Super Diamonds

Naked Science examines the history of diamonds, and sheds light on how they may change the future. Don't miss the program (National Geographic Channel, September 7, 2009).

The Campaign For Drawing

Ruskin would probably say that drawing makes you really look at things in a way that you wouldn't otherwise, and that is absolutely right. Why I also think that it is worth at least starting to draw is that you might enjoy it, and if you enjoyed it at least half as much as I have, you would be on to a good thing. A sort of revelation to me with the Campaign for Drawing was that a lot of the time you didn't have to encourage people to draw; it was sufficient to tell them they are allowed to do it, and off they go.

- Quentin Blake
www.quentinblake.com

So true!

Useful link:
www.campaignfordrawing.org

The Manhattan Couture Collection

The tale behind New York’s 11 iconic jewelry masterpieces was inspiring. Manhattan collection of jewelry comprises of both a Museum Collection and a Couture Collection. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.jewelry.com

British Library Sound Archive

The British Library has made 28,000 rare recordings available free online. The British Library Sound Archive is one of the largest sound archives in the world and holds over one million discs and 200,000 tapes. http://sounds.bl.uk

Kenya's Gem Trade

BBC Swahili service's Kenneth Mungai report about the dark underside of Kenya's precious stones trade was true. Gem mining/trading is for the thick-skinned only. You often pay a heavy price for everything.

Art Market Update

Souren Milikian's report in the New York Times on the state of the art market was spot on. Far from sagging, prices have held up during the recession. New auction records were set throughout the first half of 2009. So, newcomers might conclude, here is the dream area for investors. Sadly, there is a snag. If investment means spending cash in the hope of making a profit on the basis of careful calculation, using objective data and dependable measuring instruments, then investment is the wrong word. There are no identical units in art, because no two works are ever absolutely similar, making exact calculation impossible. So true! May be gem dealers should read the special report on investment in art (The Treacherous Lure of the Art Market, September 4, 2009, NYT).

How We Die

How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland is an insightful book about the human encounter of the dying process. Modern life is so clean and orderly, people expect to die with dignity. This may be wishful thinking. He addresses honestly mankind's greatest fear. A must read.

Open Video

Open video could be the next great wave in web innovation. David Talbot's opinion piece in Technology Review was insightful. Thanks David.