The OneGeology Project

The OneGeology project takes local geological information and makes it global. I think when the geological maps become detailed companies may be able to find earth's exploitable resources, such as minerals and oil via appropriate technology.

Useful links:
www.onegeology.org
www.bgs.ac.uk

Harmonizing Anti-Money Laundering Rules

Chaim Even Zohar writes about OECD’s FATF document + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

A must read.

Fake Diamond Rough

(via Bangkok Post, Friday August 01, 2008): A stolen stone, which the owner claimed was a 2,100-carat uncut diamond valued at 315 million baht has been found to be a fake worth just a few hundred baht. According to Somchai Pornjindarak, president of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, said the stolen item was not a diamond, but merely a cubic zirconia, or artificial diamond.

A real comedy show. I was at the site (the gem testing laboratory) in Bangkok when the media broke the news.

Art Update Asia

Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop writes about art projects by international artists presented at an exhibition held during the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) 2008 + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/01/arts/jessop.php

A must read.

Useful link:
www.isea2008singapore.org

I think electronic art is niche within the niche. We will be seeing more spinoffs in the coming years.

The Climate Group Report

According to a report by the Climate Group, China is on the way to overtaking developed countries in creating clean technologies. Go to www.theclimategroup.org for further information.

Lithium Debate

I found Danny Bradbury's article on lithium + other viewpoints @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/31/motoring.energy interesting.

Go to www.worldlithium.com/An_Abundance_of_Lithium_1.html for further information.

Data from USGS puts total world resources of lithium metal at around 14m tonnes. The total world resource includes all the lithium metal we know about, whether it is commercially viable to extract it or not. But the USGS data is based on a 1976 National Research Council report. A lot has changed in 32 years. Back then, most lithium came from a mineral called spodumene.

Random Thoughts

I’ve had the good fortune of being around smart investors my whole life, including my father. But I’d have to say learning from what works and what doesn’t is how you really become a better investor. In the end, the market is the best teacher.

- Wayne Cooperman

Heard On The Street

How big is the free economy? Whichever definition you like, there's a lot of money to be made around free.