Hats off to Joseph Fourier for simplifying mathematics and introducing FTIR to the world of science and entertainment.
Useful link:
http://nautil.us/blog/-the-math-trick-behind-mp3s-jpegs-and-homer-simpsons-face
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Face Time: Rembrandt’s Self-Portraits
What made him so special?
Useful link:
https://www.artic.edu/articles/737/face-time-rembrandts-self-portraits
Useful link:
https://www.artic.edu/articles/737/face-time-rembrandts-self-portraits
Pearls With A Presence And A Past
Pearls are definitely forever.
Useful link:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbernstein/2019/06/04/pearls-with-a-presence-and-a-past/#7da93ce76613
Useful link:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbernstein/2019/06/04/pearls-with-a-presence-and-a-past/#7da93ce76613
Meet The PIT: The World’s Fastest Crypto Exchange
An institutional-grade crypto trading platform is on.
Useful links:
https://www.blockchain.com
https://blog.blockchain.com/2019/07/30/meet-the-pit-the-worlds-fastest-crypto-exchange
Useful links:
https://www.blockchain.com
https://blog.blockchain.com/2019/07/30/meet-the-pit-the-worlds-fastest-crypto-exchange
Textile Waste
Take a look at a recent study from the Environmental Protection Agency. They have found that textile waste is up over 800-percent since 1960.
Between 1960 and 2015, the agency has estimated that textile waste had grown by a staggering 811-percent, reports Supply Chain Dive. Over that time, the amount of textile waste has risen from 1.7 million tons at the beginning of the study to 16 million tons by its end, a more than nine-time increase. And approximately two-thirds of that waste is being dumped directly into landfills.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Consumer Surveillance Enters Its Bargaining Phase
We can't stop it entirely.
Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/06/alexa-google-incognito-mode-not-real-privacy/590734
Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/06/alexa-google-incognito-mode-not-real-privacy/590734
Sarah Coleman
Meet SC, the New York designer who turns old Louis Vuitton bags into folding chairs.
Useful link:
https://sarahcoleman.co
Useful link:
https://sarahcoleman.co
The Diplomat Show
Mark your calendar: September 4-6, 2019 @ The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida.
Useful link:
https://www.thediplomatshow.com
Useful link:
https://www.thediplomatshow.com
Diamond Industry’s Elite Club Is Starting To Show Cracks
Never underestimate De Beers Group. As they say, if you want to be successful with diamonds, you have to get as close to De Beers as possible, period.
Useful link:
https://www.mining.com/web/diamond-industrys-elite-club-is-starting-to-show-cracks
Useful link:
https://www.mining.com/web/diamond-industrys-elite-club-is-starting-to-show-cracks
Sierra Energy
One startup wants to eliminate the pollution by essentially vaporizing garbage to turn it into clean energy and fuel. That company is Sierra Energy.
Monday, July 29, 2019
A Crisis Of Legitimacy
The causes of this crises could be due to asymmetry, disruption, age, populism, and the unknown unknown.
Useful link:
https://www.strategy-business.com/article/A-crisis-of-legitimacy?gko=9c234
Useful link:
https://www.strategy-business.com/article/A-crisis-of-legitimacy?gko=9c234
Too Many People Want To Travel
It is an extreme environmental crisis and no one has a logical solution.
Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/06/crowds-tourists-are-ruining-popular-destinations/590767
Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/06/crowds-tourists-are-ruining-popular-destinations/590767
Synthetic Diamonds To Become A Bigger Share Of Fine Jewellery Market
China is a major player today, and will remain a big market for synthetic diamonds for a very long time.
Useful links:
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3020399/china-disrupting-worlds-diamond-sector-tapping-sophisticated-technology
http://www.paulzimnisky.com
Useful links:
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3020399/china-disrupting-worlds-diamond-sector-tapping-sophisticated-technology
http://www.paulzimnisky.com
Lenny Maughan
For the past four years, Lenny Maughan has been turning his routes into art. His paths through the city are carefully chosen so that, viewed on a map, they form illustrations of everything from a simple heart shape to the starship Enterprise. So far he’s made 53 works – including, most recently, an unmistakable image of the artist Frida Kahlo that made a splash on Reddit and in local media.
Simply brilliant.
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Random Thoughts
Here’s an analogy. If you forget somebody’s name, the more you think about it, the harder it is to access. The name isn’t dormant. Access to it is blocked because your conscious cognitive resources are going in a different direction. When you start thinking about something else, or leave a room, it pops into your mind. The same can be true for being alone. When you’re alone and intensely focused on something, you’ve got an inner critic going, you’re monitoring yourself. When you have to respond to somebody else, and allow yourself to hear other thoughts, you forget the inner critic. You hear other parts of your brain talking more loudly, more clearly. If you’re a solo performer, it’s really hard to get completely immersed in what you’re doing. When you have to respond to somebody else, it’s easier to forget your inner critic.
Creative Machines Lab
Get to know Hod Lipson, a roboticist who runs the Creative Machines Lab at Columbia University.
Louis Vuitton Reinvents The Blossom
Hats off to Francesca Amfitheatrof.
Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/big-and-bold-louis-vuitton-bblossom-reinvented
Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/big-and-bold-louis-vuitton-bblossom-reinvented
The Body’s Clock Offers A Rhythmic Target To Viruses
Viruses and parasites are a fascinating field of study.
Useful link:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-bodys-clock-offers-a-rhythmic-target-to-viruses-20190530
Useful link:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-bodys-clock-offers-a-rhythmic-target-to-viruses-20190530
Tropical Forest Alliance 2020
In 2012, the World Economic Forum brought together more than 150 partners working in Latin America, West Africa, Central Africa and South-East Asia – to establish the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020: a global public-private partnership to tackle deforestation linked to the production of four commodities: palm oil, beef, soy, and pulp and paper.
Is it working?
Blueprint
Bill Gates reads about a book a week. He has a new favorite: Blueprint by Nicholas Christakis. Take note.
Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day marks the point at which we’ve collectively blown through the amount of food, timber, fiber, and carbon that the planet can renew or manage in a year. It’s a barometer for how badly we’re stressing the planet’s natural resources, and how out of sync we are with what it can sustainably provide.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
The Lui Che Woo Prize For World Civilization
The LUI Che Woo Prize for World Civilization is bestowed upon three winners each year with a cash award of HK$20 million ($2.56 million), which is more than twice as generous as the Nobel Prize. The award has already been given to 9 laureates for their contributions ranging from sustainable development, the betterment of mankind’s welfare to the promotion of positive life attitudes.
The Portland Jewelry Symposium
Mark your calendar: September 29-30, 2019, Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Useful link:
https://portlandjewelrysymposium.com
Useful link:
https://portlandjewelrysymposium.com
Alrosa Announces Its Approach To Traceability
A brilliant initiative by Alrosa. Selective electronic passports will accompany diamonds to track traceability.
Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/supply/7771-in-vegas-alrosa-announces-its-approach-to-traceability
Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/supply/7771-in-vegas-alrosa-announces-its-approach-to-traceability
How To Excel At Ethics
Get to know Benn Harvey-Walker.
Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63792&ArticleTitle=Interview%253a%2bHow%2bto%2bExcel%2bat%2bEthics
Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63792&ArticleTitle=Interview%253a%2bHow%2bto%2bExcel%2bat%2bEthics
Sandbox VR
Get to know Steve Zhao.
Useful links:
https://sandboxvr.com
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/26/how-sandbox-vr-became-a-virtual-reality-gaming-sensation.html
Useful links:
https://sandboxvr.com
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/26/how-sandbox-vr-became-a-virtual-reality-gaming-sensation.html
Cooper's Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk, based in Orland Park, Illinois, has pioneered a unique, multipronged model for creating wine and bringing it to budding consumers. The company sold 750,000 cases of wine last year, quietly climbing into the top 30 wineries in the United States. It operates 34 tasting room/restaurants across the Midwest, Florida, and East Coast, and boasts 375,000 wine club members. It brought in $282 million in revenue in 2018—raking in nearly $10 million in profit. This week, the California-based private equity firm Ares Management purchased a minority stake reportedly valued at north of $700 million.
A remarkable story.
World's First Luxury Cake Truck
You can track the cake truck’s journey throughout California live on the Lady M website where the exact tour dates will also be announced.
The Keystone Collection
Buying at auction can be an intimidating process for a newbie watch collector. But less so at Christie’s, thanks to the house’s growing focus on online sales geared to younger and newer buyers.
