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