Oscar 2010 Winners

Oscars 2010: As It Happens. http://oscar.go.com

Worldchanging

World changing observations. Innovative solutions. Improving quality of life. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.worldchanging.com
www.pecha-kucha.org

No One Would Listen

No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller by Harry Markopolos is a fascinating/enlightening book about his investigation into Bernie Madoff's $65 billion fraud. A must read.

Useful link:
http://lp.wileypub.com/markopolos

Random Thoughts

A business adviser told me, Take a leap of faith, and you’ll see you’re more knowledgeable than you think. I think other people can do it, too.

- Cinde J. Dolphin
www.marketingformavericks.com
www.zin.com

Inspiring note, really.

Takeshi Kitano

A selection of Kitano's paintings is on display at Paris' Fondation Cartier. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.kitanotakeshi.com
http://fondation.cartier.com

Tech Know

Interactive creativity. I really liked the idea. It is all about curiosity, creativity and innovation.

That's what makes science great, and technology great and art great. It's about playing with ideas. You try a few things out and see what happens, then try more and more and you come up with something that is genius.
- Dr Mick Grierson

Useful links:
http://doc.gold.ac.uk/~mus02mg
www.erase.net
http://sites.google.com/site/skediomata
http://fredericfolleymarie.com
www.aikon-gold.com

You 2.0

You can always reinvent yourself. I enjoyed the article. Many thanks to Michael Noer and Nicole Perlroth for sharing brilliant stories.

Solar

A satiral novel on climate change by Ian McEwan. www.ianmcewan.com

Open Forum

Idea hub. Check it out. www.openforum.com

iF Design Awards 2010

Check out the winners of most prestigious design award (Europe) at www.ifdesign.de

The South by Southwest 2010

The South by Southwest = Conferences & Festivals + unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. SXSWeek 2010: March 12-21. Don't miss.

Useful link:
http://sxsw.com

Lists: To-dos

Lists: To-dos, Illustrated Inventories, Collected Thoughts and Other Artists' Enumerations from the Archives of American Art runs until September 2010, at the Lawrence A Fleischman Gallery, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. A must visit.

This very mundane and ubiquitous form of documentation can tell you a great deal about somebody's personal biography, where they've been and where they're going. People can relate to this form of documentation because so many people are list keepers and organise their lives this way.
- Liza Kirwin

Useful link:
www.aaa.si.edu/exhibits

The GIA Gem Project

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has launched a project comprised of data collected from gemstones in the Edward J. Gübelin collection, which the institute acquired in 2005. The GIA Gem Project is free to the trade and available online for the general public. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.gia.edu/research-resources/gia-gem-database
www.gubelinlab.com

Mid-August Lunch

A film by Gianni Di Gregorio. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.zeitgeistfilms.com/midaugustlunch
www.filmforum.org

Random Thoughts

The job of CEO's is now to regain America's trust-and for the country's sake it's important that they do so. They will not succeed in this endeavor, however, by way of fatuous ads, meaningless policy statements, structural changes of boards and committees. Instead, CEO's must embrace stewardship as a way of life and treat owners as partners, not patsies. It's time for CEO's to walk the walk.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on.

Rodrigo Almeida

Rodrigo Almeida's design is different. www.rodrigoalmeidadesign.com

Macoto Murayama

Macoto Murayama's botanical illustrations were brilliant. I really liked it. Many thanks to Sonia Zjawinski for sharing the info.

There’s an overwhelming charm in the detailed drawings of both plants and machines. Machines have an organic side, while plants have a mechanical side.
- Macoto Murayama

Useful link:
http://macotomurayama.blog62.fc2.com

So true.

Edgar Degas Controversy

William D. Cohan's viewpoints in ARTnews about the authenticity of 74 recently discovered plaster casts of Degas sculptures and the actors/experts in the intriguing drama was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://degassculptureproject.com
www.metmuseum.org
www.clarkart.edu
www.nga.gov
www.mfa.org
www.appraisersassoc.org
www.collegeart.org
www.macedonian-heritage.gr
www.herakleidon-art.gr
www.tamuseum.com
www.hirschlandadler.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim Even Zohar was spot on. Diamonds are easily removable and hard to recover product. Many thanks for sharing the info about Roman Rozzen from Rikko Company. Diamonds don't cheat; it's the people who cheat all the time, period.

