Elusive Search for the Bottom: Housing Market Update
posted by Rayman Mathoda on November 03, 2008 at 11:48 AM
A lot of people around me, especially those focused on buying real estate as an investment in this historically challenging real estate market, are obsessed with when US home prices will “bottom out”. I believe people sometimes focus on finding the lowest home price at the expense of other equally important economic factors such as the cost of construction/”fixing the place” and financing costs…both of which are at historic lows right now, and thought I’d share some of the latest news/information relevant to this topic:
Continue reading "Elusive Search for the Bottom: Housing Market Update"
Speculation and accountability in the real estate market
posted by Rayman Mathoda on October 30, 2008 at 05:27 PM
It is a well known fact that most if not all asset bubbles are characterized by significant speculative investment activity (and by this I mean investors with very short investment timeframes and expectations). And this was certainly true of the US housing market (and other overinflated housing markets globally) over the last few years. It’s impossible to know exactly how much of the housing market was driven by speculation, as no agency tracks this issue…and even if they tried, it’s impossible to verify someone’s intent. But I sit back and wonder if our society has gotten too lax on “personal accountability”.
Continue reading "Speculation and accountability in the real estate market"
Is the Global Credit Crunch going to help to Save the Planet?
posted by DK Matai on October 28, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Dear Friends, it would be useful to have your considered input in regard to the following: "Is the Global Credit Crunch going to help to Save the Planet?"
Continue reading "Is the Global Credit Crunch going to help to Save the Planet?"
One simple idea for ending price discrimination in health care
posted by Rayman Mathoda on October 27, 2008 at 09:36 AM
2 women walk into a hospital with acute stomach pain. One is a highly paid lawyer at a top law firm who is covered by her company’s health insurance plan and the other is a working class American without health insurance. Both women get the exact same diagnostic tests and medical care, and both stay in the hospital for the exact same number of nights. Do the two women pay the same amount for the health care they consume (in total, including payments made by the insurance company on behalf of the lawyer who has health insurance)? Likely not, if the above happens in the USA.
Continue reading "One simple idea for ending price discrimination in health care"
My 2 Cents On The Issue of Mortgage Fraud
posted by Rayman Mathoda on October 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I worked at Indymac Bank for a little over 4 years till July 2008 when - after the FDIC took management control of the Bank after a “run on the Bank” was (unfortunately) triggered by Senator Schumer’s leaked WSJ letter (discussed in a prior blog) - I resigned from my position as Chief Administrative Officer. My role had put me in charge of the “People” and “Expense/Cost” functions of the Company…but thankfully (I guess – given the massive blame game going on against anyone involved in the lending industry) I was not involved in any way with making loans.
Continue reading "My 2 Cents On The Issue of Mortgage Fraud"
Schumer triggers Indymac failure....why?
posted by Rayman Mathoda on October 18, 2008 at 02:22 PM
In late June this summer, about 2 weeks before the “failure” (i.e., inability to continue to be in business without third party support) of my ethical and well run employer Indymac Bank, I – then a Senior Executive at the Company - read in horror a letter that New York Senator Charles Schumer had sent to two key regulatory bodies - the Office of Thrift Supervision (Indymac’s primary regulator) and the FDIC - and that his office had “leaked” to the Wall Street Journal. We had been fighting hard to adapt/save our business and as many jobs as possible for 12 hard months since the capital markets froze up in the summer of 2007....and this Schumer letter looked like a possible death warrant for our business. "When it rains, it really pours", I thought.
Continue reading "Schumer triggers Indymac failure....why?"
The Question of Trust: Beyond Paulson's Bold Plan
posted by ATCA on September 21, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Dr Harald Malmgren, Chief Executive, Malmgren Global, based in Washington, DC -- an internationally recognised expert on world trade and investment flows who has worked with four US Presidents -- and the ATCA Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) based in Canary Wharf, London, for their joint submission.
Continue reading "The Question of Trust: Beyond Paulson's Bold Plan"
Havoc from UDS 65+ Trillion Credit Default Swaps
posted by DK Matai on September 18, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Growth in Credit Default Swaps from 2001 to 2007
Dear Friends, it would be useful to have your considered input in regard to what havoc have the USD 65+ trillion of Credit Default Swaps (CDS) yet to create? Note Reference.
Continue reading "Havoc from UDS 65+ Trillion Credit Default Swaps"
AIG Downgrade, Wobble and General Confidence
posted by DK Matai on September 16, 2008 at 02:32 AM
Dear Friends, it would be useful to have your considered input in regard to the global implications of the AIG downgrade and share price wobble. What is it likely to do to general confidence?
Continue reading "AIG Downgrade, Wobble and General Confidence"
Consequences of Lehman Brothers Insolvency
posted by DK Matai on September 15, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Lehman Brothers Insolvent
Dear Friends, it would be useful to have your considered input in regard to the global implications of the Lehman Brothers insolvency.
Continue reading "Consequences of Lehman Brothers Insolvency"
4Cs: China, Commodities, Currencies, Correction
posted by DK Matai on August 17, 2008 at 11:09 PM
China Slow Down
Dear Friends, there are four Cs worth contemplating post the Olympics:
Continue reading "4Cs: China, Commodities, Currencies, Correction"
Outlook - Perspective - Meinung - Pensiero!
posted by DK Matai on August 04, 2008 at 11:01 PM
DK is cautiously optimistic and you? ...est prudemment optimiste et vous?... ist vorsichtig optimistisch und Sie? ...è cautamente ottimista e voi?
Continue reading "Outlook - Perspective - Meinung - Pensiero!"
Sustained & Rising Oil Price: Main Reason?
posted by ATCA on June 12, 2008 at 03:36 AM
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Prof Prabhu Guptara, Executive Director, Wolfsberg (UBS), Switzerland...
Continue reading "Sustained & Rising Oil Price: Main Reason?"
What is the Right Price for Oil?
posted by ATCA on June 09, 2008 at 02:16 AM
Dear Friends, oil prices staged their biggest one day advance on record to reach an all-time high of almost USD 140 on Friday.
Continue reading "What is the Right Price for Oil?"
High Oil Price Bubble -- Driven by Speculation?
posted by ATCA on June 06, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Peak Oil
Dear Friends, we are grateful to the distinguished ATCA contributor, Prof Lord Desai of St Clement Danes, from the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster...
Continue reading "High Oil Price Bubble -- Driven by Speculation?"
Towards a Golden Age? Wisdom Global Economy
posted by DK Matai on May 23, 2008 at 03:25 AM
Enabling a Wisdom based Global Economy
Dear Friends, the response to the ATCA briefing "The Super Inflation Freeze -- Abrupt Financial Climate Change?" from amongst the distinguished members, luminaries and friends of ATCA and The Philanthropia has been overwhelmingly positive and extremely impressive.
Continue reading "Towards a Golden Age? Wisdom Global Economy"
The Super Inflation Freeze -- Abrupt Financial Climate Change?
posted by DK Matai on May 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Super Inflation: German Marks Worthless (1920s)
Dear Friends, ever higher fuel and food prices are stirring up double-digit super inflation in an increasing number of countries across the world, while economic growth shows severe signs of faltering.
Continue reading "The Super Inflation Freeze -- Abrupt Financial Climate Change?"
Interspecies 'Semolina' crosses New Line: Where is evidence of benefit? Why ignore adult stem cells?
posted by ATCA on May 20, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Interspecies Hybrid
Dear Friends, we are grateful to the distinguished ATCA contributor, Lord Alton, from the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster for his response to Dr Moore's "Human-Animal Hybrid Experimentation -- The Opportunity for Asymmetric Intervention?"
Human-Animal Hybrid Experimentation -- The Opportunity for Asymmetric Intervention?
posted by ATCA on May 19, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Combining Animal Eggs with Human DNA
Dear Friends, we are grateful to the distinguished ATCA contributor, Dr Pete Moore, a Science Communicator and Author, for his addition to the Socratic dialogue in this regard.
Demographics, Infrastructure and Investment Flows -- Where and Why? India versus China
posted by DK Matai on May 18, 2008 at 02:40 AM
The World including India & China
Dear Friends, while demographics and other longer-term factors have led to a rise in commodity prices, the dramatic spike over the past three months has more to do with investment flows and allocation of smart capital.
Lebanon & Ten Fundamental Mega-Trends in the Middle East -- Potential for Multiple Black Swans?
posted by DK Matai on May 10, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Future TV under attack, Beirut
Dear Friends, the international community is waking up to the shock of the "yellow topple" Hezbollah power grab which threatens to change the fundamentals in Lebanon as well as the Levant, and more broadly across the Middle East.
