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Monday, September 29, 2008

Heard On The Street

I’m of the opinion that the market is going to go where it goes + there are going to be many speculative opportunities in the near future.

Opal Horizon

Check out Opal Horizon (Australian opal exploration/mining company) @ www.opalhorizon.com

Innovation Awards 2008

The 2008 Technology Innovation Awards + the impact + other viewpoints @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122227003788371453.html was insightful.

Useful link:
www.dowjones.com/innovation

Priceless Find

I found the archaeological discovery of coins and items from a 500-year-old Portuguese shipwreck found off Namibia's rough southern coast + the cultural uniqueness + viewpoints @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/namibiaportugalarchaeologyshipping interesting.

Useful links:
www.namdeb.com
www.grnnet.gov.na

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Edward Helmore's article on Nassim Nicholas Taleb and his views on the global financial crisis + black swan theory/the impact @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/28/businessandfinance.philosophy was insightful.

Useful link:
www.fooledbyrandomness.com

While peasants know they can't predict the future, Wall Street bankers believe they can. Banks hire dull people and train them to be even more dull. If they look conservative, it's only because their loans go bust on rare, very rare occasions. Bankers are not conservative at all. They are just phenomenally skilled at self-deception by burying the possibility of a large, devastating loss under the rug. 'The banking system, betting against black swans, has lost more than $1 trillion - more than was ever made in the history of banking.
- Nassim Taleb

He was spot on.

Ghislain de Preaulx-Carlo

The Economist article about Ghislain de Preaulx-Carlo and her unique nursery garden at Domaine des Rochettes in rural France @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12322870 was brilliant. I liked it. They were beautiful.

Useful link:
www.artcurial.com

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Random Thoughts

Most people in sales get so caught up in their own needs - 'I gotta make this sale!' - that they don't listen to the customer's pain. What discomfort is the potential buyer feeling? During tough economic times, for example, people will buy luxury items like jewelry. Why? To make themselves feel better. Your product can help alleviate the customer's pain, but only if you can figure out where it hurts.

- Dr. G. Clotaire Rapaille
www.rapailleinstitute.com

I've learned something interesting today.

The Criminal Brain

The Criminal Brain: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime by Nicole Rafter is an insightful book about the causes of criminal behavior. A must read.

Useful link: