Hans Rosling

Hans Rosling, the founder of Gapminder, makes highly complex data understandable (interactive and enjoyable graphics) to the general public. Go to www.gapminder.org for further information. I liked it.

Beautiful Art = Painkiller

The research carried out by Professor Marina de Tommaso's team on the healing effects of a beautiful piece of art + other viewpoints @ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/09/17/sciart117.xml was educational and insightful.

Useful links:
www.newscientist.com
www.uniba.it

Heard On The Street

I'm not sure it's the bottom yet. Every time someone says we're at the bottom, things get a bit worse.

Random Thoughts

The line separating investment and speculation, which is never bright and clear, becomes blurred still further when most market participants have recently enjoyed triumphs. Nothing sedates rationality like large doses of effortless money. After a heady experience of that kind, normally sensible people drift into behavior akin to that of Cinderella at the ball. They know that overstaying the festivities -- that is, continuing to speculate in companies that have gigantic valuations relative to the cash they are likely to generate in the future -- will eventually bring on pumpkins and mice. But they nevertheless hate to miss a single minute of what is one helluva party. Therefore, the giddy participants all plan to leave just seconds before midnight. There's a problem, though: They are dancing in a room in which the clocks have no hands.

- Warren Buffett

How true!

Wine Library TV

Kermit Pattison's article on Gary Vaynerchuk + the power of social media/Web TV + building business via personal branding + other viewpoints @ http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/09/interview-gary-vaynerchuk.html was educational and insightful.

Useful links:
http://tv.winelibrary.com
http://garyvaynerchuk.com

CleanTech 100

Learn more about 2008 Guardian/Library House CleanTech 100 @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/table/2008/sep/18/cleantech100fulllist.cleantechnology100

A Brief Tour Of Human Consciousness

A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness: From Impostor Poodles to Purple Numbers by V. S. Ramachandran is a fascinating book on neuroscience + the brain–mind puzzle + emotional responses. A must read.

Useful links:

http://psy.ucsd.edu/chip/ramabio.html

http://psy.ucsd.edu/chip

Coral Conservation

As one of the world’s leading jewelers, Tiffany & Co has been at the forefront supporting research focused on coral reef systems. I think consumers and retailers (still sadly unaware of the global destruction of coral) need further education on the ecological and economic impacts of wildlife trade.

Useful links:
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov
www.coralreef.noaa.gov
www.reefrelief.org

Hats off to Tiffany & Co Foundation!