USD 200 Oil Super Spike: What Consequences?
posted by ATCA on May 10, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Global Oil Super Spike
Dear Friends, most analysts laughed when Goldman Sachs predicted that oil would go to USD 100 a barrel more than two years ago. Brent crude is around USD 124 a barrel at present.
Continue reading "USD 200 Oil Super Spike: What Consequences?"
The Second Burma Black Swan -- Nargis -- A Wake up Call for The World? Global Risk Management
posted by ATCA on May 10, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Cyclone Nargis, Burma
Dear Friends, the second grotesque tragedy unfolding in Burma in less than a year post the political turmoil -- with 60,000+ dead and millions left homeless post cyclone Nargis -- is just one of the many examples...
One Universe or Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes?
posted by DK Matai on May 07, 2008 at 02:06 AM
One Universe: Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes
Dear Friends, in response to "Is the World Really Flat?" Vernon Collins from New York has written, "DK, its neither flat nor round nor in a parallel dimension ... its a universe that each individual lives in and plays and exists within..."
Continue reading "One Universe or Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes?"
Is the World Really Flat? Global Fuel, Food and Finance Crises
posted by DK Matai on May 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Dear Friends, it has been a long march since Thomas Friedman declared the world to be flat. This thinking may have its boundary conditions, which are now being tested as the global fuel, food and finance crises loom ever larger.
Continue reading "Is the World Really Flat? Global Fuel, Food and Finance Crises"
The Emerging Golden Triangle of SMEC: Singapore, Middle East and China?
posted by DK Matai on May 02, 2008 at 01:01 AM
and Wealth Management Strategy
The Merlion, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Singapore, Middle East and China (SMEC) are together configuring the emerging Golden Triangle of strategic long term investment & global wealth management ...
Continue reading "The Emerging Golden Triangle of SMEC: Singapore, Middle East and China?"
Fighting Fire with Fire? The Limits to Knowledge in Financial (Re)Engineering
posted by ATCA on May 01, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Prof Joseph Mason, a distinguished ATCA Contributor; Senior Fellow at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania...
Continue reading "Fighting Fire with Fire? The Limits to Knowledge in Financial (Re)Engineering"
The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan)
posted by ATCA on April 30, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Balance-of-Power & Disruptive Transformation
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Bill Emmott, the former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, for his submission to ATCA , "The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan) -- Balance-of-Power and Disruptive Transformation." He writes:
Continue reading "The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan)"
Love: St Francis of Assisi, Zurbarán and Watt
posted by DK Matai on April 28, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Dear Friends, St Francis of Assisi is a huge inspiration in our lives. Contemplate the intensity in this painting, which took four years to complete:
Miniature of Saint Francis in Meditation (1635-9)
by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664)
Continue reading "Love: St Francis of Assisi, Zurbarán and Watt"
21 Dec 2012: Golden Age or End of the World?
posted by DK Matai on April 26, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Dear Friends, when many around the world begin talking about a specific date over and over again as if it were the end of the world, then perhaps it is the dawn of The Golden Age utterly misinterpreted, dilating our attention away from the One!
Mayan Calendar Miniature
Continue reading "21 Dec 2012: Golden Age or End of the World?"
Recipe for Financial (In)Stability?
posted by DK Matai on April 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Recapitalisation has been the resonant word in capital markets this week as investors weigh up the benefits of Royal Bank of Scotland's GBP 12bn rights issue, Europe's largest ever stock offering to all existing shareholders. Banks going through a recapitalisation process are eager to repair their balance sheets.
Continue reading "Recipe for Financial (In)Stability?"
Black Swan: Could the Chinese Anti-West Boycott Over Tibet Backfire?
posted by DK Matai on April 20, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Dear Friends, ordinary Chinese are participating in a popular backlash against Western support for Tibet...
Continue reading "Black Swan: Could the Chinese Anti-West Boycott Over Tibet Backfire?"
Why Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti?
posted by DK Matai on April 18, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti
Dear Friends, it is giving us sleepless nights and increasingly becoming heart rending to note that people are having to eat mud cakes in Haiti - cakes made of margarine, mud & salt - to keep hunger at bay...
Continue reading "Why Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti?"
Enronitis Strikes Again? Off-balance-sheet vehicles under scrutiny; capital adequacy ratios undermined
posted by DK Matai on April 17, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Basel Capital Accord, Switzerland
Dear Friends, remember Enron? Remember the fuss over off-balance-sheet vehicles? Well, we appear to have turned three corners since then, and are back to where we started from! In the latest leg of the Great Unwind...
Food Security: Why has the Global Food Crisis reached Emergency Proportions?
posted by DK Matai on April 14, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Dear Friends, why has the global food crisis reached emergency proportions? Increased demand, bio-fuel policies and markets speculation, all provide some key reasons. It is a tough world getting tougher for the poorest. Starvation and hunger are multiplying for many despite plenty for some...
Continue reading "Food Security: Why has the Global Food Crisis reached Emergency Proportions?"
Olympic Torch: China's Power Projection and India
posted by ATCA on April 10, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Olympic Torch Protest, San Francisco
Dear Friends, it is important to understand the underlying reasons -- and geo-political implications -- for the vehement protests that have taken place in regard to the China Olympic torch relay in Athens, Istanbul, St Petersburg, London, Paris and now San Francisco.
Continue reading "Olympic Torch: China's Power Projection and India"
Coming Out Clean! Wisdom based Global Economy
posted by DK Matai on April 09, 2008 at 09:20 AM
We have a simple vision: To build a Wisdom based Global Economy! In order to build sustainability and longevity, we have to understand collectively the risks and opportunities of modern capitalism. Look what Richard Thomas states (#2) on Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?, "...I doubt there are many on the planet that can fathom or comprehend the changes and transformation that are coming and the speed at which it will occur. The current financial systems are going to be replaced..."
Continue reading "Coming Out Clean! Wisdom based Global Economy"
Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?
posted by DK Matai on April 08, 2008 at 04:50 AM
Dear Friends, it was immensely valuable to participate in the recent Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) summit jointly organised by the OECD and the City of London. The subject of SWFs is increasingly significant and includes several thorny issues...
Continue reading "Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?"
Humbled with Thanks
posted by DK Matai on April 02, 2008 at 05:34 AM
Dear Friends, we are humbled by this feedback (#16) from Char, in regard to "An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility" so here it is... "...DK's posts mostly seem to be about all the doom and gloom of the world, so I try to stay away. Maybe it's just me???... Plus, as stated in this post, all that economic talk is more than what I want to know as a laywoman, as I assume others might find it not enough, if they are interested."
Continue reading "Humbled with Thanks"
An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility
posted by DK Matai on March 29, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Dear Friends, we rather enjoyed this feedback (#2) from Heather Quinn, in regard to "Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?" so here it is... "DK, oh please can you be more merciful with us? Less verbose and numerical, and more chatty? Because we can get to the depths and details of things just fine, but it's nice to start out slow and easy, and get there after a few steps. As a busy person, I find I resist reading anything long and intense, because my own life is intense enough already..."
Continue reading "An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility"
Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?
posted by DK Matai on March 27, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Icelandic Krona
Dear Friends, Iceland is described as a Nordic hedge fund masquerading as a country! Like many hedge funds, Iceland is now in trouble. Their central bank was forced to raise interest rates to 15% this week...
Continue reading "Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?"
Human-Animal Synthetic Organisms
posted by DK Matai on March 24, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Dear Friends, after 10 years of stem cell research, scientists are now facing difficulty with cell therapy from the present human embryonic stem cell experimentation. The next phase involves human-animal combinations via Chimeras, Hybrids and Cybrids.
Continue reading "Human-Animal Synthetic Organisms"
China-Tibet Inflation Black Swan's Global Implication
posted by ATCA on March 20, 2008 at 04:43 AM
Riots in Tibet
"The most dramatic change on the landscape is neither the recent failure of Bear Stearns nor the dramatic action taken by the Fed in response to it. The most important development on the global economic landscape is that the inflation problem in China is now so great that it is giving rise to social unrest on a scale that requires a military response."
Continue reading "China-Tibet Inflation Black Swan's Global Implication"
The Great Unwind near The Speed of Light
posted by DK Matai on March 16, 2008 at 03:22 AM
Having stopped at a traffic light just going red, it suddenly became clear that the Great Unwind is now beginning to take place near the speed of light generating financial hurricanes and twisters of category five with several "New Orleans" equivalents in target range. The near failure of large American investment banks and insurance groups, is the clearest "red alert" signal yet...
Continue reading "The Great Unwind near The Speed of Light"
Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the iceberg?
posted by DK Matai on March 14, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Dear Friends, Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the systemic risk iceberg?
Continue reading "Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the iceberg?"
Virtual Worlds & Second Lives' Asymmetric Threats?
posted by DK Matai on March 05, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Dear Friends, the US government has begun a project -- codenamed Reynard -- to develop ways to spot extremists who are using virtual worlds like Second Life, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty 4 and others.
Continue reading "Virtual Worlds & Second Lives' Asymmetric Threats?"
Genetically Modified/Engineered Organisms & Food
posted by DK Matai on March 03, 2008 at 08:53 AM
The Opportunity and Risk of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEO) & Food
Dear Friends, we are assessing the risk of genetically modified/engineered organisms including food in the coming decades, what are your views?
Continue reading "Genetically Modified/Engineered Organisms & Food"
Denial of Inflation and Impact on Stability
posted by DK Matai on February 26, 2008 at 04:56 AM
Dear Friends, we have in the past highlighted the dual problem of rising inflation, coupled with the slowing of growth, leading to stagflation. Despite a very clear set of data that show a sharp acceleration in inflationary pressures across the world, there is a rampant denial that these pressures are worth worrying about.
Continue reading "Denial of Inflation and Impact on Stability"
CDS -- Next Domino of The Global Credit Crunch?
posted by DK Matai on February 25, 2008 at 02:07 AM
The increasingly large dark cloud looming on the financial markets horizon is the threat of Credit Default Swaps (CDS) derivatives risk, which is likely to dwarf the sub-prime crisis when in full play. The global market for CDSs has rocketed over the past four years as they have been widely utilised by the thinly capitalised off-balance sheet vehicles created and/or utilised by large financial institutions -- banks, insurance and reinsurance groups, hedge and investment funds.
Continue reading "CDS -- Next Domino of The Global Credit Crunch?"
Arctic Commons: Giant Oil Frontier or Catastrophe?
posted by DK Matai on February 21, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Dear Friends, the Arctic sea bed holds billions of barrels of oil and natural gas -- up to 25% of the world's undiscovered reserves according to the US Geological Survey. Oil experts are calling the region the next Saudi Arabia. There is rising access to the trillion dollars in oil and natural gas reserves beneath the semi-frozen sea. Is it right to profit from this bounty...
Continue reading "Arctic Commons: Giant Oil Frontier or Catastrophe?"
Expert Wealth Management Contributions
posted by DK Matai on February 20, 2008 at 03:07 AM
2. Northern Rock Debacle
Dear Friends, we are grateful to receive expert wealth management contributions to the following two Open ATCA Socratic Dialogues:
Continue reading "Expert Wealth Management Contributions"
The Northern Rock Debacle and More to Come?
posted by DK Matai on February 18, 2008 at 12:43 AM
and Free Market Economics
Dear Friends, the UK finance minister, Chancellor Alistair Darling, is due to put forward emergency legislation in Parliament to nationalise Northern Rock, the infamous "non-bank" bank, which became the picture poster victim of the global credit crunch in September 2007. Northern Rock suffered the first run on a British bank in 140 years.
Continue reading "The Northern Rock Debacle and More to Come?"
Shift Happens: Globalisation & The Information Age
posted by DK Matai on February 12, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Dear Friends, this Socratic dialogue opens with a video which can be viewed via the following web page:
Continue reading "Shift Happens: Globalisation & The Information Age"
The Mistake of Biofuels? Rising Food&Fuel Inflation
posted by DK Matai on February 10, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Dear Friends, in the US, the benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists have taken a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production. These plant-based fuels were originally billed as better than fossil fuels because the carbon released when they were burned was balanced by the carbon absorbed when the plants grew.
Continue reading "The Mistake of Biofuels? Rising Food&Fuel Inflation"
Water Security -- "Water Wars" in the 21st Century
posted by DK Matai on February 03, 2008 at 01:13 AM
The World Bank has noted, "The wars of the [21st] century will be about water." The argument that environmental degradation will lead to conflict is a well established concern of international studies, and it dominates the literature on environmental security.
Continue reading "Water Security -- "Water Wars" in the 21st Century"
Where are the FBI and SEC Investigations Leading?
posted by DK Matai on January 29, 2008 at 03:59 PM
. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened criminal investigations into 14 companies relating to improper subprime mortgage loans. The probes involve potential violations, including accounting fraud and insider trading.
Continue reading "Where are the FBI and SEC Investigations Leading?"
Understanding the World's Biggest Banking Fraud
posted by DK Matai on January 24, 2008 at 02:20 PM
The French banking giant Société Générale (SocGen) has suffered USD 10 billion of losses, the combination of a world record USD 7 billion fraud on the part of a single rogue futures trader in Paris and USD 3 billion in subprime exposure.
Continue reading "Understanding the World's Biggest Banking Fraud"
Surprise Fed Rate Cut Implications
posted by DK Matai on January 22, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Dear Friends, what are the implications of the US Federal Reserve's rate cut to 3.5%, a surprise 75 basis points reduction?
Continue reading "Surprise Fed Rate Cut Implications"
The Opportunity & Risk of Sovereign Wealth Funds
posted by DK Matai on January 19, 2008 at 01:19 AM
What are the implications of sovereign wealth funds acquiring substantial portions of large Western financial institutions?
Continue reading "The Opportunity & Risk of Sovereign Wealth Funds"
2008: The Inflexion Year with Positive Outcomes!
posted by DK Matai on December 21, 2007 at 01:46 AM
Dear Friends, Season's Greetings! Thank you for your well wishes and support in 2007. We wish to offer the following positive outcomes for 2008 with humility:
Continue reading "2008: The Inflexion Year with Positive Outcomes!"
Bali UNCCC - Fate of our Civilisation in the Balance
posted by DK Matai on December 04, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Bali United Nations Climate Change Conference -- The Fate of our Civilisation hangs in the Balance
Bali UNCCC 2007, Indonesia
Continue reading "Bali UNCCC - Fate of our Civilisation in the Balance"
2008 Risk Strategy
posted by DK Matai on December 01, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Which of the following 21st century asymmetric risks most concern you? Why and in which priority?
Continue reading "2008 Risk Strategy"
Out of Control California Fires: Visible from Space
posted by DK Matai on October 22, 2007 at 09:15 AM
A lull in winds fanning flames offers firefighters some respite as they battle to contain Southern California fires that have killed nine people, caused USD 1 bn in damage and scorched about 180,000 hectares.
Continue reading "Out of Control California Fires: Visible from Space"
Scientific Study of Drugs, Consciousness & Society
posted by DK Matai on October 20, 2007 at 11:55 PM
We are living in a time when large proportions of the population use controlled substances. Forty years of prohibition, costing hundreds of billions, has done nothing to truncate the use of drugs...
Continue reading "Scientific Study of Drugs, Consciousness & Society"
Boost for Countering Climate Chaos: Al Gore Nobel
posted by ATCA on October 12, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Nobel Peace Prize
Post winning an Oscar for his climate chaos film "An Inconvenient Truth," the former US vice-president Al Gore, 59, was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace prize jointly with the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Continue reading "Boost for Countering Climate Chaos: Al Gore Nobel"
Gene Pioneer "Creates" Artificial Life
posted by DK Matai on October 11, 2007 at 01:42 PM
"Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth."
Continue reading "Gene Pioneer "Creates" Artificial Life"
Aurora C: "Transparent Universe", War & Peace
posted by DK Matai on October 06, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Dear Friends, Aurora Carlson's IntentBlog response to Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions based on the "Transparent Universe" and redundancy of war enhancing life-machine hybrids if humanity were to concentrate on finding our inner source is worth noting...! How to change the uni-track "war" mindset of some nation states and their defence establishment? Any ideas? (The back is better, Todd!)
Continue reading "Aurora C: "Transparent Universe", War & Peace"
Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions
posted by DK Matai on October 06, 2007 at 01:38 AM
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) -- the original developer of the Internet in the 1960s -- has hatched plans for insect cyborgs to fly reconnaissance missions.
Continue reading "Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions"
Energy Crunch:Overlay of Peak Oil & Peak Uranium
posted by DK Matai on September 24, 2007 at 11:25 AM
The big elephant in the room is "high-growth global capitalism" based on access to cheap energy and money. The global credit crunch has only just begun and the price of oil has broken another record at USD 84 per barrel in New York recently. Cheap oil at an average of USD 25 per barrel is becoming a faint and distant memory. Some recent forecasts of oil prices are in excess of USD 100 in the short term and USD 125 per barrel in the medium term.
