Spotting Art Fakes

Daniel Rockmore of Dartmouth College in the US and his colleagues have shown a straightforward method known as sparse coding to distinguish artistic fakes and imitations. The work was reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. I wonder whether this technique could be applied in other fields such gem identification and gem treatments.

Useful links:
www.pnas.org
www.dartmouth.edu

Random Thoughts

Increasingly as people's relationships migrate online, your interactions occur there. That makes it more natural for those acknowledgements of how important someone is to us to occur there also. Buying something like virtual champagne or a birthday card is telling someone they are important to you. We have found tens of millions, hundreds of millions of people playing these social games and many would never consider themselves as gamers. Yet they spend real money to play these games and in some cases really meaningful amounts of money. That is what makes the expansion of this market so exciting.

- Jeremy Liew
www.lightspeedvp.com

So true!

Metro40 Collection

Metro40 = BMW DesignworksUSA + Landscape Forms = Quality experience ++++

Useful links:
www.landscapeforms.com
www.designworksusa.com

Student ≠ Customer

Should students be regarded as customers in higher education? A great question indeed. The New York Times article on issues in higher education (January 4, 2010) was really eye-opening.

The Optimist

The Financial Times’s graphic story was brilliant. It was a unique total internal reflection, really.

A History Of The World In 100 Objects

The BBC and the British Museum have joined forces in an original and unprecedented public service partnership, focusing on world history. At its heart is a landmark series on BBC Radio 4, 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' which will broadcast from 18 January 2010. Mark your calendar.

Useful links:
www.britishmuseum.org
www.bbc.co.uk

Random Thoughts

While modern man is no longer surprised by the changing seasons, he does have problems accepting the economic climate. We rationally adjust to the cycles of the sun but are unable to accept the empirical fact that economic activity also follows a natural cycle. In summer, we are too hot and in winter, too cold. So, too, do our economies overheat as they attract irrational exuberance and speculation. And then, inevitably, the booms go bust. Economies decline and even freeze, providing us with economic versions of fall and winter. Finally, as our greatest fears of gloom and doom emerge, the season changes. Emotional darkness declines as rational light increases. The economic climate warms up. New ideas and opportunities take root and the economy springs forward.

- Martin Rapaport
www.diamonds.net

Spot on.

The New Normal Consumer

What will the new normal consumer look like in 2010? They will focus on savings, really. Check out the NRF and IDEX Online Research viewpoints for 2010.

Useful links:
www.nrf.com
www.idexonline.com

Visual

Visual, the arts centre in Carlow, Ireland, is a must see. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.visualcarlow.ie

Random Thoughts

If it's not profitable, it's not microlending — it's charity.

- Muhammad Yunus
www.grameen-info.org
www.grameenfoundation.org
www.grameenamerica.com

Spot on.

10 Ideas

Bono's opinion piece in the New York Times about the ideas that could change our world was interesting. Let's look forward, not backward, and do the right thing.

Useful links:
www.u2.com
www.one.org
www.joinred.com

Art Market Update

Milton Esterow's viewpoints in ARTnews about the drawing known as La Bella Principessa was an intriguing story. Art business is a very peculiar business, but it is a business.

Useful links:
www.akbild.ac.at
www.ottonaumannltd.com
www.museoleonardo.com
www.metmuseum.org
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.nga.gov

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Thanks Jancis for the brilliant advice. Your stories are a joy to read and to savor. Keep up the good work.

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson
www.crownwinecellars.com

Disruptive Technologies

Forbes's BreakOut! video series profiling the entrepreneurs, inventors and thinkers behind the very kinds of disruptive technologies that could change the world was educational and insightful. I loved it. Thanks.

Useful links:
www.moobella.com
www.emolabs.com
www.activeion.com
www.ideapaint.com
www.apopo.org

Mobile Applications 2012

Gartner's list was interesting. I think the already known common technologies will morph and converge, and this will have a huge impact in the developing world where mobile technology has become a way of life. Stay tuned.

Useful link:
www.gartner.com

Wall Street Journal's Best Photos 2009

Bold, brilliant, beautiful. Thanks WSJ.

Maira Kalman Viewpoint

What a beautiful installment and series! I loved it. Thank You, Maira. All the best.

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

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street Snowy. What a beautiful way to end the year 2009. I loved it. Thanks Bill.

10:10

What has the 10:10 campaign achieved to date? Check it out. www.1010uk.org

Documenting The Decade

Read on for a recap of the decade's most worthy moments. Thanks NYT.