Aappaluttoq Ruby Project

Check out the latest development in Aappaluttoq Ruby Project in Greenland.

Useful links:
www.mth.com
www.truenorthgems.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim Even Zohar's viewpoint on legal rough diamond marketing issues confronting Debswana, Botswana Government, and the international rough dealers was educational and insightful.

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

Global Gem Hub

According to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, the government is moving ahead with plans to make Thailand the world's trading and manufacturing hub for gems and jewelry by 2013, and extend loans to operators over the next two weeks to improve their liquidity. According to Commerce Ministry statistics, Thailand exported gems and jewelry worth US$8.27 billion or about 274 billion baht last year, a rise of 53.7% from the year before. The sector was the country's third biggest export earner, behind computers and automobiles. Let's hope for the best. Really.

Useful links:
www.bangkokgemsfair.com
www.moc.go.th

How To Define Hits And Niches

The Wharton researchers viewpoints on the Long Tail effect was interesting. The key difference between the opinion of Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More and the study by Wharton researchers was how they defined hits and niches. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.netessine.com
www.longtail.com

Souren Melikian Viewpoint

It was interesting to know that European porcelain is one of those few areas of the art market still immune from financial speculation. Thanks to Souren for the insightful report.

Useful link:
www.bonhams.com

No Marketing Money

Check out Jessie Paul's ideas and thoughts in 'No Money Marketing'. www.jessiepaul.com

Lie To Me

Lie to Me, a compelling drama series, is based on the real work of Dr Paul Ekman and the real study of body language. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.fox.com/lietome
www.paulekman.com

Chad Hagen

I think Hagen's infographics provide a starting point for an immersive experience and it warrants real study.

Useful links:
www.chadhagen.com
www.20x200.com
www.mjt.org

Radical Innovation in Hospitality Awards 2009

Inspiring eco-friendly design concepts.

Useful links:
www.radicalinnovationinhospitality.com
www.hdboutique.com
www.pixelhotel.at
www.watg.com
www.hksinc.com
www.cagleyandtanner.com

Applied Materials

Thomas Friedman's article on Applied Materials operation was insightful. The world is on track to add another 2.5 billion people by 2050, and many will be aspiring to live American-like, high-energy lifestyles. In such a world, renewable energy — where the variable cost of your fuel, sun or wind, is zero — will be in huge demand. So true!

Useful link:
www.appliedmaterials.com

Astro Boy

Check out Imagi Studios creation, Astro Boy, a much beloved '60s Japanese anime series on the big screen on October 23, 2009.

Useful links:
www.astroboy-themovie.com
www.imagi.com.hk

Global Business BBC

Professor Simon Johnson's discussion with Peter Day on financial industry reform was educational and insightful. Let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Useful link:
http://baselinescenario.com

Ipsos Mendelsohn Report 2009

Ipsos Mendelsohn's annual report on the affluents in the U.S was interesting. As always good value for money becomes more important than price. They say old habits die hard.

Useful link:
www.ipsosmediact.com

Photoatlas Of Inclusions In Gemstones, Volume 3

The third and final installment of Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones a.k.a the gemstone inclusion bible is available now. A must have book for gemologists.

Useful link:
www.microworldofgems.com

New Languages Festival

Our idea is to have a few bands each night that might bring a cross-current of different listeners. It's not just a musical event. It's a party where people are listening intently.

- Aaron Ali Shaikh
www.newlanguages.org

Don't miss.

The Crimson Wing

The Crimson Wing is a beautiful movie about flamingos living on Lake Natron in Northern Tanzania. Don't miss.

Useful link:
http://disneynature.co.nz

The Capodimonte Museum

The Capodimonte is filled with masterpieces from the world famous Farnese Collection, some 800 paintings by such artists as Titian, Raphael, Masaccio and Mantegna. Caravaggio’s searing 'Flagellazione' stands out among the dramatic pictures in the Neapolitan Galleries. A must visit.