Continue reading "Energy Crunch:Overlay of Peak Oil & Peak Uranium"
US Federal Reserve cuts Interest Rates by 50 pips
posted by DK Matai on September 18, 2007 at 04:16 PM
The Federal Reserve -- the US central bank -- has cut the base interest rate by half a percent or 50 basis points (pips), from 5.25% to 4.75%. This is the first time the Fed has cut the funds rate since 2003.
Continue reading "US Federal Reserve cuts Interest Rates by 50 pips"
Breach-of-trust in computing platforms: black swans
posted by DK Matai on September 08, 2007 at 12:18 AM
In response to the query, "The Question of Trust" and the related infrastructure questions, which arise, I am humbled to submit the following contribution to the distinguished IntentBlog community. Please accept sincere apologies for all errors and omissions.
Continue reading "Breach-of-trust in computing platforms: black swans"
The Question of Trust & The Genesis of a Crisis
posted by DK Matai on September 07, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Dear Friends, what is trust? Your views are important and we are listening carefully. Trust may denote a feeling of certainty or faith, that a person or entity will not fail... and what else?
Continue reading "The Question of Trust & The Genesis of a Crisis"
Credit Card Debt Default - The Domino Crisis
posted by DK Matai on September 02, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Now that homeowners are increasingly unable to use the collateral of their homes as an easy to reach hole-in-the-wall, they are likely to dig into the next best alternative they have available, their arsenal of credit cards. Fears are mounting that credit card debt could soon spark a fresh crisis in the global financial system post the sub-prime meltdown.
Continue reading "Credit Card Debt Default - The Domino Crisis"
Central Bankers, Monetary Policy and Moral Hazard
posted by DK Matai on August 31, 2007 at 12:58 AM
The eyes of financial centres across the world are now turning to Jackson Hole in anticipation of a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Benjamin Bernanke. The Federal Reserve has held an end-of-summer symposium for central bankers, officials and academics for the past 31 years, 26 of which have been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Continue reading "Central Bankers, Monetary Policy and Moral Hazard"
Asymmetric Knowledge Risk and Liquidity Crisis
posted by DK Matai on August 24, 2007 at 12:55 PM
In the present global subprime credit crisis, we have entered an era in financial markets when knowledge -- trustworthy information -- becomes much more valuable than money or prevailing monetary conditions. Consider two interrelated questions:
Continue reading "Asymmetric Knowledge Risk and Liquidity Crisis"
Subprime Crisis Spreads: Regions and Sectors
posted by DK Matai on August 21, 2007 at 06:56 AM
US Subprime Crisis causes European Regional Banks to Wobble: Sachsen Landesbank announced that the German association of savings banks was making Euro 17.3 billion (USD 23.3 billion) available to the Saxony state bank to cover an affiliate that was suddenly unable to provide the credit it had pledged.
Continue reading "Subprime Crisis Spreads: Regions and Sectors"
Climate Chaos: Catastrophic Cat 5 Hurricane Dean
posted by DK Matai on August 20, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Continue reading "Climate Chaos: Catastrophic Cat 5 Hurricane Dean"
Convulsions, Japan's Strong Yen & Fed's Rate Cut
posted by DK Matai on August 17, 2007 at 02:36 PM
If last week was a few unwelcome flutters for financial markets, this week has been a series of traumatic downs and ups with convulsions. Major Central banks (except the Bank of England) have continued to pump liquidity into the money markets. Equity markets have been spooked by even the gentlest whisper of untoward news.
Continue reading "Convulsions, Japan's Strong Yen & Fed's Rate Cut"
Public Inquisition of Rating Agencies & Downturn
posted by DK Matai on August 16, 2007 at 09:16 AM
The worsening global credit situation has prompted French President Nicolas Sarkozy, holidaying in the US, to urge the Group of Seven (G7) industrial countries to monitor international financial markets better. In a letter to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, he called for an investigation into the role of rating agencies...
Continue reading "Public Inquisition of Rating Agencies & Downturn"
Markets Crisis: Systemic Risk & Sectoral Meltdown
posted by DK Matai on August 15, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Central bankers, global and regional financial institutions, large hedge funds and investors have been puzzled why prices across a wide spectrum of assets have moved down together over the last seven days or so. They should not be...
Continue reading "Markets Crisis: Systemic Risk & Sectoral Meltdown"
Large Quake Hits Quants & Market Correction
posted by DK Matai on August 14, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Goldman Sachs Group, the biggest US investment bank by market value, is to inject USD 2bn to bail out its Global Equity Opportunities (GEO) hedge fund after the investment bank's computer models failed to predict last week's market turbulence -- leading to losses of about USD 1.4bn, or more than 30 per cent of its value.
Continue reading "Large Quake Hits Quants & Market Correction"
Perfect Storm - Credit Freeze and Distress Selling
posted by DK Matai on August 12, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Now that the credit boom has officially gone bust and the financial markets are in meltdown, it's time to assess what is going wrong, and what has gone really wrong. By any stretch of the imagination...
Continue reading "Perfect Storm - Credit Freeze and Distress Selling"
Financial Markets: Contagion and Systemic Risk?
posted by DK Matai on August 10, 2007 at 02:10 AM
The European Central Bank has injected a record Euro 95 billion, post a major disturbance at BNP Paribas, along with concerted intervention from other central banks including the US Federal Reserve (USD 24 Billion) and the Bank of Japan (Yen 1 Tillion). Are we heading towards much broader contagion from the US sub-prime mortgage lending problems and systemic risk in the global financial system?
Continue reading "Financial Markets: Contagion and Systemic Risk?"
Is the Solo Superpower's Infrastructure Crumbling?
posted by DK Matai on August 02, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Whilst witnessing collapsing bridges (Minneapolis) to exploding streets (New York) the question that one begs to ask is obvious: "Is the Solo Super Power's Infrastructure Crumbling?" It is interesting to note that whilst America's eye has been on countering terrorism post 9/11, China et al have just built theirs.
Continue reading "Is the Solo Superpower's Infrastructure Crumbling?"
BA fines reach USD 550 million for Cartel practices
posted by DK Matai on August 01, 2007 at 11:34 AM
British Airways has been fined GBP 270m (USD 550m) - post admitting collusion in fixing the prices of fuel surcharges - by the US Department of Justice and the UK's Office of Fair Trading. Class actions begin...
Continue reading "BA fines reach USD 550 million for Cartel practices"
Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies C-PET
posted by ATCA on July 16, 2007 at 09:16 AM
We are grateful to Prof Nigel M de S Cameron, based in Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, DC, for "The Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies (C-PET)."
Continue reading "Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies C-PET"
Lord Howell: The Future is The Edge of Now
posted by ATCA on July 09, 2007 at 02:23 AM
We are grateful to The Lord Howell of Guildford, based at The Palace of Westminster, London, for "The Future is The Edge of Now -- Grasping The Internet Revolution links The Rest."
Continue reading "Lord Howell: The Future is The Edge of Now"
The Future of the Global Internet Economy
posted by DK Matai on July 07, 2007 at 01:29 AM
1. Vulnerability to Serious Attack; 2. Privacy and Freedom; 3. Bespoke News; 4. Health Care and Social Networks; 5. Rise of the Sovereign Individual.
Continue reading "The Future of the Global Internet Economy"
Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness & Transition
posted by ATCA on July 04, 2007 at 02:06 PM
We are grateful to John Petersen, based in Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia, for "Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness and Transition."
Continue reading "Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness & Transition"
Lord Howell: Out of the Energy Labyrinth
posted by ATCA on July 03, 2007 at 08:03 AM
We are grateful to Lord Howell at The Palace of Westminster for "Out of the Energy Labyrinth."
Continue reading "Lord Howell: Out of the Energy Labyrinth"
Black Swans Keynote: Geneva, Switzerland
posted by DK Matai on June 29, 2007 at 05:16 AM
The Low Probability High Impact Black Swan Events keynote delivered at the Global Risk Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, is now available...
Continue reading "Black Swans Keynote: Geneva, Switzerland"
India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation & Humility
posted by ATCA on June 29, 2007 at 04:26 AM
We are grateful to Mehmood Khan, Global Leader, Innovation Process Management, Unilever, based in London, UK, for India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation and Humility.
