Naturalist

Naturalist by Edward O. Wilson (two-time Pulitzer Price winning author) is a wonderful autobiography by one of world's foremost biogeographers and proponents of the conservation of biodiversity. A must-read.

Useful links:
www.eol.org
www.macfound.org

Rio Tinto Diamonds Update

Rio Tinto Diamonds, the world's largest supplier of champagne diamonds, has released its latest range of champagne diamond promotional materials. Go to the Web site for further information.

Useful link:
www.riotintodiamonds.com

Harry Clarke

Economist writes about Irish artist Harry Clarke + interesting original illustrations + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=11734867

Useful links:
Harry Clarke
www.wolfsonian.org
www.nationalgallery.ie

Random Thoughts

Advances in electronic paper, of which Kindle (Amazon's new wireless reading device) is an example. Eventually every surface in the world will be a display of some sort.

- Nicholas Negroponte
Chairman, One Laptop Per Child
http://laptop.org

Chinese Wine Market

According to wine merchants, Berry Brothers & Rudd, China is set to become the world's largest producer of bulk wine in 50 years time as well as a major force in fine wine + global warming will cause a radical shake-up of the industry. Can the Europeans, especially the French, Americans, and Australians compete with the Chinese?

Useful link:
www.bbr.com

In 50 years, consumers will ask for wine by the brand name or flavour and won't know, or care, where it has come from.
- Jasper Morris

Ivory Update

The standing committee of the UN's Convention on Endangered Species (Cites) is meeting in Geneva to discuss Asian tiger farming, the export of mahogany from the Amazon basin and a proposal to allow China to import elephant ivory. Many experts believe elephant ivory is a booming black-market commodity worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and China is the biggest customer. I think giving China the right to import more ivory legally will simply fuel the black market.

Useful link:
www.cites.org

The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is the best science museum in the world. Inside there are hundred of exhibits, it's an educational fun house and an experimental laboratory all rolled into one. Explore Virtual Unreality in the Seeing Gallery. Seeing is believing. Don't miss it.

Useful link:
www.exploratorium.edu

Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan is an artist who captures the real world with his camera + the vivid cool visuals are brilliant + the message is clear.

Useful link:
www.chrisjordan.com