Annie Leonard Update

Annie Leonard, the genius behind The Story of Stuff and The Story of Cap and Trade, has released The Story of Bottled Water just in time for World Water Day. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.storyofstuff.com

App Entrepreneur

Mark Gregory's viewpoints in BBC News about new type of entrepreneurs a.k.a app developers was a brilliant piece. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://pocketgod.blogspot.com
www.admob.com

Coral Update

According to a news release from ocean conservation organization SeaWeb, the vote to protect red and pink coral failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority at the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Sixty-four countries voted in favor of protection, 59 against it and 10 abstained. Definitely a step backward for the long-term survival of red and pink coral, really.

Useful links:
www.seaweb.org
www.cites.org
www.tooprecioustowear.org

Bostor Art Theft

John Wilson's report in BBC News about the Gardner robbery was interesting.

Useful link:
www.gardnermuseum.org

Doorway Photos

The doorway photos were brilliant. They are truly real windows into other cultures. Here are 23 of the best images. Many thanks to Budget Travel.

Useful link:
www.budgettravel.com

Gambler's Book Shop

For all things gambling related. Check it out. www.gamblersbookshop.com

Human Rights Watch Update

Loubna Freih Georges/Walter Stresemann's viewpoints in Rapaport News about blood diamonds + Switzerland's role in the global and domestic jewelry trade was educational and insightful. My view is retailers and wholesalers should refuse to purchase diamonds that originated in Marange. Those in the jewelry industry should have genuine certificates attesting the stones' legitimacy. Period.

Useful links:
www.baselworld.com
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.hrw.org

Random Thoughts

Our culture is celebrity obsessed. We live and breathe famous people. We read magazines to see what they are doing and watch television channels devoted to their comings and goings. When are own lives do not seem nearly interesting enough we look to the famous few who live their splendidly isolated lives – isolated from any semblance of reality – and we think to ourselves, if only we were more like them.

- IdexOnline
www.idexonline.com

So true!