Identity theft is a far greater problem. In the United States, the second-largest group of filings of Suspicious Activities Reports has to do with identity theft. According to research data, there were 10 million victims of identity theft in 2008 in the U.S. alone. Actually, one out of every 10 U.S. consumers has already been victimized. Some 1.6 million households have seen their bank accounts, credit or debit cards being compromised. Half of the victims discover within three months that someone else is using their name or identity. In 20 percent of the cases, the victims don’t’ learn that their identity has been stolen for four or more years – and the damage can be awesome. But the scariest part of this whole identity-theft problem, according to a 2004 study, is that “it can take up to 5,840 hours (which is the equivalent of working a full-time job for two years) to correct the damage from identity theft depending on the severity of the case. The average victim spends 330 hours repairing the damage.”
- Chaim Even Zohar

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.dmia.net

Jaume Plensa

Hilarie M. Sheets's viewpoints in ARTnews about Jaume Plensa was educational and insightful. I enjoyed it. Many thanks.

On the day of the opening, the people put on a parade, with an orchestra playing, that ended up at the head like it was a divinity. I'm from the Mediterranean and I can understand that in my culture, but I never expected that in England—or in Chicago. People get crazy. For me it's nice, because you see that humanity needs very similar things. You have to offer possibilities and then they react.
- Jaume Plensa

Useful links:
www.jaumeplensa.com
www.millenniumpark.org
www.artic.edu
www.galerielelong.com
www.richardgraygallery.com
www.nashersculpturecenter.org

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Luke Johnson was spot on. Experience will teach each of us when to follow our innate judgment, and when to call for more technical back-up. Period.

When I have been considering whether to buy a company and what price to offer, I have been blinded too often by reams of due diligence from the accountants and lawyers. Usually it pays to stand back from such mountains of grey data and weigh up the really important issues – and decide how you feel about the opportunity. It can be fatal to let small negative matters put you off an acquisition that you know in your heart is a wonderful deal. It might mean you spend your life dreaming about the brilliant chances you missed because you let overcautious advisers frighten you. Never allow quantitative drawbacks to defeat overwhelming qualitative arguments.
- Luke Johnson

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

Joris Laarman Lab

Check out Joris Laarman's latest work at www.jorislaarman.com

Magic Show

Magic Show explores the relationship between art and magic. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
www.grundyartgallery.com
www.tulliehouse.co.uk
www.chapter.org
www.pumphousegallery.org.uk

Art Market Update

The Economist report on global art market + China’s art market was educational and insightful. I think China’s auction market is likely to grow considerably despite the short lifespan of many Chinese auction houses/fakes and forgeries + the dubious auction laws in China. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.artseconomics.com
www.tefaf.com
www.christies.com
www.forever-christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.polypm.com.cn
www.cguardian.com

Gen BuY

One-of-a-kind book on Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings. A must read.

Useful link:
www.genbuy.net

Barton Perriera

Jeweled Collections. One-of-a-kind. Check it out. www.bartonperreira.com

Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913–1917

Hilarie M. Sheets's viewpoints in ARTnews about the greatest pictures of Henri Matisse was educational and insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.artic.edu
www.moma.org
www.musee-matisse-nice.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Matisse

Luxury Industry + Art

Check out the FT report on luxury + art at www.howtospendit.com

Jewelry In 2010 And Beyond

Check out IdexOnline's global report for jewelry in 2010 and beyond.

The U.S. economy is showing vitality, after significant weakness over the past year. Three key factors are having a positive impact on the U.S. economic recovery:
- The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve threw all of their defenses and stimuli at the recession early in the economic decline, long before other nations implemented recovery plans.
- The U.S. economy is far more resilient than most people understand. History confirms that U.S. recessions over the past 50 years are less frequent and not as volatile as in the prior periods since economists began tracking the economy in the late 1700s.
- The Federal Reserve has engineered the stimuli to put the U.S. economy back on track. If there is one thing to be learned from history, it is this: don’t bet against the Fed. The Fed may not be perfect, but overall its success record is enviable.

Useful links:
www.idexonline.com
www.commerce.gov

Spot on. Many thanks.

Sarin's Galaxy™ 1000

Sarin's new Galaxy™ 1000 accurately, quickly, and automatically detects and maps inclusions regardless of their type, size, and location within the rough diamond, using a unique patent-pending technology. It revolutionizes not only diamond manufacturing, but also diamond trading. Even frosted rough diamonds, are now fully revealed. No windows need to be polished to view the inclusions within. Check it out. What about colored stones?

Useful link:
www.sarin.com

The Secret Of Kells

Check out Irish filmmaker Tomm Moore's animation The Secret of Kells. It has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Useful links:
www.thesecretofkells.com
http://theblogofkells.blogspot.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day has a great post on his site about his interview with Richard Tait. Many thanks Peter. I thorougly enjoyed it.

Useful link:
www.boomboombrands.com

Brian Rea

Check out Brian Rea's exhibition Murals that opened at the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona. One-of-a-kind, really. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.brian-rea.org
www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org

Gem Notes

GemLab Notes. Vol 1. No.1. Feb 2010. www.gemlab.net

Louvre Stories

Sasha Watson's viewpoints in ARTnews about Musée du Louvre Édition's graphic novel project was interesting. Hats off to Fabrice Douar, deputy director of the Louvre's publishing division (Musée du Louvre Éditions).

Useful links:
http://musee.louvre.fr
www.louvre.fr
www.futuropolis.fr
www.flb.be

Vietnamese Art

Souren Melikian's viewpoints in the New York Times about the arts of ancient Viet Nam was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.asiasociety.org

Spencer Tunick Update

Lie down. Heads up. Stop smiling. www.spencertunick.com

IM Pei

The timeless architecture of IM Pei. www.pcf-p.com

Celeste Boursier-Mougenot

Celeste Boursier-Mougenot's latest installation in The Curve, Barbican, in London was brilliant. It's amazing to see the birds create a unique and changing soundscape. It's a visual experience, really. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.barbican.org.uk

Cesar Awards 2010

French equivalent of the Oscars. www.lescesarducinema.com

Platinum Guild International Update

Advice. Information. Design inspiration about platinum jewelry. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.preciousplatinum.com
www.platinumguild.com

Random Thoughts

Its high and even saturation of brilliant sky-blue color, internally flawless clarity and classic pear shape will undoubtedly spur intense bidding amongst discerning collectors from around the world. It is an unprecedented opportunity to acquire at auction a gem with this unique historical proven.

- Quek Chin Yeow
Deputy chairman/Head, Jewelry department
Sotheby’s Asia
www.sothebys.com

Spot on.

Most Traveled People Update

Read the best travellers' tales at http://mosttraveledpeople.com

Flaunt

Interesting case studies. www.underconsideration.com

Architectural Wake-Up Call

Megacities today, Rubble tomorrow. Shocking news, really. Most of the buildings in the world's fastest-growing cities are rubble in waiting. So true. When will the next big earthquake strike? Could it be Istanbul, Tehran, Mexico City, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dhaka, Jakarta, Karachi, Manila, Cairo, Osaka, Lima or Bogota? Many thanks to Wired.

Useful links:
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/science/earth/25quake.html
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v463/n7283/full/463878a.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/22/AR2010022204828.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cameron-sinclair/haiti-quake-a-plan-for-re_b_426413.html

Philanthropy Report

Ben Wright + Yasmine Chinwala's report in the Wall Street Journal about philanthropy and their long-lasting impact on the world's problems was educational and insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.gatesfoundation.org
www.hihseed.org
www.moibrahimfoundation.org
www.coolnrg.com
www.msfaccess.org
www.rockefellerfoundation.org
www.apax.com
www.bridgesventures.com
www.arkonline.org
www.oxfam.org.uk

The Koons Collection

Randy Kennedy's viewpoints in the New York Times about Jeff Koon artworks was interesting. He is different.

Art has this ability to allow you to connect back through history in the same way that biology does. I’m always looking for source material.
- Jeff Koon

Useful links:
www.jeffkoons.com
www.newmuseum.org

Cutting Energy Costs

A lazy man’s guide to cutting energy costs was brilliant. Many thanks to Economist.

Useful links:
www.passivsystems.com
www.parksassociates.com

Art Fraud

Willie Jones's viewpoints in IEEE Spectrum about sparse-coding technique to spot fakes was a brilliant piece. As James Coddington, chief conservator at the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City, rightly put it computers can be helpful, but the software won't replace human connoisseurship, historical knowledge, chemistry, and other tools.

Useful links:
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~hughes
www.moma.org

Olafur Eliasson

Colored lights + Basic principles of optics = Olafur Eliasson magic. Simply brilliant. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.tanyabonakdargallery.com
www.olafureliasson.net

Art Dealer

Ernst Beyeler was regarded as one of the greatest art dealer and by trusting his eye for under-appreciated works now regarded as masterpieces, he assembled one of the world's most impressive collections of 20th-century paintings. He passed away on February 25, 2010 aged 88. May his soul rest in peace.

Useful links:
www.beyeler.com
www.artbasel.com

Mobile World Congress 2010

Check out Strand Consult's review at http://www.strandreports.dk/sw4121.asp

Useful links:
www.mobileworldcongress.com
www.strandconsult.dk

Charles Munger Viewpoint

Charles Munger's opinion piece in Slate was insightful. A parable about how one nation came to financial ruin is wake up call for all.

Useful links:
www.poorcharliesalmanack.com
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Brilliant Marketing Ideas

Inspiration can strike from any corner (and in every flashback). And beware: Even the greatest ideas are fleeting. So true.

Useful link:
www.entrepreneur.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

The story about GIA India diamond certificates was educational and insightful. I hope it's not round two. The fact of the matter is GIA'same adds tangible value to the diamond. I hope the problems will be resolved soon for the better.

Useful links:
www.giaindia.in
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.wfdb.com

Cullinan Heritage Diamond Update

Petra Diamonds Limited has announced that the 507 carat Cullinan Heritage has been sold for US$35.3 million, the highest sale price on record ever achieved for a rough diamond. The diamond was sold on tender in South Africa and was purchased by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Limited, Hong Kong.

Useful links:
www.petradiamonds.com
www.chowtaifook.com

Random Thoughts

When we sold the pink diamond, the buyer was Chinese, the under-bidder was Chinese, the under-under-bidder was Chinese.

- François Curiel
www.christies.com

Spot on.

Most Valuable Comic Books

The ten most valuable comic books in the world. www.nostomania.com

A-typical Van Gogh Painting

A painting of a windmill recently identified as a Van Gogh has gone on display at Museum de Fundatie, in Zwolle. Check it out.

The painting is a little a-typical for Van Gogh because of the many people appearing on it but also very typical because of the prominent role for the mill.
- Ralph Keuning
Director, Fundatie museum

Useful links:
www.museumdefundatie.nl
www.vangoghmuseum.nl

The Poisoner's Handbook

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum is a fascinating book about forensic medicine and poisons. I had no idea how it all started. A terrific book. A must read.

Useful link:
www.deborahblum.com

Random Thoughts

Everywhere you look, the quantity of information in the world is soaring. According to one estimate, mankind created 150 exabytes (billion gigabytes) of data in 2005. This year, it will create 1,200 exabytes. Merely keeping up with this flood, and storing the bits that might be useful, is difficult enough. Analysing it, to spot patterns and extract useful information, is harder still. Even so, the data deluge is already starting to transform business, government, science and everyday life. It has great potential for good—as long as consumers, companies and governments make the right choices about when to restrict the flow of data, and when to encourage it.

- Economist
www.economist.com

So true.

Online Retailing vs. Store Retailing

Ken Gassman's viewpoints in IDEXOnline about online retailing vs. store retailing was insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
www.idexonline.com

James Balog Photography

Extreme Ice Survey documents the melting of arctic glaciers. It was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.jamesbalog.com

Shepard Fairey Update

Portrait sitting with Shepard Fairey. Sitting will take place during the months of July-August, 2010 at both parties' convenience. All the best.

Useful links:
http://obeygiant.com
www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/11310

Nathan Myhrvold

A market in invention capital. www.intellectualventures.com

Art Market Update

The Economist art review about museum-quality modern Middle Eastern art was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.christies.com

The Diamond Decade: New Opportunities

Martin Rapaport Presentation at Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair 2010. Don't miss. www.diamonds.net

Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair 2010

The 45th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held from February 26, 2010 through March 2, 2010. Don't miss. www.bangkokgemsfair.com

All Economics Is Local

So true. Many thanks to Behavior Research Center + Knowledge@W.P. Carey.

Useful link:
www.brc-research.com

Etienne Perret

Etienne's Gem Ceramic collection. www.etienneperret.com

Disclosure Codes For Colored Gemstones

CIBJO has announced that it had adopted the disclosure codes for colored gemstones as formulated by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA). The decision to harmonize the disclosure codes for colored gemstones makes sense. I hope it works.

Useful links:
www.cibjo.org
www.agta.org
www.gemstone.org

Games + Learning

Gus Mastrapa's viewpoints in Wired about video games and their useful role in education and testing skills was insightful. James Paul Gee was spot on. Videogames is all about learning.

Useful links:
www.gameslearningsociety.org
http://jamespaulgee.cgpublisher.com

Brilliant Earth

Certified conflict free diamonds. www.brilliantearth.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Global Business programme on the clothing industry in Bangladesh was insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.itglwf.org
www.inditex.com
http://bgmea.com.bd

Action Comics # 1

It has been reported that Comic Connect has just sold Action Comics #1, an extremely rare, top-condition copy for exactly $1,000,000. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.comicconnect.com

Random Thoughts

In the next five years, the mantra of providing the best...for the least is going to become ever-present. In other words, if you go into an extended-stay two-star hotel, you are going to get wireless, better thread-counts on your sheets and other things that five-star hotels typically had. And on a high-luxury end, people are also going to want more value for their dollar, and so it's up to the different hoteliers to figure out what that is going to be.

- Dianna Wong
www.diannawong.com

Spot on.

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Interesting insights. Many thanks Gary. I think Apple knows how to connect the dots, and that's why they are successful. Period.

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

Cantor Exchange

Cantor Fitzgerald is expected to launch an electronic futures exchange in April 2010 that would allow investors to bet on box office returns for movies. A different way to get into the game, really.

Useful links:
www.cantorexchange.com
www.hsx.com

Bloom Energy Update

Michael Kanellos's viewpoints in Wired about yttria stabilized zirconia, the secret ingredient in Bloom Energy’s Bloom boxes was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.bloomenergy.com
www.uspto.gov
www.greentechmedia.com

RayWOx

Hirschmann Laborgeräte GmbH from Eberstadt and KACO new energy GmbH from Neckarsulm has developed an industrially useful and reliable design for the waste water cleaning system. The systems will be sold by KACO new energy under the RayWOx product name. Brilliant!

Useful links:
www.kaco-newenergy.com
www.dlr.de
www.hirschmann-laborgeraete.de

World of Gems Conference 2010

Gemworld International, Inc., publisher of the GemGuide has announced the second international gem conference to be held in Rosemont, Illinois at Chicago's O’Hare. Mark your calendar.

Useful links:
www.worldofgemsconference.com
http://gemguide.com

6,225ct Zambian Emerald

Gemfields has announced the discovery of 6,225-carat rough emerald at its Kagem mine in Zambia. The emerald has been named Insofu, which means elephant in the vernacular of the region's indigenous Bemba people, in honor of the World Land Trust's Elephant Corridor Project and in consideration of the stone's unusually large size. Check it out. It is really a big piece. http://gemfields.co.uk/image_gallery11.asp

Useful link:
www.gemfields.co.uk

Jade Collector

Dao Trong Cuong must be a true jade lover. He not only sold his villa in Hanoi, but also borrowed money from the bank to buy the jade at $1.45 million to make the world’s largest jade Buddha statue. Amazing story. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/201001/Largest-gemstone-Buddha-statue-on-the-work-890298

Chrysoprase + Prase Opal, Haneti, Central Tanzania

James E. Shigley/Brendan M. Laurs/Nathan D. Renfro (GIA) has written a brilliant piece on chrysoprase and green prase opal (nickel-bearing chalcedony and common opal) recovered from altered serpentinite deposits near Haneti, Tanzania. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.gia.edu

Titanium-Diffused Sapphire Update

Every new gem treatment needs systematic identification. What was new to the researchers was that the evidence of treatment was reduced or even eliminated in faceted blue sapphires, which is scary. Many wouldn't even recognize the stones when they are mixed in a parcel. Buyer beware, really.

Useful link:
www.git.or.th

CIBJO Congress 2010 Update

The 2010 Congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has opened at the International Congress Centre (ICM) in Munich Germany. Check out the hightlights of the conference at http://congress2010.cibjo.org

Django Reinhardt

Django Reinhardt was one of the greatest jazz guitarist. Woody Allen lovingly mythologized Reinhardt in his 1999 film, Sweet and Lowdown. That's how I fell in love with Reinhardt's beautiful music. Many thanks to Will Frieldwald.

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

War Horse

War Horse is based on a children's book by Michael Morpurgo. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/warhorse

Startup Weekend

Upcoming events and business competition resources. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://startupweekend.org
www.microsoftstartupzone.com
www.microsoft.com/BizSpark
http://sxsw.com

Staying Alive In Avalanche Terrain

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper is a fascinating book about avalanche safety. A must read.

Useful links:

http://brucetremper.com

www.avalanche.org

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's viewpoints in the New York Times about Bronzino's portraits was insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.metmuseum.org
www.nga.gov

Henry Moore

Mark Hudson's viewpoints in the Telegraph about Henry Moore's sculptors was very interesting. He was a genius.

Useful links:
www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk
www.tate.org.uk

Thomas Endlein Photo

Dr Thomas Endlein's (University of Cambridge) amazing photo, an Asian weaver ant hanging upside down on a glass-like surface and holding a 500mg (0.02oz) weight in its jaws was stunningly beautiful. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.endlein.org
www.bbsrc.ac.uk

Franz Ackermann

New ideas. Impressions. www.whitecube.com

A Stop Doing List

This is one of the best post I have read in a long time. It was all about time management. Many thanks, Jim.

Useful link:
www.jimcollins.com

The Bloom Box Story

How green/sustainable is the Bloom Box? Will it change the world? Only time will tell.

Useful links:
www.bloomenergy.com
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/18/60minutes/main6221135.shtml

Random Thoughts

Dominance of De Beers and the other big companies is not going to change so quickly. What will continue to change, however, are the rough diamond marketing structures. We will probably see the end of the Diamond Trading Company within a few years. We will also most likely see that the governments of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa will control their own marketing mechanisms, just as the governments of Angola and Russia are doing today. Rough diamond marketing may ostensibly be in the hands of private companies, but it will definitely be more government-controlled.

- Chaim Even-Zohar
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.mine2mistress.com
www.idexonline.com

Spot on.

CRASH, Homage To JG Ballard

CRASH, Homage to JG Ballard, Gagosian Gallery, London, until April 1, 2010. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.gagosian.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._G._Ballard

Craig Ward

A hairy alphabet, by Craig Ward was brilliant. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.wordsarepictures.co.uk

Shaun Rein Viewpoint

Shaun Rein was spot on. What does it take to get rich? Luck and timing. Never being afraid to fail. Creative. Having a good spouse. Family and health. Plus that Otherness. Sometimes money isn't everything. That's what the rich usually say, really.

Useful link:
www.cmrconsulting.com.cn