Case in point: Christie’s has teamed with The Keystone, a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based watch dealer, to present a first-of-its-kind sale, dubbed “Christie’s Watches Online: The Keystone Collection.”
The sale, which runs from July 30 to Aug. 13, features 222 lots spanning multiple decades, from modern timepieces to sought-after vintage models; multiple brands, with an emphasis on Rolex sport pieces and Patek Philippes; and a vast range of price points, with the bulk of lots falling in the $3,000 to $10,000 range.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Why Longines, Blancpain And Other Luxury Brands Recreate Vintage Watches Loved By Celebrities
The stories behind each watch often make them sought after items at auctions and high-profile sales, sometimes setting record prices.
Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3011951/why-longines-blancpain-and-other-luxury-brands-recreate
Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3011951/why-longines-blancpain-and-other-luxury-brands-recreate
Derek Katzenbach: Faceter, Gem Artist, Custom Jeweler
A practising gemologist with special skills.
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-gemnews-derek-katzenbach
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-gemnews-derek-katzenbach
Is There A Difference Between Natural And Laboratory-Grown Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are man-found, while lab-grown diamonds are man-made.
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/difference-between-natural-laboratory-grown-diamonds
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/difference-between-natural-laboratory-grown-diamonds
Kakuma Refugee Camp
In 2018 the Forum of Young Global Leaders took a group of dynamic, influential and knowledgeable delegates to Kakuma Refugee Camp, situated in Kenya’s Northwest region, in partnership with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), to consider ways to apply their resources – energy, networks, organizations and intellect – to find new approaches to protracted humanitarian situations. Despite significant constraints, Kakuma - which houses a population of almost 187,000 people - has a GDP approaching $56 million and is the economic engine of Kenya’s Turkana County. It is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit and power across displaced populations.
Rapaport Diamond Podcast
Talking about diamonds.
In the July episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, the editorial team discusses the troubles in the industry. Plus, what are the positives in the sector right now?
RDP also critiques a recent marketing video from the Israel Diamond Exchange, and ponder how the trade should handle the current challenges.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Ten Juicy Secrets About Restaurants I Learned Working As Nobu’s Maitre D’
The rich and famous are endlessly complicated.
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-07-19/restaurant-secrets-from-nobu-reservations-unruly-celebs-sushi?srnd=businessweek-v2
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-07-19/restaurant-secrets-from-nobu-reservations-unruly-celebs-sushi?srnd=businessweek-v2
Diamonds Ain't Diamonds
Insightful report by BHW.
Useful link:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diamonds-aint-benn-harvey-walker
Useful link:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diamonds-aint-benn-harvey-walker
Independent Private Sector Audit Supports Signet’s Sixth Disclosure That Its Jewelry Is “DRC Conflict Free”
Earth's Seafloor May Be Destined To Become Diamonds
It will be a geological wonder if and when it happens.
Useful link:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/05/diamond-time-capsule-ancient-oceans/?cjevent=329d8b77843911e983e300430a180513&utm_source=6154180&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=CJ
Useful link:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/05/diamond-time-capsule-ancient-oceans/?cjevent=329d8b77843911e983e300430a180513&utm_source=6154180&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=CJ
Hard Stones Enter The Realms Of High Jewellery
Please don't use the word semi-precious gemstones. Every gemstone is precious.
Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/hard-stones-enter-realms-high-jewellery-cartier-bulgari-van-cleef-chaumet-pomellato
Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/hard-stones-enter-realms-high-jewellery-cartier-bulgari-van-cleef-chaumet-pomellato
Land Of Origins: A Gemological Expedition To Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a known unknown land for gemstones. The GIA field gemology report is a must read.
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-land-of-origins-gemological-expedition-ethiopia
Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-land-of-origins-gemological-expedition-ethiopia
Hanyu Ichiro's Full Card Series
One of the world’s rarest collections of Japanese whisky, from a storied distillery that closed almost two decades ago, is about to go up for auction. But anyone looking to get their hands on the spirits will have to part with plenty of cash to do so, as the lot is expected to fetch in excess of $500,000.
As part of next month’s Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky auction to be held in Hong Kong, Bonhams will be offering a complete Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series. The extremely rare set consists of 54 bottles of Scotch-style malt whisky, each of which represents the playing cards in a full deck (including two jokers), from the acclaimed distillery. A previous set sold for nearly $490,000 at auction in 2015.