Continue reading "India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation & Humility"
Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in Universe
posted by ATCA on June 27, 2007 at 05:18 AM
We are grateful to Richard Thomas Gerber, CEO, Intelegen, based in Michigan, USA, for "Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in The Universe;" Mark Goyder, Founder, & Tony Manwaring, CEO, Tomorrow's Company, based in London, UK, for "Co-creation of Sustainable Frameworks with Humility;" and Aurora Carlson based on the West Coast, Sweden, for "Personal Transformation First."
Continue reading "Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in Universe"
Sam's New Dad (aka Tiger Woods)
posted by Joe Kelly on June 26, 2007 at 03:17 PM
“My parents always told me they loved me every night, every time we said goodbye. That was just something that I was never afraid to go out there and push myself to the limit. And if I failed, so what?
Continue reading "Sam's New Dad (aka Tiger Woods)"
Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems
posted by ATCA on June 26, 2007 at 01:31 AM
We are grateful to Anouradha Bakshi, Founder Director, Project WHY, based in New Delhi, India, for "Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems."
Continue reading "Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems"
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart: Legislative Frameworks
posted by ATCA on June 24, 2007 at 11:23 PM
We are grateful to Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, Anglo-American, and Member, Tomorrow's Global Company, Inquiry Team, based in London, UK, for "Need for Legislative Frameworks to Guide Markets."
Continue reading "Sir Mark Moody-Stuart: Legislative Frameworks"
WTO -- Sustainable Global Business and Trust
posted by ATCA on June 24, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Talks in Potsdam, Germany, between the four partners at the centre of the so-called Doha round of world trade negotiations -- the US, EU, India and Brazil -- broke up with sides still far apart on cutting agricultural subsidies and goods tariffs.
Continue reading "WTO -- Sustainable Global Business and Trust"
Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism
posted by ATCA on June 20, 2007 at 01:45 AM
We are grateful to Anouradha Bakshi, based in New Delhi, India, for "Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism and Long Term Environmental Damage."
Continue reading "Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism"
International Inquiry Report: Tomorrow's Global Inc.
posted by ATCA on June 18, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Continue reading "International Inquiry Report: Tomorrow's Global Inc."
Black Swans: Diamonds, Clubs, Spades and Hearts
posted by ATCA on June 16, 2007 at 12:03 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan events, we are grateful to John Elkington based in London, UK, and presently visiting Sao Paulo, Brazil, for "Diamonds, Clubs, Spades & Hearts."
Continue reading "Black Swans: Diamonds, Clubs, Spades and Hearts"
Lesson of Humility in Dealing with Black Swans
posted by ATCA on June 15, 2007 at 07:08 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact and Black Swan events, we are grateful to Dr Thierry Malleret based in Geneva, Switzerland, for "The Lesson of Humility in dealing with Black Swans."
Continue reading "Lesson of Humility in Dealing with Black Swans"
China Black Swans & Integrating The Black Swan
posted by ATCA on June 14, 2007 at 06:29 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact and Black Swan events, we are grateful to Andrew Leung based in London, UK, and frequent visitor to China, for "The China Black Swans" and Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann based in Lausanne, Switzerland, for "Integrating The Black Swan in Corporate Global Trends Analysis."
Continue reading "China Black Swans & Integrating The Black Swan"
Tomorrow’s Global Company: Challenges & Choices
posted by ATCA on June 13, 2007 at 01:02 AM
As the pioneering world-wide network for creating a wisdom based global economy, we are grateful to receive this submission "Tomorrow's Global Company: Challenges and Choices", from Mark Goyder, Founder Director and Tony Manwaring, Chief Executive, Tomorrow's Company.
Continue reading "Tomorrow’s Global Company: Challenges & Choices"
*Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events*
posted by DK Matai on June 12, 2007 at 06:17 AM
Dear Friends, the final version of this ATCA think-piece based on major research, put together by myself and the mi2g Intelligence Unit, has now been released. Reviewers of the article include:
Continue reading "*Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events*"
Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events
posted by DK Matai on June 07, 2007 at 06:31 AM
Continue reading "Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events"
The digital bending of Estonia on its physical knees
posted by ATCA on June 02, 2007 at 12:13 AM
We are grateful to Roberto Preatoni based in Tallinn, Estonia, and Milan, Italy, for his submission "The digital bending of Estonia on its physical knees -- The Lessons we are NOT going to learn."
Continue reading "The digital bending of Estonia on its physical knees"
Cyber Warfare: Beyond Estonia-Russia, Rise of China's 5th Dimension Cyber Army for the 21st C
posted by DK Matai on May 30, 2007 at 02:15 PM
The China Juggernaut's Soft Landing; US v China
posted by ATCA on May 28, 2007 at 01:01 AM
We are grateful to our distinguished and long standing ATCA contributors Ashutosh Sheshabalaya from Brussels, European Union, and Bassilly, Belgium, for "The China Juggernaut's Soft Landing"; and Andrew Leung -- en route to Shanghai from London -- for "'Irrational Exuberance' in China's Stock Market, US/China Relations: Rational Economics or Irrational Politics?"
Continue reading "The China Juggernaut's Soft Landing; US v China"
China: Global Financial Risk -- Key Strategic Issue
posted by ATCA on May 21, 2007 at 04:52 AM
Chinese authorities moved on Friday, 18th May, to take some pressure off their accelerating stock markets, raising benchmark lending and deposit rates, lifting bank reserve ratios and widening the trading band of their currency, the Yuan. This move and further ones, could spark a market correction according to some ATCA sources.
Continue reading "China: Global Financial Risk -- Key Strategic Issue"
chandigarh - the next IT hub
posted by Sandeep Sood on April 30, 2007 at 11:07 PM
bcm has been operating out of Chandigarh for over 4 years. It looks like people are starting to catch on (CNN):
Continue reading "chandigarh - the next IT hub"
Leung: China's Confucian Harmony with Nature
posted by ATCA on April 29, 2007 at 03:25 PM
We are grateful to Andrew Leung for "China's Confucian Harmony with Nature: Timeless Wisdom and Boundless Opportunities."
Confucius (circa 551-479 BC)
Continue reading "Leung: China's Confucian Harmony with Nature"
New York to Break Ground on Second Avenue Subway
posted by Saira Mohan on April 11, 2007 at 09:17 PM
March 28 (Bloomberg) -- New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority will break ground April 12 on the first phase of the $17 billion Second Avenue Subway project, which has been on the drawing board for almost 80 years.
Continue reading "New York to Break Ground on Second Avenue Subway"
The Glory of Education: Part III
posted by Saira Mohan on April 01, 2007 at 09:05 AM
This scares me more than Bush...
Continue reading "The Glory of Education: Part III"
HQR: Sir Tim Berners-Lee: The Future of The Web
posted by DK Matai on March 15, 2007 at 01:19 PM
It would be "une grande folie" to assume that we can progress the Holistic Quantum Relativity dialogue without understanding how the human mind works and interacts with others. This is where Computing and Web systems have to come into our thinking alongside Holistics, Philosophy, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity and Spirituality.
Prof Sir Tim Berners-Lee
Continue reading "HQR: Sir Tim Berners-Lee: The Future of The Web"
Outdated Euro-centric Thinking must focus on Asia
posted by ATCA on March 12, 2007 at 09:49 AM
We are grateful to Lord Howell of Guildford from The Palace of Westminster for "Outdated Euro-centric Thinking needs to focus on Asia and The Real Keys."
Continue reading "Outdated Euro-centric Thinking must focus on Asia"
election 2008 - is outsourcing an issue again?
posted by Sandeep Sood on March 08, 2007 at 02:38 PM
On March 7, Bill Gates testified before the US Senate about bringing IT workers into the US:
"We have to welcome the great minds of this world, not drive them out of this country," Gates said.Nice. To be clear, he is discussing the H1-B program, which currently allows 65,000 foreign professionals into the US every year. He went on to say
Continue reading "election 2008 - is outsourcing an issue again?"
Emmott: Rising Yen, Carry Trade & Contagion
posted by ATCA on March 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM
We are grateful to Bill Emmott based in London and Somerset, England, having just returned from a tour of Asia -- China, Japan and India -- for "Rising Yen, Carry Trade & Contagion."
Continue reading "Emmott: Rising Yen, Carry Trade & Contagion"
Andrew Leung: China -- Watch this Space!
posted by ATCA on March 01, 2007 at 03:02 AM
We are grateful to Andrew Leung based in London for "China -- Watch this Space!"
Continue reading "Andrew Leung: China -- Watch this Space!"
