conservation
www.caltech.edu

Late Heavy Bombardment

Interesting theory. No one knows what caused the bombardment. Nothing like it has happened since. That's what the experts say. Stay tuned.

It is literally a revolution in our ideas about how our solar system evolved. It could be that our form of life today -- every living thing that we see today -- is due to this bombardment that happened 3.9 billion years ago.
- William Bottke, Southwest Research Institute

Useful links:
www.arc.nasa.gov
www.oca.eu
www.swri.org
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov