Souren Melikian's report. In the new era of artistic drought, those who hold the goods will ultimately win the contest. But this does not necessarily mean that life is easier for dealers. It sometimes takes weeks, even months, for transactions to be concluded. Collectors love buying from galleries precisely because they can take all the time they need to finalize a decision. As a direct result of the drying up of supplies, another problem for dealers is the relentless rise of art prices — they invest their own money, unlike auction houses, which levy a percentage on sales. For them, the financial risk inherent in each acquisition steadily increases. Even the most powerful galleries feel the need to join forces. Spot on.
Useful links:
http://www.christies.com
http://www.sothebys.com
http://www.richard-green.com
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Luxury Book Market
Luxury Lit = Kraken Opus + Taschen Books = Rarity pays. Check it out.
Useful links:
http://www.taschen.com
http://www.krakenopus.com
http://www.teneues.com
Useful links:
http://www.taschen.com
http://www.krakenopus.com
http://www.teneues.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
The New Indian Rupee Symbol
Hats off to the Indian government + D. Udaya Kumar, a post-graduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology for designing the new symbol. http://finmin.nic.in
Random Thoughts
I paid a brief visit to my teenage son's school the other day. The sun was out and the air was thick with restless, hormonal energy. If only we could tap into these kids' hopes, dreams and creative urges, I mused, we could reinvigorate our jaundiced adult world. It's a tempting proposition, is it not? That all of us, in our youth, have the capacity to be innovators, free-thinkers, resolute refuseniks when it comes to accepting the status quo. Tempting, but alas, illusory. Most of us figure out from a very early age that it's safer to conform than rebel. We tend to go with the flow, rather than ask why it has to be so. That's why so many young people today tell pollsters their ambition in life is to be a celebrity, a sports star or a glamorous model. Yes, they want to be rich and famous, but they want success simply to fall into their laps. Change the world? Sounds too much like hard work. But without innovators we're stuck. Every new generation needs people determined to find a better way. Of thinking, doing, and living.
- Stephen Sackur
http://www.bbc.co.uk
Spot on.
- Stephen Sackur
http://www.bbc.co.uk
Spot on.
The London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum, which hosts one of the world's most important collections of graphic art, asked illustrators to draw the links between cycling in the capital, environment issues, health and fun. Fifty of the 1,000-plus entries are now on display at the museum, in London's Covent Garden, until 22 August. I loved it because it was educational. Many thanks. http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
Spot on. Bold innovations often take time. Period. Many thanks for the insightful post.
Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
http://www.garyhamel.com
http://www.vineetnayar.com
Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
http://www.garyhamel.com
http://www.vineetnayar.com
Immersive Theatre
The Duchess of Malfi is a new opera by the German composer Torsten Rasch commissioned by the English National Opera + Punchdrunk, a theatrical company who specialises in site-specific, immersive theatre. Don't miss.
Useful links:
http://www.eno.org
http://www.punchdrunk.org.uk
Useful links:
http://www.eno.org
http://www.punchdrunk.org.uk
Gem Market Update
The Mozambican Ministry of Mineral Resources is planning to sell off to the highest bidder around ten tonnes of assorted contraband minerals seized from traffickers in precious and semi-previous stones. The largest group of minerals to be auctioned off consists of 8.7 tonnes of rubies in various states. These are not all gem rubies, however - if they were, their value would run into the billions of dollars. A good quality ruby can fetch over 5,000 dollars per carat. A carat is 200 milligrams, or a fifth of a gram. 8.7 tonnes of good quality rubies could therefore sell for 217.5 billion dollars.The highest price ever paid for a ruby was 425,000 dollars per carat by a London jeweler in 2006. http://www.dnm.gov.mz I think the rubies will end up in Bangkok for treatments and sold worldwide.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Random Thoughts
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile. Be yourself, no matter what they say.
- Sting
http://www.sting.com
A fine piece of advice, really.
- Sting
http://www.sting.com
A fine piece of advice, really.
Microbial Art
An exciting interface between art and science. Check out the collection of unique artworks created using living bacteria, fungi, and protists. Stunningly beautiful indeed. http://www.microbialart.com
The Book Of Shells
I think The Book of Shells is one of the most charming and interesting books on shells ever, really.
The Serpentine Story
Jennifer Steinhauer's story in the New York Times about issues surrounding the rock serpentine in California was interesting. In my view there is no way one would be in danger by causal exposure to the rock unless you breathe its dust repeatedly. TIC (This is California).
Best Album Art Of All Time
When it comes to album cover art, beauty is in the eyes, and ears, of its beholders. So true. Many thanks to Scott Thill.
Global Business BBC
Peter Day's global business report on watch making in the Isle of Man was interesting. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.patek.com
www.britishschoolofwatchmaking.co.uk
www.rwsmithwatches.com
www.danielslondon.com
www.iwiwatches.com
www.dentlondon.com
www.christopherward.co.uk
Useful links:
www.patek.com
www.britishschoolofwatchmaking.co.uk
www.rwsmithwatches.com
www.danielslondon.com
www.iwiwatches.com
www.dentlondon.com
www.christopherward.co.uk
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Leonardo's The Virgin Of The Rocks
Interactive guide: the restoration of Leonardo's The Virgin of the Rocks. Many thanks to Jonathan Jones. www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jonathanjones
The Pekar Project
Harvey Pekar has passed away on July 12, 2010. It’s safe to say that, up until his last moments, Harvey Pekar was a walking comic book. But his legacy and passing is a thankful reminder that comics don’t have to be just about supermen (and sometimes women) in tights. They can be about you or me, and our individual and collective troubles, and still make an impact. So true. Many thanks to Scott Thill.
Useful links:
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject/harveyheads
Useful links:
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject/harveyheads
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Autobiography Of Mark Twain
Larry Rohter's report in the New York Times about the autobiography of Mark Twain was interesting. Many thanks. I'm a big Mark Twain fan.
I believe that the trade of critic, in literature, music, and the drama, is the most degraded of all trades, and that it has no real value. However, let it go. It is the will of God that we must have critics, and missionaries, and Congressmen, and humorists, and we must bear the burden.
- Mark Twain
Useful link:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/MTP
I believe that the trade of critic, in literature, music, and the drama, is the most degraded of all trades, and that it has no real value. However, let it go. It is the will of God that we must have critics, and missionaries, and Congressmen, and humorists, and we must bear the burden.
- Mark Twain
Useful link:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/MTP
Random Thoughts
It's important to remember that many of the best parts of travel have nothing to do with the sights that you're seeing—they have to do with the stories that surround them.
- Catherine Price
http://catherine-price.com
Spot on.
- Catherine Price
http://catherine-price.com
Spot on.
Joel Kotkin Vs Christopher Leinberger
America 2050: What Will We Build. I thought the debate was interesting. Many thanks to Greg Lindsay for sharing the info. I was wondering about India. India 2050: What Will We Build.
Useful links:
www.joelkotkin.com
www.cleinberger.com
Useful links:
www.joelkotkin.com
www.cleinberger.com
Monday, July 12, 2010
How To Lose Time And Money
Paul Graham was spot on. 1. Most fortunes are lost through bad investments. 2. The situation with time is much the same as with money. The most dangerous way to lose time is not to spend it having fun, but to spend it doing fake work.True indeed. Many thanks for the inspiring note. www.paulgraham.com
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Matisse's Bathers By The River
Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917, opens next week at the Museum of Modern Art, which is organized by John Elderfield, chief curator emeritus at the Museum of Modern Art, and Stephanie d’Alessandro, the curator of modern art at the Art Institute of Chicago. The show offers a rare opportunity to look beneath the surface of Matisse’s work to see a creative evolution that until now only his eyes had witnessed. Many thanks to Carol Vogel for sharing the info. www.artic.edu
Art Market Update
Souren Melikian report. In the current art drought, rarity is becoming a passport to world record performance. So true. www.christies.com
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Gold Report
The Economist report on gold was interesting. As long as the world economy remains uncertain and investors fear inflation and sovereign default, gold will keep its allure. Eventually, however, the price will weaken: it is even possible that the recent slide to below $1,200 marks the turn. And investors may look back on the bull run of 2009-10—or 2009-11—with the sort of wonder that humanity has too often reserved for the yellow metal itself. So true.
Five Myths About Diamonds
Tom Zoellner's opinion piece in the Washington Post about diamonds was interesting. Many thanks. www.tomzoellner.com
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
I thought Vineet Nayer was spot on. Employees First, Customers Second. The world has become too complex for the CEO to connect the dots.
We must destroy the concept of the CEO. The notion of the ‘visionary,’ the ‘captain of the ship’ is bankrupt. We are telling the employee, ‘You are more important than your manager.’ Value gets created between the employee and the customer, and management’s job is to enable innovation at that interface. To do this, we must kill command-and-control.
- Vineet Nayer
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.vineetnayar.com
We must destroy the concept of the CEO. The notion of the ‘visionary,’ the ‘captain of the ship’ is bankrupt. We are telling the employee, ‘You are more important than your manager.’ Value gets created between the employee and the customer, and management’s job is to enable innovation at that interface. To do this, we must kill command-and-control.
- Vineet Nayer
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.vineetnayar.com
Friday, July 09, 2010
Konrad Bernheimer
The Economist report on Konrad Bernheimer and the Colnaghi gallery was interesting. Now the owner of London’s venerable Colnaghi gallery, currently celebrating its 250th anniversary, he has long known that client confidentiality and keeping contacts to oneself are cardinal rules of the trade. So true. www.colnaghi.co.uk
Turner's Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino
An 1839 Turner masterpiece of a view of Rome has sold for £29.7m in London, breaking the artist's auction record. Check it out.
Turner's Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino has achieved a tremendous and much-deserved result this evening. This breathtaking image shows the artist at his absolute best and, for collectors, it ticked all the boxes - quality, superb condition, provenance and freshness-to-the-market. Over the last few months it has been wonderful to observe the response that the painting has received from collectors who come from all over the world.
- David Moore-Gwyn
www.sothebys.com
Turner's Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino has achieved a tremendous and much-deserved result this evening. This breathtaking image shows the artist at his absolute best and, for collectors, it ticked all the boxes - quality, superb condition, provenance and freshness-to-the-market. Over the last few months it has been wonderful to observe the response that the painting has received from collectors who come from all over the world.
- David Moore-Gwyn
www.sothebys.com
Diamond Branding Opportunity
Avi Krawitz was spot on. For the average consumer, a diamond is a diamond no matter where it comes from and Zimbabwe represents Africa, despite the positive achievements of its neighbors. So true. The Blood Diamond movie message: “January 2003, 40 nations signed The Kimberley Process — an effort to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. But illegal diamonds are still finding their way to market. It is up to the consumer to insist that a diamond is conflict-free.”
Useful links:
www.diamonds.net
www.forevermark.com
www.riotintodiamonds.com/diamantaire
www.canadamark.com
Useful links:
www.diamonds.net
www.forevermark.com
www.riotintodiamonds.com/diamantaire
www.canadamark.com
Biomimicry Challenge
I think biomimicry is a useful tool that can be explored and developed to implement effective solutions in business and life. Many thanks for the insightful challenge.
Useful links:
www.biomimicryinstitute.org
www.asknature.org
www.biomimicryguild.com
www.ideo.com
Useful links:
www.biomimicryinstitute.org
www.asknature.org
www.biomimicryguild.com
www.ideo.com
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Random Thoughts
Social entrepreneurs are known for the creativity and innovation they bring to bear on the gaps in development. Whether tackling water or education, energy or sanitation, social entrepreneurs develop inventive ways to bring new solutions to social challenges. But, in all this creativity, they may be missing one of the larger issues at hand: employership, or, the generation of jobs where none existed before. Lest you confuse employership with entrepreneurship, allow me to elaborate. Entrepreneurship is a loaded word. There is pressure to launch a game-changing idea—or nothing at all. It asks for confidence and considerable chutzpah. It takes passion and an affinity for risk. To be an entrepreneur is to take the weight of the world on one’s shoulders in order to create something that no one has ever done before. It’s not something taken lightly, nor is it something many Indian families encourage.
- Lindsay Clinton
www.intellecap.com
Spot on.
- Lindsay Clinton
www.intellecap.com
Spot on.
Global Business BBC
The Greece Report. Peter Day's report from Athens was educational and insightful. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.eliamep.gr
www.iobe.gr
www.titan.gr
www.paragonship.com
Useful links:
www.eliamep.gr
www.iobe.gr
www.titan.gr
www.paragonship.com
The Influence Project
Mark Borden's Q&A with Gary Vaynerchuk was intersting.
Useful links:
http://tv.winelibrary.com
http://influenceproject.fastcompany.com
Useful links:
http://tv.winelibrary.com
http://influenceproject.fastcompany.com
Glass-Filled Rubies Update
According to AnchorCert gemologists at the Birmingham Assay Office in the U.K, a large number of glass filled rubies have entered the market without proper disclosure. These rubies in their natural form are poor quality corundum and are subjected to bleaching to remove dark patches of color, but this also affects their structure making them brittle and unstable. If doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory. www.anchorcert.co.uk
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
The Paintings Of Charles Burchfield
Hilarie M. Sheets's story in ARTnews about the paintings of Charles Burchfield was interesting. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.hammer.ucla.edu
http://whitney.org
Useful links:
www.hammer.ucla.edu
http://whitney.org
Jeff Scher Viewpoint
This is one of the best short videos I've seen. Many thanks Jeff. http://fezfilms.net
Monday, July 05, 2010
Art Market Update
David Grann's opinion piece in the New Yorker magazine about art authentication was educational and insightful. Many thanks. www.davidgrann.com + www.birofineartrestoration.com
Random Thoughts
He was always on my mind because I had a great deal of respect for how he could tell stories in a single frozen image. Entire stories.
- Steven Spielberg
www.nrm.org
Norman Rockwell was simply a brilliant painter who knew how to connect the dots. His paintings displayed compassion and caring about other people.
- Steven Spielberg
www.nrm.org
Norman Rockwell was simply a brilliant painter who knew how to connect the dots. His paintings displayed compassion and caring about other people.
Good Books
William Taylor was spot on. Great selection indeed. Many thanks. A well-trained man knows how to answer questions. An educated man knows what questions are worth asking.
Shakespeare's Gardens
A theatrical flourish welcomes visitors to 2010 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - as the Royal Horticultural Society celebrates the life and work of the famous bard. Don't miss. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2010
Fakes, Mistakes, And Discoveries
The Economist report was interesting. Many thanks. Among the lessons to be learned at this exhibition is that not all attributions are necessarily for ever. Technology, however sophisticated, may be supplanted by better methods with the passing of time. This is not detective fiction; Sherlock Holmes can get it wrong. Attributions can often be hypotheses rather than unshakable facts. It is to the National Gallery’s credit that it has included some of its expensive misjudgments. Learning about the process is one of the pleasures of this show. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Rare And Collectable
Rio Tinto has announced the launch of its new publication, Rare and Collectable, which focuses on the unique market position occupied by the rare pink diamonds from Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine. Check it out.
Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Random Thoughts
May all that emerges from me be beautiful.
- Yves Klein
www.yveskleinarchives.org
A beautiful prayer indeed.
- Yves Klein
www.yveskleinarchives.org
A beautiful prayer indeed.
Baalbek International Festival 2010
One of the longest-running music festivals in the Middle East. Don't miss. www.baalbeck.org.lb
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Biomimicry Projects
Commercial applications inspired by biomimicry.
Useful links:
www.greenwavelength.com
www.biomimicry.net
http://iopscience.iop.org
Useful links:
www.greenwavelength.com
www.biomimicry.net
http://iopscience.iop.org
Coral Update
Leave precious coral where it belongs. Temple St. Clair was spot on. Adding coral to jewelry industry's conservation efforts does have a powerful effect on the marketplace. These precious animals should be left where they belong--in the ocean.
Useful links:
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.cites.org
Useful links:
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.cites.org
Lawrence Salander Story
Eileen Kinsella's story in ARTnews about Lawrence Salander's fraud was interesting. Sad really. Old habits die hard. www.artnews.com
Friday, July 02, 2010
Wrong: Why Experts Keep Failing Us
Kayla Webley's Q & A with David Freedman was interesting/insightful. www.freedman.com
Start-up Pitch
10 tips for a startup pitch. A simplified demo is worth a thousand presentations. Karam Lakshman was spot on. www.iaccelerator.org
Charles Saatchi's Gift
Fantastic news. Incredible generosity. I wish more people had that kind of vision, really. www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Innovation Camps
Innovation Camps = energy + creativity + originality+ diversity = New business opportunities. I think innovation camps are brilliant practical thinking labs for powerful/functional outcomes. Many thanks to Paul Sloane for sharing the info.
Useful links:
www.amdocs.com
www.destination-innovation.com
Useful links:
www.amdocs.com
www.destination-innovation.com
Knowledge/able
A new blog produced by the Knowledge@W. P. Carey team. Knowledge/able will focus on the place where research and analysis meets the practice of business. http://bitapps.asu.edu/knowledgeable
Masterpiece Fair 2010
A unique showcase of some of the most desirable objects on earth: traditional and modern, old and new, from the finest of fine and decorative art to the best of wines, classic cars, jewellery and contemporary design. Don't miss to view the one-of-a-kind Argyle pink diamond tiara, displayed by jeweler Asprey, featuring 178 Argyle pink diamonds, the most beautiful and the rarest diamonds in the world. www.masterpiecefair.com
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The H. Stern Collection By Oscar Niemeyer
Brilliant. Creative. Inspiring. See it for yourself. www.hstern.net + www.museuoscarniemeyer.org.br
Random Thoughts
Secret Stash 720 HD: This project is about concealing valuables, secrets, bad habits and personal information in our workplaces. Here, hidden spaces/messages were created within 8 general objects such as wood boards, lamps and disposable coffee cups. How? By utilizing stereotypes and visual camouflage. We make judgments based mainly on our experiences and what we see. This dependency on visual information can create large blind spots. Thus, usual stereotypes of how we perceive solid, transparency and lighting are employed in this project to play with notions of "solid and void" and "true and false.
- Yiting Cheng
www.yitingcheng.com
I loved it. Many thanks to Cliff Kuang.
- Yiting Cheng
www.yitingcheng.com
I loved it. Many thanks to Cliff Kuang.
PivotViewer
Gary Flake demos Pivot, a new way to browse and arrange massive amounts of images and data online. Built on breakthrough Seadragon technology, it enables spectacular zooms in and out of web databases, and the discovery of patterns and links invisible in standard web browsing. Check it out. www.silverlight.net + http://photosynth.net + www.ted.com + http://flakenstein.net
Seed Cathedral
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the so-called "Seed Cathedral" is pierced by 60,000 transparent acrylic rods that each contain a seed. I loved it. Congratulations for winning the Royal Institute of British Architects' Lubetkin Prize.
Useful links:
www.heatherwick.com
www.architecture.com
http://en.expo2010.cn
Useful links:
www.heatherwick.com
www.architecture.com
http://en.expo2010.cn
21 Things You Should Never Buy New
Wise Bread's opinion piece in U.S. News & World Report about jewelry was interesting. Many thaniks. www.wisebread.com
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Zero Carbon Elevator
Matthew Lloyd's zero carbon elevator was simply brilliant. www.matthewlloyd.co.uk + www.lfa2010.org
Random Thoughts
The Jaguar's polish is important because you see yourself reflected in it - you can't detach yourself from the object.
- Fiona Banner
www.fionabanner.com
www.tate.org.uk/britain
Brilliant. I loved it.
- Fiona Banner
www.fionabanner.com
www.tate.org.uk/britain
Brilliant. I loved it.
Start-Up Stories
Entrepreneurs talk about how to build businesses. Many thanks to BBC. It was inspiring.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Broke, U.S.A
It's a fascinating book. It's full of stories of financially ignorant people making bad decisions. What can be done? Educate yourself. Really. http://garyrivlin.com
Wine: Best Enjoyed Young
I agree. Many thanks to Jeffrey Iverson for sharing the info.
Useful links:
http://la-contre-etiquette.com
www.o-chateau.com
www.lemeurice.com
Useful links:
http://la-contre-etiquette.com
www.o-chateau.com
www.lemeurice.com
Art Market Update
Souren Melikian Report. How long will the conceptual approach, which gives precedence to names and history over aesthetic achievement, make up for the precipitous decline in quality as leftovers are being sifted through again and again? Differently put, could the proportion of unsaleable goods become so large that Impressionist and Modern art auctions will cease to be financially viable? Whoever happens to have the answers will benefit from the undivided attention of auction house managers, not to mention collectors. So true.
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Booze Under A Microscope
The micrographs by Florida State University chemistry lab was stunningly beautiful. I liked the colorful patterns. Really. www.chem.fsu.edu
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
Leadership from the Inside Out — Part II was briliant. I liked Drew Williams's mantra, borrowed from Mike Breen: low control, high accountability.
Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com
Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com
Art Market Update
The Economist report. When art prices fell, auction houses struggled to attract sellers. Collectors faced with death, divorce or debt—three common reasons for selling—still consigned their works for auction. But discretionary selling fell back sharply. With the memory of the record prices of 2007 still fresh in many collectors’ minds, the question they asked themselves was “why sell if you don’t have to?” Spot on.
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
The Maple Leaf Coin
The largest gold coin in the world has been sold by the auction house Dorotheum for $4m (£2.6m) at an auction in Vienna. www.dorotheum.com
Africa's Blood Diamonds
Jason Stearns's opinion piece in Christian Science Monitor on Israeli diamond tycoon Dan Gertler was interesting. http://congosiasa.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Avi Krawitz Viewpoint
Avi Krawitz's opinion piece in Rapaport about De Beers was interesting. De Beers managing director Gareth Penny made an interesting point. Diamond business is a normal business but it deals with an abnormal product. So true.
Useful links:
www.diamonds.net
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtcbotswana.com
Useful links:
www.diamonds.net
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtcbotswana.com
Random Thoughts
The antithesis of this action bias is, of course, patience. Patience is a weapon you can use to protect yourself from becoming an ADHD investor. It is required because the curse of the value investor is to be too early-both in terms of buying (known affectionately as premature accumulation) and in terms of selling. Unfortunately, in the short term being early is indistinguishable from being wrong. Patience and discipline are much needed when the bottom-up search for value fails to uncover any investment of merit. If you can't find something to invest in, then you are best off doing nothing at all. Warren Buffett often talks of the importance of waiting for the fat pitch. I call investing the greatest business in the world. . . because you never have to swing. You stand at the plate, the pitcher throws you General Motors at 47! U.S. Steel at 39! and nobody calls a strike on you. There is no penalty except opportunity lost. All day you wait for the pitch you like; then when the fielders are asleep, you step up and hit it. However, most institutional investors behave like Babe Ruth at bat with 50,000 fans and the club owner yelling, "Swing, you bum!" and some guy is trying to pitch him an intentional walk. They know if they don't take a swing at the next pitch, the guy will say, "Turn in your uniform."
- James Montier
http://behaviouralinvesting.blogspot.com
Brilliant. I loved it.
- James Montier
http://behaviouralinvesting.blogspot.com
Brilliant. I loved it.
Sudarshan Shetty's Art
Margot Cohen's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about Sudarshan Shetty's artwork was interesting and inspiring. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.galleryske.com
www.saffronart.com
Useful links:
www.galleryske.com
www.saffronart.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
Edahn Golan Viewpoint
Two guys are put in a room with a suitcase full of cash. They are told they will not be allowed to leave the room until they decide on how they will divide the cash between them. Alternatively, they can leave the money in the suitcase and walk away with nothing. The door closes and Abe immediately offers to split the money 50/50 and go home. Berry offers him in return a dirty look and replies, "I'm taking 90 percent of the money. If you don't like the idea, I'm OK with walking away with nothing at all. The choice is yours. After a heated back and fourth, Abe sees that Berry is not budging, and concludes that the only way for him to get any money is by accepting Berry's hard-line stance. The KP talks this week bare resemblance to this story. www.idexonline.com
Edahn Golan was spot on. All of us should know that life is not perfect. Give and take or lose it all. Compromise.
Edahn Golan was spot on. All of us should know that life is not perfect. Give and take or lose it all. Compromise.
The Power Of Ideas
An entrepreneurial platform created by The Economic Times to seek, nurture and groom business ideas. www.ideas.economictimes.com
Random Thoughts
A black and white image reduces photography to its simplest elements — shapes and shades. In the same way, a T-shirt is clothing in its simplest form.
- Ken Miller
www.uniqlo.co.uk
Brilliant. I loved it.
- Ken Miller
www.uniqlo.co.uk
Brilliant. I loved it.
Art Market Update
Siouren Melikian's Art Market Report. Name = Everything. That sums up the trend of the market of today. Period. www.sothebys.com + www.christies.com
Diamonds, Development, And Property Rights
Brilliant video indeed. This video details the problems faced by diamond miners working with alluvial diamonds in the Central African Republic, and the challenges of affirming property rights at the grass roots level. The video briefly summarizes the 8-step process PRADD developed to translate customary rights into statutory rights. The process combines community development techniques to identify, organize, and motivate miners with GPS devices to precisely locate the mining claims.
Useful links:
www.usaid.gov
www.ardinc.com
Useful links:
www.usaid.gov
www.ardinc.com
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Startup Update
Near-Eye Tool for Refractive Assessment (NETRA) is a brilliant innovation by the researchers at the MIT Media Lab. I hope the technology becomes available/affordable for hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. www.media.mit.edu
Glastonbury Festival 2010
Glastonbury Festival, the world-renowned festival started in 1970 is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Random Thoughts
One was recently asked, how do you spot a hoodoo when you are in or dangerously close to their presence? I would say that their past record of failures is a good starting point. As is their ability to talk a much better game than they play. Also, their attempt to impress you with the trappings of success, ( a conference call with their five principals is a usual gambit). Not to be disregarded is their locus of operations, often from a ephemerally built recreational area where permanent lodgings and such things as pianos are not availalbe. The inclination to befriend you and flatter you is also a clue. But how can this be quantified, and how can we learn to avoid them? What should you do when you've met a hoodoo? I've always taken to burning my shirts, especially if they've hugged me as they ofen do. Dare I ask the question of whether there are such things as hoodoos or is it a figment of random numbers? No, that would be too mind boggling. But please help with your insights.
- Victor Niederhoffer
www.dailyspeculations.com
Stay vigilant, really.
- Victor Niederhoffer
www.dailyspeculations.com
Stay vigilant, really.
Grizzly Man
Entertaining. Educational. Visually stimulating. Dreams vs. Reality. Briliant documentary indeed.
Useful link:
http://wernerherzog.com
Useful link:
http://wernerherzog.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)