Turbulence in World Financial Markets & China
posted by ATCA on February 28, 2007 at 02:30 PM
We are grateful to Dr Harald Malmgren based in Washington DC for his submission to ATCA "Complex Turbulence in World Financial Markets and The China Risk."
Continue reading "Turbulence in World Financial Markets & China"
How did your stocks do today?
posted by Mallika Chopra on February 27, 2007 at 07:52 PM
Alas, it was not a good day for global stock markets.
Continue reading "How did your stocks do today?"
HQR: Quantum Computer, Einstein's Spooky Action
posted by DK Matai on February 25, 2007 at 03:53 PM
D-Wave's Quantum Computing Technology
Within Holistic Quantum Relativity lies the realm of the human mind and the observable universe running like Quantum Computers: this technological synthesis offers the possibility of solving what computer science calls "NP-complete" problems. Last week D-Wave Systems, a privately-held Canadian firm HQ'd near Vancouver, BC, demonstrated what it calls the world's first commercially viable Quantum Computer at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
Continue reading "HQR: Quantum Computer, Einstein's Spooky Action"
bangalore shuts down (again)
posted by Sandeep Sood on February 15, 2007 at 11:20 AM
A strike over water has shut down Bangalore's IT industry for the second time in a month (last month's shutdown was due to religious turmoil).
Of course, the press jumps on a story like this as a sign of "how, despite a thriving tech industry, Bangalore is just not Silicon Valley". If a shutdown is what it takes to reach that epiphany, you deserve a cookie.
Unfortunately for Bangalore, recent targeting by terrorist groups might place the city of baked beans closer to New York in the global imagination.
Bangalore's issues may also speed the inevitable (and ongoing) push of IT companies to other cities in India. As if the gridlock on outer ring road wasn't enough motivation already.
Nova Spivack: The Third-Generation Web -- Web 3.0
posted by ATCA on February 07, 2007 at 07:08 AM
We are grateful to Nova Spivack based in San Francisco for his submission to ATCA, "The Third-Generation Web -- Web 3.0 -- is Coming in 2007" which enables a number of further aspects of D2-Banking.
Continue reading "Nova Spivack: The Third-Generation Web -- Web 3.0"
Ray Kurzweil: 2007,What are you Optimistic about?
posted by DK Matai on February 06, 2007 at 02:03 AM
We are grateful to the world famous inventor and innovator Ray Kurzweil, based in Massachusetts, USA, for, "Question 2007: What are you optimistic about? Why?" Below is a picture of Ray receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Bill Clinton eight years ago:
Continue reading "Ray Kurzweil: 2007,What are you Optimistic about?"
IPCC: Stark warning on Climate issued in Paris
posted by ATCA on February 02, 2007 at 05:15 AM
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) -- which draws together 2,500 scientists from more than 130 countries -- issued its strongest warning on the consequences of global warming in Paris today as it published the most authoritative research on the issue.
Continue reading "IPCC: Stark warning on Climate issued in Paris"
John Elkington: Asymmetrical Solutions in Davos
posted by ATCA on February 02, 2007 at 04:00 AM
We are grateful to John Elkington from London, UK, for "Asymmetrical Solutions in Davos."
Continue reading "John Elkington: Asymmetrical Solutions in Davos"
Does Money Make You Mean?
posted by Saira Mohan on January 29, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Sheshabalaya: Third Round of Globalisation is here!
posted by ATCA on January 25, 2007 at 02:44 AM
We are grateful to Ashutosh Sheshabalaya, based in Brussels and Bassilly, Belgium, for "The Third Round of Globalisation is here!" in response to Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann's submission to ATCA, "Beyond Davos: Demise of the Hub-and-Spokes World Economy: The 21st Century Great Global Economy Paradigm Shift."
Continue reading "Sheshabalaya: Third Round of Globalisation is here!"
Davos: Demise of Hub-and-Spokes World Economy
posted by ATCA on January 24, 2007 at 12:48 AM
The annual mela in Davos, Switzerland, begins today and is being held under the theme "The Shifting Power Equation." However, as Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann from IMD Lausanne points out, this in fact is the "Demise of the Hub-and-Spokes World Economy" via "The 21st Century Great Global Economy Paradigm Shift."
Continue reading "Davos: Demise of Hub-and-Spokes World Economy"
The Socratic Question of Making a Good Human Life
posted by ATCA on January 22, 2007 at 11:40 AM
We are grateful to Prof Prabhu Guptara, based in Wolfsberg, Switzerland, for "Transhumanism, Public Engagement and In-depth Scrutiny" and Dr Charles Rubin, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for "The Socratic Question of Making a Good Human Life."
Continue reading "The Socratic Question of Making a Good Human Life"
Lunar Cycle Effect/ Stock Market Returns
posted by Zappy on January 22, 2007 at 09:28 AM
There are two phases of the moon, the new moon, and the full moon. The full moon period is the day of the full moon and the seven days before it and after it, the period when the moon is most visible in the sky, when people are most physically and materially based, or tuned into the 1% world, which makes them very pessimistic. By contrast, the New moon weeks (when the moon is in effect “hidden”) are filled with positive energy and spirituality. The phases of the moon represent when people are generally more optimistic or pessimistic, and this, coupled with the fact that the universe itself affects us, as the Kabala teaches, affects our decisions and the outcomes of our decisions.
Continue reading "Lunar Cycle Effect/ Stock Market Returns"
Transhuman Technologies pose Gravest Challenge
posted by ATCA on January 16, 2007 at 03:19 AM
We are grateful to Prof Nigel M de S Cameron, based in Chicago, Illinois, for "Transhuman Technologies pose Gravest Challenge to Democracy in the 21st Century" by way of his response to the ATCA think-piece "The Supra-Universal Consciousness and Better Humans on the one hand and Human Extinction and The Post Human Entity on the other."
Continue reading "Transhuman Technologies pose Gravest Challenge"
A Fun Way To Spend $100,000 Per Second!
posted by Zappy on January 14, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Zappy Stars in his own Super Bowl Commercial
During the 2000 Super Bowl my partners and I launched our brand Computer.com/1-800 COMPUTER with an advertisment during the Super Bowl. The Kablalistic concept employed was to "Eliminate as Much Proccess as Possible," this meant attempting to create a brand in a single moment, while a critical mass of people are tuned into a single point of consciousness.
Continue reading "A Fun Way To Spend $100,000 Per Second!"
Shekhar Kapur: Nano 3-D Sense Augmented Media
posted by ATCA on December 21, 2006 at 05:25 AM
We are grateful to Shekhar Kapur, based in London, England, and Mumbai, India, for "Nano-Age: 3-D Sense Augmented Media" by way of his response to Dr Brent Segal based in Boston, USA, for his ATCA submission, "Nanotechnology 2006: A Femto-Glimpse into Our Future or Nano-Hegemony Coming of Age?"
Continue reading "Shekhar Kapur: Nano 3-D Sense Augmented Media"
M Khan: Innovation -- Sustainable Value Creation
posted by ATCA on December 20, 2006 at 12:35 PM
We are grateful to Mehmood Khan, Global Leader, Unilever Innovation Process Management, for his contribution "Innovation: Sustainable Value Creation in the face of Global Risks -- Countering Climate Chaos, Radical Poverty and Demographic Skews" to ATCA.
Continue reading "M Khan: Innovation -- Sustainable Value Creation"
Exposed!
posted by Gotham Chopra on December 17, 2006 at 09:37 PM
There is nothing quite as frustrating to me as sitting on the phone endlessly trying to explain their own billing policies to phone companies, cable companies, and other likeminded service providers. One would assume it's intolerable enough when it is your own bill/account in question, let alone tolerating someone elses. All of which makes the fact that listening to this recording is just so pleasurable.
Prof Norbert Walter: US Problems Rubbing Off
posted by ATCA on December 13, 2006 at 02:46 AM
We are grateful to Prof Norbert Walter, Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group, & Head of Deutsche Bank Research, based in Frankfurt, Germany, for "US Problems rubbing off" for his response to the ATCA think piece, "The Weakening US Dollar and the changing China & Japan Positions" and the more recent update, "Sterling trading at 14 year record of nearly 2 Dollars."
Continue reading "Prof Norbert Walter: US Problems Rubbing Off"
Nobel Laureate Yunus: Peace, Poverty & Capitalism
posted by ATCA on December 10, 2006 at 12:48 PM
We are grateful to Dr Muhammad Yunus, Founder, Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2006, from Oslo, Norway, for: "The Nobel Lecture: Peace, Poverty & Social Capitalism."
Continue reading "Nobel Laureate Yunus: Peace, Poverty & Capitalism"
HRH Prince Charles: Accounting For Sustainability
posted by ATCA on December 06, 2006 at 11:35 PM
His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales launched his "Costing The Earth - The Accounting For Sustainability" project at an exclusive forum at St James's Palace today attended by parliamentarians, business executives, heads of relevant NGOs, religious and community leaders, academics & philanthropists.
Continue reading "HRH Prince Charles: Accounting For Sustainability"
Triumph of Technology over an enslaved Humanity
posted by ATCA on December 02, 2006 at 09:35 AM
Steven Clothier, based in Zurich, Switzerland comments on ATCA "Facing the Triumph of Bio, Info & Nano (BIN) Technology over an enslaved Humanity?"
Continue reading "Triumph of Technology over an enslaved Humanity"
Sterling trading at 14 year record of nearly 2 Dollars
posted by ATCA on December 01, 2006 at 04:32 AM
The British Pound (GBP) remained close to its highest level against the US Dollar since Sterling left the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in 1992, despite positive economic news from the United States. Sterling strengthened to USD 1.9670 moving towards USD 2.0 by end-of-December according to Forex forecasters.
Continue reading "Sterling trading at 14 year record of nearly 2 Dollars"
Weakening US Dollar: Changing China & Japan
posted by ATCA on November 28, 2006 at 10:21 PM
The US Dollar (USD) extended its declines on Tuesday, sending the Euro above USD 1.32 for the first time since March 2005, as US data supported expectations the US central bank -- The Federal Reserve -- may cut interest rates early next year.
Continue reading "Weakening US Dollar: Changing China & Japan"
Rospigliosi - Brave New World of NanoTechnology
posted by ATCA on November 24, 2006 at 03:21 PM
We are grateful to Alessandro Rospigliosi, based in London, England, and Turin, Italy, for his response "The Brave New World of NanoTechnology and its Impact on Academia, Business and Governments" to Dr Brent Segal based in Boston, USA, for his ATCA submission, "Nanotechnology 2006: A Femto-Glimpse into Our Future or Nano-Hegemony Coming of Age?"
Continue reading "Rospigliosi - Brave New World of NanoTechnology"
Esty: Building Eco-Advantage by Riding Green Wave
posted by ATCA on November 21, 2006 at 11:32 PM
The debate about climate chaos and environmental degradation being a major global risk issue is history! The world needs ready-made solutions both at present and going into the future. Where are the ready-to-use industry-by-industry solutions going to come from? Prof Dan Esty is a wise man from Yale University who has begun to identify some of the early signals of future answers from those players who are beginning to "Ride the Green Wave."
Continue reading "Esty: Building Eco-Advantage by Riding Green Wave"
Christmas & Consumerism
posted by Satish Kumar on November 21, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Christmas fuels consumerism. Production lines and shopping centres are waiting for Christmas to arrive. They are seeking greater sales and greater profits this Christmas than the last. Thus Christmas fuels consumerism. But in turn, consumerism fuels global warming.
Continue reading "Christmas & Consumerism"
Santiago Calatrava: Hemispheric, Valencia, Spain
posted by DK Matai on November 17, 2006 at 11:03 AM
The architect who builds 21st century bridges, skyscrapers and now Ground Zero post 9/11:
Continue reading "Santiago Calatrava: Hemispheric, Valencia, Spain"
Sam Pitroda: Business Process Innovation Award
posted by ATCA on November 09, 2006 at 02:37 PM
Sam Pitroda -- Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, India, and Chairman, WorldTel, based in Chicago, USA -- has been awarded the 2006 Innovation Award for Business Process on Thursday 9th November in London by The Economist for his achievements as a telecommunications inventor, entrepreneur and policymaker.
Continue reading "Sam Pitroda: Business Process Innovation Award"
Sir Tim Berners-Lee: Web Science Research
posted by ATCA on November 06, 2006 at 02:49 AM
Sir Tim Berners-Lee has launched the Web Science Research Initiative. The inventor of the World Wide Web wants to make it an object of scientific inquiry.
Continue reading "Sir Tim Berners-Lee: Web Science Research"
webvastu: feng shui your blog
posted by Sandeep Sood on November 02, 2006 at 10:55 AM
One of the few areas where Indian IT often fails to provide a competitive advantage is design. Subjective and highly specific, design is difficult to price and dilutes quickly when scaled.
Continue reading "webvastu: feng shui your blog"
Re-Inventing India
posted by Gotham Chopra on October 24, 2006 at 11:45 PM
I've been at it again - buildingt the company (VIRGIN COMICS) and trying to think through how we stick around for a while.
Continue reading "Re-Inventing India"
25 Tips
posted by Saira Mohan on October 22, 2006 at 07:16 AM
Sometimes making the right financial decisions is easy...and sometimes it's not. So when I came across the general tips and guidelines below, I wanted to share them with you...
World Peace: Addressing The Big-10 Global Risks
posted by ATCA on October 10, 2006 at 11:04 AM
For world peace, there are 10 big global risks that face the world, which demand innovation and shared action at national, regional and international level. They are
Continue reading "World Peace: Addressing The Big-10 Global Risks"
Rowena Young -- Growing Social Capital Markets
posted by ATCA on September 25, 2006 at 03:48 AM
Is the creation of better functioning social capital markets set to be one of the big stories of social change in the coming decades?
Continue reading "Rowena Young -- Growing Social Capital Markets"
Egg-vertisements!
posted by Mallika Chopra on September 13, 2006 at 09:19 PM
This Fall, CBS plans to imprint a laser image of its logo on eggs with teasers for its Fall shows. Its a 35 Million egg-vertisement campaign. Similarly, some school districts in the US are allowing advertisements on childrens school buses. As a marketing major in Business School,
Continue reading "Egg-vertisements!"
Dr M Kiernan -- CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT
posted by ATCA on September 09, 2006 at 09:00 AM
The last thirty days have been busy ones indeed for the climate chaos file. First, UK Prime Minister Blair and California Governor Schwarzenegger announced an ambitious trans-Atlantic collaboration on countering climate chaos. Next,
Continue reading "Dr M Kiernan -- CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT"
Mike Harris -- Disruptive Innovation
posted by ATCA on September 05, 2006 at 11:10 PM
something calls for you.
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you.
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore.
Strike another match, go start anew
And it's all over now, Baby Blue."
-- Bob Dylan
Continue reading "Mike Harris -- Disruptive Innovation"
The Dawn of the New Hydrogen Economy -- Stanford Ovshinsky
posted by ATCA on August 31, 2006 at 07:23 PM
Excerpt: The ages of mankind have been classified by the materials they use. The Bronze Age. The Iron Age. The Age of Silicon. This is no accident. Materials are the basis of new technologies. And new technologies make possible new industries and jobs. Today, we are at the dawn of a new age -- the Hydrogen Age -- and what is already being called the Hydrogen Economy. [With permission from the ATCA Council.]
Continue reading "The Dawn of the New Hydrogen Economy -- Stanford Ovshinsky"
Countering Climate Chaos -- California breaks away from US Federal Government
posted by DK Matai on August 31, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Excerpt reproduced with permission of the ATCA Council: The State of California is to impose broad caps on its GreenHouse-Gas (GHG) emissions under a landmark bill that marks a clear break with the US Federal Government and which backers hope will become a national model not just for America but also for other nations across the world.
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Beyond Extreme Capitalism -- The Blended Value Investment Philosophy
posted by DK Matai on August 25, 2006 at 01:14 AM
Remembering John F Kennedy's speech -- I am a Berliner! -- or as he said it "Ich bin ein Berliner", which actually translates to "I am a jam doughnut!" , in June 1963, Germany, we watched the collapse of the Berlin wall with some of our faculty at the University of Southampton, England, in the same department of electronics and computer science where Sir Tim Berner-Lee, the inventor of the world wide web at CERN, now holds a Chair. On 9th November 1989, I remember that one of the students queried, "Is this the collapse of Socialism and the Soviet Doctrine?" and one of our faculty members
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Towards Sustainable Development: What is a Social Entrepreneur?
posted by DK Matai on August 17, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Having spent time earlier this year as a keynote speaker and panellist on New Generation Philanthropists at The World Forum for Social Entrepreneurship alongside Al Gore, Robert Redford, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jeff Skoll, Sir Ronald Cohen, Bunker Roy and Mohammad Yunus, at The University of Oxford, in my capacity as the co-founder of The Philanthropia -- Trinity Club, Syndicates and Ethical Investment Funds -- in Switzerland, the questions that have been foremost in my mind are as follows:
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Kabala and Business
posted by Zappy on July 10, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Two of the oldest meditations are centered around the sounds “Aaaah” and “Oooom.” The “aaah” meditation is done in the morning, and is meant to bring about the things you want manifest in the physical world. The “ooom” is said in the evening, to balance the energies within you and between you and the universe.
