Leonardo Notarbartolo's Story

Milanese authorities found Leonardo Notarbartolo, the man accused of masterminding the world’s biggest diamond heist, in possession of approximately 2.2 pounds of rough, uncut diamonds.

Great story, but diamonds are nearly impossible to tag/trace. I completely agree with Joshua Davis. If you can’t prove that the diamonds are stolen, then you would logically have to give the diamonds back to the owner. Stay tuned.

Useful link:
www.joshuadavis.net

Why Raindrops Come In Many Sizes

I have always wanted to ask this question. Now, by filming one falling raindrop, researchers in France have explained why the drops are an array of so many different sizes. Emmanuel Villermaux from Aix-Marseille University explained it well. Thanks.

Random Thoughts

There was a time when a fool and his money were soon parted, but now it happens to everybody.

- Adlai Stevenson

Spot on.

Harnessing Networks

Harnessing Networks to Create Value and Identify New Opportunities by Paul R. Kleindorfer, Yoram (Jerry) Wind was interesting. It was all about open innovation + engaging/learning via social experiments so that the key players are able to modify and move forward to generate new opportunities.

Space Exploration

July 20, 1969: One Small Step. One Giant Leap. Forty years ago, NASA put a man on the moon. What does the next 40 years hold for the world’s premiere space agency? Space exploration volunteers wanted (The catch? It's a one-way ticket). The next generation of astronauts may hurtle through the cosmos for years or decades on a mission to explore distant planets and stars – and never return. For some it would be an offer they can't refuse.

Burma Gem Sales and Statistics

Check out Pala’s Burma Gem Sales and Statistics. Educational/insightful.

Strange Habits

For Sale: One Leopard-Skin Rolex and Maybe Some Frozen Sharks. When a Mexican drug lord gets busted, what happens to his emerald-encrusted pistols? Read on. What really intrigued me was the Mexican narco-bling: A Rolex watch and band custom-jeweled to resemble leopard's skin; De La Cour watches featuring skull or marijuana-leaf motifs; a pair of gold pistol grips with raised eagle busts adorned with diamonds and emeralds. Perhaps reflecting proximity of death for many drug traffickers, often the jewels have religious themes, such as a palm-sized gold and diamond necklace ornament depicting St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes.

Seven Pleasures

Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness by Willard Spiegelman was simply pleasurable. A must read.