Not Ok
Researchers from Rice University in Houston, who first traveled to Iceland to study how the loss of ice was affecting the national sense of identity, had heard multiple people mention the idea of death and headstones. Oddur Sigurðsson, the glaciologist who first declared that Ok was no longer a glacier in 2014, had jokingly talked about a death certificate. It was a small glacier, and the news of its demise didn’t really reach beyond Iceland. (Some even smaller glaciers in the country, too insignificant to be named, had already melted before Ok.) The researchers decided to make a film about it, called Not Ok, and then decided to create the memorial. Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason wrote the text for the plaque. Must watch.
Mercury Free Mining
Nonprofit organization Mercury Free Mining (MFM) has organized a global challenge campaign to eliminate the use of the dangerous metal in the industry, with the winning idea earning a $1 million prize.
More than 15 million artisanal gold miners inadvertently release 8,000 pounds of mercury into the environment every day, causing irreversible neurological damage. However, there is currently no alternative and safe process.
MFM CEO Toby Pomeroy is putting together a group of people from the jewelry, gemstone, mining, refining and gold-trading sector to oversee the competition. The individual, team or organization that comes up with an affordable and reliable alternative to using mercury in mining will win.
MFM’s board of directors, which includes Bill Boyajian, former CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) president Ronnie VanderLinden, will also work on the project.
Many thanks to Rapaport.
Whose Jewelry Box Would You Raid?
Rui Galopim de Carvalho
Founder, Portugal Gemas Academy
If there is a celebrity whose jewel box I would like to raid, it is Joel Arthur Rosenthal. This American-born jewelry artist, known as JAR, is a living legend, a mysterious and fascinating character, and a unanimously respected jeweler among his peers.
He has made extraordinary jewels with extraordinary gems for extraordinary people, being a master of perfection and detail.
I’m pretty sure that his jewelry box has unique and as-yet-unveiled art pieces that nobody has seen before, surely with fine and unusual colored gemstones, pearls, precious corals, ebony, diamonds… but it’s a mystery because no one knows exactly what he is up to and what he has produced and kept. Opening his jewelry box would be like the exciting discovery of a whole new world of secret, unseen glittering art pieces.
Spot on. Many thanks to Rapaport.
Carbon Neutral Diamond Mining
De Beers Group’s research into a process that could possibly lead to carbon-neutral diamond mining has just received a grant in the amount of CAD 675,000 from Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth Program. Natural Resources Canada is a ministry of the Canadian government.
The project, first announced two years ago, involves injecting carbon dioxide into processed kimberlite rock in order to accelerate the naturally occurring process of mineral carbonation. During that process, the kimberlite tailings can change the carbon dioxide into a stable and benign carbonate mineral.
Kimberlite has enough storage capability that only 10% of its storage potential would need to be harnessed to capture the carbon dioxide emissions of a whole mine.
While laboratory experiments have already proved successful, the grant will support larger-scale field demonstrations at De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. A similar test is being undertaken at a De Beers Group mine in Botswana.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
IEA Report On Bitcoin
According to a report released on July 23 by the International Energy Agency Bitcoin (BTC) mining is likely responsible for 10‑20 Megatonne (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year or 0.03-0.06% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
The Secret Museums Hiding Some Of The World’s Greatest Art, Tax-Free
Geneva, Singapore, Luxembourg are some of the best free ports to store valuable artworks.
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-24/tax-free-secret-museums-hide-some-of-the-world-s-greatest-art
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-24/tax-free-secret-museums-hide-some-of-the-world-s-greatest-art
Lab Finds Synthetic Sapphires Posing As Diamonds
Nothing new. Synthetic colorless sapphires are good imitations for diamonds.
Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63757&ArticleTitle=Lab%2bFinds%2bSynthetic%2bSapphires%2bPosing%2bas%2bDiamonds
Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63757&ArticleTitle=Lab%2bFinds%2bSynthetic%2bSapphires%2bPosing%2bas%2bDiamonds
Hublot's Big Bang Paraiba
Roger Dubuis, Graff, Chopard and Fabergé have all used the Paraiba tourmalines in watches, but pieces are limited and sell out quickly. Hublot and Harry Winston recently introduced pieces in their current collections. Hublot’s Big Bang Paraiba is set with up to 224 paraiba in a collection that includes four references in two sizes. Hublot says the gems were ethically mined in Brazil under environmentally sustainable conditions, and guarantees their origin. The cases are 45 mm or 39 mm in either white or King gold (a Hublot alloy of gold, platinum and copper). They contain either the automatic HUB1242 or HUB1710 calibers, and are priced between $232,000 and $274,000. Take a look.
Defy Classic Timepiece
Zenith has just released an exclusive edition of its Defy Classic timepiece in collaboration with the luxury fashion e-tailer Farfetch, on the occasion of the brand’s one-year anniversary on the platform. Limited to 25 pieces available exclusively on farfetch.com, the $7,500 model comes in a 41 mm faceted case made of white ceramic featuring a combination of polished, satin-brushed and micro-blasted matte surfaces.
Gem Diamonds Recovers 123.5 Carats Rough Diamond
Gem Diamonds has recovered a diamond weighing 123.5 carats, its third white stone over 100 carats this year, and its second this month.
It found the high-quality, type II stone at its Letšeng mine in Lesotho on July 20. The miner also unearthed a 140-carat white diamond from the deposit on July 6, and a 161-carat stone in March.
In total, the company has retrieved five stones weighing more than 100 carats this year. It found a 134-carat stone in March, and another weighing 135 carats last month. Last year, Gem Diamonds recovered a total of 15 high-quality rough diamonds over 100 carats.
Many thanks to Rapaport.
The 18th Paris Gemmological Rendez Vous
The French Association of Gemmology (AFG) will hold a conference in Paris on the state of the diamond industry, it said Monday.
The 18th Paris Gemmological Rendez Vous — which will take place on September 9 — will cover topics including diamond mining, the current state of the market, colored diamonds, and the gemological and historical aspects of natural diamonds. Martin Rapaport, Chairman of Rapaport Group, will be a speaker at the event.
“This year’s symposium will be taking a comprehensive look at diamonds,” said AFG president Didier Giard, referencing the many challenges the natural-diamond industry faces, including synthetics and a volatile international market. “[Our speakers] will be giving us their considered views, backed by years of experience, on the diamond industry, from many different angles.”
Speakers at the event will be:
. Alan Bronstein, president of the Natural Color Diamond Association.
. Aurélien Delaunay, director of the French Laboratory of Gemmology.
. Richard Duffy, CEO of Petra Diamonds.
. David Fisher, principal scientist, De Beers Technology.
. Stephane Fischler, president of the World Diamond Council.
. Peter Karakchiev, head of the international relations department at Alrosa.
. Jim Pounds, executive vice president of diamonds at Dominion Diamond Mines.
. Martin Rapaport, Chairman, Rapaport Group.
. Eddy Vleeschdraeger, director at the Scientific and Technical Research Center for Diamond, and author of Hardness 10.
. Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of international relations and ethical initiatives for De Beers.
Many thanks to Rapaport.
Lorelei Collection
Lorelei Collection: Hearts On Fire and Girls Inc. were involved in the process every step of the way, from initial concept to generating CAD (computer-animated design) models of the designs, 3-D printing the molds, and creating the finished jewelry. Must watch.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Talking Watches
Less than two years ago, the Rolex watch was featured on Jack Nicklaus's wrist in his episode of Talking Watches – which, if you somehow missed back then, you should watch right now. A memorable episode.
What Are Frontier Markets And Why Invest In Them?
You have got be a contrarian to invest in frontier markets.
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-25/what-are-frontier-markets-and-why-invest-in-them-quicktake?srnd=premium-asia
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-25/what-are-frontier-markets-and-why-invest-in-them-quicktake?srnd=premium-asia
Vietnam’s Economy Could Soon Be Bigger Than Singapore’s
Vietnam is the place to be for the next several decades.
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-28/vietnam-s-economy-could-soon-be-bigger-than-singapore-s?srnd=premium-asia
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-28/vietnam-s-economy-could-soon-be-bigger-than-singapore-s?srnd=premium-asia
Artificial General Intelligence
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), an AI system that has, like humans, the capacity to reason across different domains and apply its skills to unfamiliar problems, has announced a billion dollar partnership with Microsoft to fund its work — the latest sign that AGI research is leaving the domain of science fiction and entering the realm of serious research.
Carmen Herrera: Estructuras Monumentales
Movado Group Foundation is playing its part in bringing the large-scale sculptures of a 104-year-old artist in front of the public for the first time.
The foundation, a charitable organization sponsored by Movado Group, partnered with Public Art Fund to be the presenting sponsor for the first major exhibition of outdoor sculptures by Cuban-born, New York-based artist Carmen Herrera.
Carmen Herrera: Estructuras Monumentales, is on display in New York City through November.
Pluralsight
Take a look at Pluralsight. The company has scaled to over $4 billion in market cap. Bootstrapping an Online Education Company to $12M: Pluralsight CEO Aaron Skonnard
The Levelling
The Levelling: What’s Next after Globalization? by Michael O’Sullivan, a former chief investment officer at a major bank, argues that the world is rapidly exiting a 30-year period of ever-greater global integration and entering a new era of populist disruption. Must read.
Canada Earth Tower
Canada Earth Tower, an ambitious 40-storey tower will become the world’s tallest wooden building. The design includes around 200 homes, with an outdoor garden for every three floors as well as premium office space and retail.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Niksen
Niksen is an increasingly popular Dutch relaxation technique where you relinquish control and just ... stop. Try.
Because Internet: Understanding The New Rules Of Language
Get to know Gretchen McCulloch, the author of Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language, a pop linguistics book about internet language.
The Chemical Footprint Project
The Chemical Footprint Project measures a company's chemical footprint and then tracks their progress toward using safer alternatives throughout their supply chain. Get involved.
Useful link:
https://www.chemicalfootprint.org
Useful link:
https://www.chemicalfootprint.org
World's Rivers Awash With Dangerous Levels Of Antibiotics
It is quite scary and depressing. We are responsible for the whole mess.
Useful link:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/27/worlds-rivers-awash-with-dangerous-levels-of-antibiotics
Useful link:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/27/worlds-rivers-awash-with-dangerous-levels-of-antibiotics
You Can Still Buy A House With Gold Bars In Vietnam
In Vietnam, cash and gold is the king and queen.
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-27/vietnam-s-next-revolution-a-cashless-society-for-the-masses?srnd=premium-asia
Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-27/vietnam-s-next-revolution-a-cashless-society-for-the-masses?srnd=premium-asia
The Moon: A History For The Future
Oliver Morton’s latest book The Moon: A History for the Future is a must read.
Random Thoughts
We are about to commit the biggest intergenerational crime in the history of mankind. We need to bring us together not drive us apart. If you don’t address inequality and climate change, to keep it simple, a lot more people are going to be dissatisfied, feel not included or left behind, and making these choices of rejection at the ballot box. The fact we are having these issues of populism and schisms in society is exactly because we are not addressing the underlying issue to evolve capitalism and make sure it works for everybody.
Rare Find Diamond
Botswana’s largest rough diamond now has a name, following a public contest held by Lucara Diamond Corp.
The company chose to call the 1,758-carat stone Sewelô, which means rare find in the local Setswana language. It was the winning entry from more than 22,000 submissions.
“The largest diamond recovered in Botswana’s history was named by the people of Botswana this evening in a celebration of Botswana’s success,” Lucara CEO Eira Thomas said last week.
The miner has completed its analysis of the diamond — which it recovered in April from the Karowe mine’s high-value south lobe — and is considering its sale options, Thomas added.
Lucara announced the new name during a gala event, at which Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi was present.
Many thanks to Rapaport.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Random Thoughts
Grief is a shape-shifter and varies in intensity and form as it winds its way through a person. It can come out as anger, bitterness, jealousy, self-loathing, tears from nowhere, or a desperation to find another, alternative prognosis. It can be numbness or flatness or lethargy. It may feel like a dream state. There might be a desperation for it all to be over. All of this is grief, and it’s our way of coming to terms with the truth.
Burn-out Is Officially Recognized As A Chronic Condition: World Health Organization
Burn-out is added to the official list of diseases, a year after it was recommended.
Useful links:
https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/129180281
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7076089/Burn-officially-recognized-disease-World-Health-Organization.html
Useful links:
https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/129180281
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7076089/Burn-officially-recognized-disease-World-Health-Organization.html
Upstream Data
Did you know? Upstream Data provides mobile mining datacenters that can be installed at oil company facilities that need to vent gas.
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