Academic Earth

You can audit classes from the comfort of your computer. Try it. http://academicearth.org

Puer Tea 2009

There is Champagne, France; Tequila, Mexico; and Parma, Italy — all places turned trade names known for their unique, high-quality foods. Now, if China has its way, there could be another: Puer. It is already a hit in South East Asia, Europe and the U.S.A. Caveat Emptor! Look out for fakes.

Campbell Bridges: A Remembrance

Rest well, old friend, and save a few stones for the rest of us when we join you, wherever you are. Joel E. Arem.

Love And Lies

I was really intrigued by the clever deceits of orchids and their reproductive strategy. Michael Pollan's article in the National Geographic on orchids was brilliant. I have learned a lot.

Useful link:

www.michaelpollan.com

Gone In 39 Seconds

It has been reported that six robbers with hammers and helmets on, to avoid any potential exposure from closed circuit camera footage, were able to rob ₤2 million ($3.28 million) worth of goods from Mozaferain Jewellers in London. Why do you want to be in the jewelry business in London? You are unprotected. Even if you have security, what could you do to them? Sad, really.

The Climate Group Report

How much carbon dioxide do computers emit? According to a report published by the Climate Group, computers, printers, mobile phones and the widgets that accompany them accounted for the emission of 830m tonnes of carbon dioxide around the world in 2007. We are indulging right now in activity that is equally as polluting as air travel: using a computer. Shocking, really. www.theclimategroup.org

Innovalight

Brian Korgel's new product, the so-called solar ink was interesting. Instead of installing solar panels on your roof, you could spray solar ink all over the rooftop and sun-facing walls of your home to generate energy. I can hardly wait to see it.

Useful link:
www.innovalight.com

Hybrid Thinking

Dev Patnaik's opinion piece in Wired on hybrid thinking was interesting. As he rightly put it, innovation demands that you see the world through multiple lenses at the same time, and draw meaning from seemingly disparate points of data.

Useful link:
www.jumpassociates.com