Random Thoughts

You need to listen to adversaries and understand where they are coming from. Then find a way to find common ground with them. After all these years of working with different groups, I've gotten comfortable with Mick Jagger's idea that you don't always get what you want, but you get what you need.

- Jim Rogers
www.duke-energy.com

Spot on.

Asteroid Impact Craters

The asteroid impact craters actually looked like beautiful sculptures. Check out this link http://geology.com/meteor-impact-craters.shtml

Project Colorblind

I found Continuum's project Colorblind very interesting. Find out what they have discovered. www.dcontinuum.com

Artificial Leaf Project

I found the artificial leaf project intriguing. If all goes well, the researchers could eventually mimic, photosynthesis, and build artificial systems that can do the same to generate clean fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. These would then be used in fuel cells to make electricity or directly to power super-clean vehicles. Brilliant.

Useful links:
www.bio.ic.ac.uk/research/Barber
http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/dgn/www
www.ukerc.ac.uk

London Jewel Heist

How could the two robbers armed with handguns get away with 43 jewels and watches worth £40m? Hard to believe, really.

Useful link:
www.graffdiamonds.com

Lord Of War Update

A Thai court has rejected a US request for the extradition of Viktor Bout, an alleged Russian arms dealer a.k.a the 'Merchant of Death'. He is believed to have inspired Nicolas Cage's character in the 2005 film 'Lord of War'. He appeared on UN Security Council resolution travel ban list - along with the then Liberian President Charles Taylor and some of his ministers - as 'Victor Anatoljevitch Bout alias Butt, Bont, Buttee, Boutov, Sergitov Vitali', and was described thus: 'Businessman, dealer and transporter of weapons and minerals. Arms dealer in contravention of UNSC resolution 1343. Supported former President Charles Taylor's regime in efforts to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain illicit access to diamonds.' This is Thailand (TIT). Stay tuned.

­Peabody Essex Museum

The ­Peabody Essex Museum is exhibiting a visiting collection of work that reveals the very foundation of maritime painting—70 seascapes by Dutch contemporaries of Rembrandt and Vermeer. Don't miss. Thanks B L Scherer.

Useful link:
www.pem.org

Global Business BBC

In the latest edition Peter Day talks to Sunny George Verghese, Group Managing Director and CEO, Olam International about globalization and its impact on branding. Spot on.

Useful link:
www.olamonline.com