The Nature Of Diamonds

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be presenting 'The Nature of Diamonds', the most wide-ranging exhibition ever developed on the allure of diamonds. From Saturday, October 25, 2008 until Sunday, March 22, 2009, visitors to the ROM’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall on level B2 in the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal will be dazzled by the exhibition’s spectacular jewellery and stunning gemstones.

Useful links:
www.rom.on.ca
www.amnh.org
www.hmns.org

A must-visit.

Art In Moscow

Sonia Kishkovsky writes about Moscow's new trend: art-related parties + pre-auction previews (by big auction houses) for the Moscow’s elite + other viewpoints @
http://blogs.iht.com/tribtalk/travel/globespotters/?p=426

Useful links:
www.moscow-faf.com
www.aidan-gallery
www.janekahan.com
www.rusmuseum.ru
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Ockham's Razor

Ockham's Razor is the principle proposed by William of Ockham in the fourteenth century: 'Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate', which translates as 'entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily' or 'keep it simple'.

He was spot on.

Great Wines From Argentina

Robert Parker is the world's most influential wine critic. He writes about malbecs @ http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/may2008/bw20080529_268512.htm

Useful link:
www.eRobertParker.com

Marketing Ideas For New Generation

I found the Steve Stoute talks with Kelefa Sanneh about marketing to a new generation of consumers @ http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/stoute educational and inspiring. It was brilliant.

Useful links:
www.soundslam.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Stoute

Random Thoughts

The jungle has the greatest biodiversity with thousands of species each occupying a specific niche. The only direct conflicts we saw were between two spiders, and two monkeys fighting over the same niche. The forest had three main levels, first at the ground to 15 meters, 15-35 m and the canopy above 35 m. Some market ideas from the learning experience involve the separation of the levels and the specialization within each level of the forest. The occupants and action at the bottom of the forest are much different than those in the middle or top. As in markets different techniques are needed at tops, middles, and bottoms. It is hard for one species of trader to hope to avoid death at all the levels. It is very hard to start on the bottom of a market and survive to the top. Extreme specialization is the rule in the jungle. There is no reason that same type of specialization would not be required in the market jungle. However in many ways, current markets lack real diversity. The correlation among markets has been a result of this lack of diversity. Too many in the same niche or trade. The lack of diversity causes inability to absorb market shocks. In the jungle, when a large 800 years old kapok tree falls, a huge gap is created. Many species rush in to fill the gap, but due to the rush, the vegetation is weak. Similar action may occur in market gaps when a shock hits. The initial occupiers of the gap are weak holders.

- Jim Sogi

How true!

Tanzanite Mining

Matt Brown writes about tanzanite mining in Tanzania + other viewpoints @ http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080526/FOREIGN/69281946/1017/SPORT&Profile=1017

Vicor Mushi of World Vision, the only aid organisation in town, estimated that 30 to 40 per cent of the population is HIV positive. Other diseases, including cholera, stem from a lack of clean drinking water.

Shocking, really!

101.27 carat Diamond

A 101.27 carat diamond, the size of a ping pong ball, has been sold by Christies at auction in Hong Kong for more than $6m (£3m). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7423194.stm

Useful link:
www.christies.com