Useful link:
http://en.museo-capodimonte.it

A Perfect City

I pretty much agree with David Byrne's viewpoint. A perfect city isn't fixed, it doesn't actually exist. It's evolving and ever changing, and its laws and structure allow that to happen.

Useful link:
www.davidbyrne.com

Georgios Ignatiou

Georgiosi's honeycomb-like designed lamp made up of recycled copper rings was brilliant. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.georgiosi.com

Jim Reed

Jim Reed's extreme weather photography was stunningly beautiful. He is one-of-a-kind storm chaser.

Useful links:
www.jimreedphoto.com
www.corcoran.org

The September Issue

The documentary is on Vogue + Anna Wintour, British-American fashion editor and the editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. Fashion is an interesting + complex business. A must see documentary. www.arp.tv

Techcrunch50 2009

Techcrunch50 has become one of the prime spots for aspiring millionaires to launch their tech startups. Check out the link www.techcrunch50.com

Pantone Fashion Color Report 2009

New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty.

- Leatrice Eiseman
www.pantone.com
www.colorexpert.com

Spot on.

Rita Grosse-Ruyken

Rita Grosse-Ruyken's Rays of Light at the Museum für Angewandte Kunst was inspiring.

Useful links:
http://rita.grosse-ruyken.org
www.angewandtekunst-frankfurt.de

Middle East Film Conference

Check out the upcoming Circle Conference in Abu Dhabi, which is aimed at boosting the emirate's media industry.

Useful links:
www.film.gov.ae
www.thecircle.ae
www.meiff.com

The Museum Of Velvet Paintings

Take a peek at Caren Anderson/Carl Baldwin's marvelous collection of velvet paintings at Velveteria, the Museum of Velvet Paintings in Portland, Oregon, US.A. They have a connoisseur’s eye for this neglected art form. A must visit.

Useful link:
http://velveteria.com

Norman Borlaug

Norman Borlaug has died at his home in Dallas, Texas at the age of 95. Known around the world as the father of the Green Revolution, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work to stop world hunger. May his soul rest in peace.

Useful link:
www.normanborlaug.org

Merry

Merry's designs were cute and interesting. I liked it. www.merry.es

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Happy Trails. Bicyling to work. It was marvelous. Thanks Bill.

Richard Feynman's Caltech 1974 Commencement Address

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.
- Richard P. Feynman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman

His speech still rings true today.

Random Thoughts

We learned quickly that the most important predictor of success is determination. At first we thought it might be intelligence. Everyone likes to believe that's what makes startups succeed. It makes a better story that a company won because its founders were so smart. The PR people and reporters who spread such stories probably believe them themselves. But while it certainly helps to be smart, it's not the deciding factor. There are plenty of people as smart as Bill Gates who achieve nothing. In most domains, talent is overrated compared to determination—partly because it makes a better story, partly because it gives onlookers an excuse for being lazy, and partly because after a while determination starts to look like talent.

- Paul Graham
www.paulgraham.com

Spot on.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Boiling Point. It was simply wonderful. Thanks Bill.

Anish Kapoor At The Royal Academy

Where does my art happen? It's a good question. I like that. My art is elusive, intentionally so. There's no avoiding one's own psycho-biography, it's unavoidable. The question is, where does one put the emphasis? What interests one is what an object can do rather than what it can say.

- Anish Kapoor
www.anishkapoor.com
http://royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/anish-kapoor

Don't miss.

African Wildlife Photography

Nick Brandt's wildlife photography was brilliant. www.nickbrandt.com

Rapaport Diamond Conference 2009

The annual Rapaport International Diamond Conference (IDC), which took place on September 10, 2009 in New York City was educational and insightful. www.diamonds.net

Useful links:
http://www.diamonds.net/news/Files/Docs/2009/9/11/Des_Kilalea.pdf
http://www.diamonds.net/news/Files/Docs/2009/9/11/christopher-ellis.pdf
http://www.diamonds.net/news/Files/Docs/2009/9/11/Rob_Broedelet.pdf
http://www.diamonds.net/news/Files/Docs/2009/9/11/Venkat.pdf
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2136022
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=27950
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2137687
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=27949
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2137800
http://www.diamonds.net/news/Files/Docs/2009/9/11/Hertz_Hasenfeld.pdf
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2137800
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=27951
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2137800

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Interesting wine review. Thanks Jancis.

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson
www.r-w.co.uk

British Art Fair 2009

In a recession collectors are reluctant to take risks on unproven or challenging artists, and seek the reassurance of big names, works by the established icons of 20th-century British art. So exhibitors at the fair are playing safe. Spot on. As always dealers will be very keen to – well – deal.

Useful link:
www.britishartfair.co.uk

Random Thoughts

The only way to figure out how much you can spend is to know how much money you actually have.

- Marcia Tillotson
www.wellsfargoadvisors.com

Spot on.

Toothpick City

Stan Munro's Toothpick City was a brilliant work of art. Stunningly beautiful, really.

No Impact Man

Hats off to Colin Beavan. I really liked the project. Fast-life vs Slow-life movement. Living in the moment. Awareness. We're in a gigantic crisis, a difficult one. No doubt about it. The question is whether we have the collective will. Are we doing anything about it?

Useful link:
http://noimpactman.typepad.com

Pioneers Of Change

A festival of Dutch design, fashion and architecture on New York's Governors Island is to celebrate 400 years of Dutch-American friendship. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.pioneersofchange.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Buttoned-Down. Fashion always mirrors the time we are in. Bill was spot on.

Fabergé's New Jewelry Line

Faberge is relaunching its first high-jewelry collection since 1917. The pieces will be sold via an online flagship store, Faberge.com

Useful link:
www.pallinghurst.com

Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council Report

JCOC's research study of today's Internet jewelry consumer was interesting.

Useful link:
http://jcoc.info

Heard On The Street

I'm fascinated by financial bubbles and crashes. They have all the theatrical elements: stupidity, enthusiasm, greed, madness, drama, fear, despair, and deception.

Diamond Of Jeru

Louis L'Amour wrote many adventure stories of faraway lands. I think The Diamond of Jeru is one of the best. It's an adventure story in Borneo in search of diamonds.

Useful link:
www.louislamour.com

Tejo Remy

Tejo Remy's rag chair made from bags of recycled rags was brilliant. Art + design. I really liked it.

Useful link:

www.remyveenhuizen.nl

Random Thoughts

In a bull market, one must avoid the error of the preening duck that quacks boastfully after a torrential rainstorm, thinking that its paddling skills have caused it to rise in the world. A right-thinking duck would instead compare its position after the downpour to that of the other ducks on the pond.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on.

Butterfly World Project

I love butterflies. Butterflies are also barometers for our environment. I have also learned a lot about colors watching butteflies. Hats off to Clive Farrell for building the world’s largest butterfly dome in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Someday I would like visit the dome to learn more.

Useful link:
www.butterfly-world.org

Jadeite And Ruby Reminder When Traveling

Please be aware of the restrictions now in place if traveling with your jadeite or ruby jewelry as found in the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act. Rubies and jadeite of non-Burmese origin are not restricted, but questions may arise upon re-entry to the U.S. from abroad.

Useful links:
www.agta.org
www.uscib.org

Creation

Creation tells the story of how Charles Darwin wrote his seminal work The Origin of Species - and familial issues.

Useful links:
http://creationthemovie.com
www.tiff.net
www.hanwayfilms.com

Crude

Joe Berlinger’s 'Crude,' is a new documentary on the terrible cost of extracting oil. The documentary also investigates local issues like cancer, contaminated water, and cultural degradation. A must see documentary.

Useful link:
www.crudethemovie.com

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