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Call centers: boom or doom
posted by Vijay Sappani on May 27, 2006 at 08:59 PM
Call centers are considered the new age boom in income for the middle class families in India, while some see it as the doom in values of middle class families in India.
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Sensex isn't looking too sexy these days...
posted by Kanika Sethi on May 22, 2006 at 03:45 PM
Hi everyone,
Long time no speak...sorry. I'll explain my absence at a later time...but I came across this article in the Drudge Report earlier today and thought it was definitely blog-worthy...
India on alert for suicides after stocks slide
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Deepak Chopra on Sirius Radio
posted by Mallika Chopra on May 04, 2006 at 09:11 AM
I am excited to announce a deal that we have been working on for Deepak Chopra to host a weekly radio show, starting this summer. on Sirius Satelite Radio. Many thanks to all of you, who actually inspired us
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GM, France and Albany
posted by Rayman Mathoda on April 08, 2006 at 02:26 PM
I couldn't agree more with the conclusions and similarities this article from today's Wall Street Journal draws about unions. If organizations can't fire easily, they definitely don't hire easily. Did you know that Michigan had the lowest rate of home price appreciation of all 50 US states last year? This theme also rings true in the Indian context....labor reform is key to a vibrant future India. I, personally, have observed the impact of unions on 2 of my former clients. At a mining client, we had a really tough time implementing pay for performance on the front line...as unions are generally anti performance based differentiation (which I'm definitely for!). At a hospital client, I saw how expenses grew uncontrollably due to unions...forcing prices up and/or profits down (usually into the red).
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Speed Demons
posted by Mallika Chopra on March 19, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Business Week has a FANTASTIC cover article this week on how smart companies are gaining a competitve advantage by moving quickly. The article begins with a story that I believe will one day will be legendary folklore in the business world:
"Last year on Feb. 14, Virgin Group Ltd. founder Sir Richard Branson got a provocative e-mail out of the blue. Gotham Chopra, son of self-help guru Deepak Chopra, had a proposal..."
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MLM and ford fiestas in delhi slums
posted by Anouradha Bakshi on March 18, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Wonder why a Ford Fiesta is parked in a delhi slum... welcome to the world of MLM..
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The Indian Budget : Playing for a Draw
posted by Shekhar Kapur on March 01, 2006 at 04:20 AM
The Finance Minister in his press conference said that in the Indian Government has to show that ti's heart is in the right place as well as it's head..
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market making
posted by Sandeep Sood on January 15, 2006 at 12:05 PM
China
Total Population: 1,306,313,812
Total Skateboarders: about 12
Obviously, with numbers like that, any reasonable government official would partner with a clothing company to build the widest vertical skateboarding ramp in the world! So, the centerpiece of downtown New Jiangwan City, on the outskirts of Shanghai, should come as no surprise.
Maybe it will work - we all saw Crouching Tiger - these people can fly.
And, you have to admit, cultural revolution #2 will, at the very least, be funnier
than its predecessor. [link]
In a Lather
posted by Simran Sethi on December 27, 2005 at 05:23 AM
I just read an Alternet interview with Douglas Massey, a Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He's written what sounds like an engaging book called Return of the "L" Word: A Liberal Vision for the New Century .
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VC Funding Could Bring India Out of the Backroom
posted by Mallika Chopra on December 23, 2005 at 07:54 AM
Since Sumant (my husband) doesnt blog much, I thought I would put up this article from IT Business Edge. (It is also a way I can show off a little! :) Anyways, would love your thoughts on the questions ...
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Sufficiency and efficiency: putting need above greed
posted by Ashok Khosla on December 01, 2005 at 09:36 AM
The goals of sustainable development clearly cannot be reached with today's urban-industrial lifestyles. Nor can they be achieved with the existing disparities within or between countries. Sustainable development implies not only efficient and ecologically sound management of resources, but also the need to establish social equity and political empowerment.
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Enabling ICT for Rural India
posted by on November 04, 2005 at 01:20 PM
Over the past decade, India has become the worlds test bed for innovations in information and communication technologies (ICT) serving the rural user. Various reasons explain this emergence.
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Please Don't Spit on Walls
posted by Gotham Chopra on November 03, 2005 at 07:50 PM
Back on the left coast and happy to be here to get a few good nights sleep before heading back out on the road next week, perhaps to London. More to come on Italy last week and about what's ahead but need some time to digest. Instead thought I'd post something on the Asian invasion etc.
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MyPod
posted by Mohit Rajhans on October 20, 2005 at 11:07 AM
I recently have come to terms with the fact that I spend more time with my Ipod then I do my extended family. Though the feeling can be a little disconcerting it is not without merit.
The World in 2020
posted by Bharat Chopra on October 19, 2005 at 08:50 AM
The Economist Intelligence Unit recently produced a forecast on what the world, and in particular, Asia, will look like fifteen years from now in the year 2020.
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Is India as the hot bed for new business a lot of hype?
posted by Sumant Mandal on October 03, 2005 at 10:53 AM
I just returned from an interesting business trip to India where I participated in a conference for 50 venture capitalists interested in investing in start up companies in India.
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Please Notice
posted by Gotham Chopra on September 29, 2005 at 05:18 PM
Over there. On the right. Part of our ongoing intentblog site evolution. Unveiling INTERPRESS, a global news service and independent media voice focusing on issues of globalization.
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My What Big Endorsements You Have (Part 1)
posted by Simran Sethi on September 25, 2005 at 06:48 AM
While Sania Mirza is getting flack for having lost to lower ranked Hungarian Melinda Czink in the second round of the WTA Sunfest Open, I say give the girl a break!
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You Got a Better Idea?
posted by Simran Sethi on September 24, 2005 at 11:03 AM
There’s a certain amount of hubris New Yorkers possess that I have felt in other large cities but own in this one. It’s this kind of I-am-the-penultimate-urban-warrior attitude that makes us think we are slightly better than everyone else (said with tongue firmly planted in cheek).
An area where we have been lacking, however, is in sustainable building and design. So we’re--ahem--asking for help.
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T.M. Ravi's First Post - Swarm Intelligence
posted by on August 28, 2005 at 10:06 AM
Finally, my first blog! I am excited to explore this new medium of instant and spontaneous communication. I briefly started thinking about the perils of “over” communication and its impact on original thinking and creativity – but I have safely stored the thought in the back for another time.
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Living in the Tension
posted by Simran Sethi on August 26, 2005 at 06:57 PM
Do you get your coffee from the chain that offers part-time employees benefits and has organic soymilk or from the indie coffeehouse that doesn’t?
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Sweetness
posted by Simran Sethi on August 25, 2005 at 03:04 AM
When a blueberry is ripe, it surrenders from the vine without effort.
It knows it’s ready to be savored.
The berry is tumescent: its skin a luscious purple, its flesh turgid with sweetness and sun.
Transparency Part II – If you are Going to be Naked, You Better be Buff!
posted by on August 22, 2005 at 10:58 PM
So now let me tell you our experience at Edmunds – it offers some interesting lessons for transparency. General Motors had created a tool for comparison shopping called AutoChoiceAdvisor. It is a neat tool – it allows customers to describe their preferences – including brands, body types, attributes, etc. – and it recommends the best cars for you. We suggested that it would be a bad idea for GM to post this tool on their web site.
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My Energy Dilemma
posted by Sumant Mandal on August 14, 2005 at 08:12 PM
With gas prices rocketing, the discussion around energy consumption is high. The first challenge is to assess our demand of energy. This is the most important. But, at the same time, how do we create less friction (ie. use energy more economically), when obtaining energy? Where do the law of economics and environmental issues converge?
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Creating a buzz...
posted by Mallika Chopra on August 10, 2005 at 10:05 PM
Been thinking lately about what it takes to create a buzz...
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Transparency - an enemy or a friend?
posted by on August 09, 2005 at 04:42 PM
This is my first post on the Intent blog. I thought I would begin with a
simple question that has anything but a simple answer. The question - is
information transparency an enemy of profits?
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The Definition of Charity
posted by on August 08, 2005 at 08:36 PM
Well this is my first posting on IntentBlog. As I read through many of the other postings on the site, it is interesting to note the many different ideas and perspectives on so many issues we face everyday. I’d like to initiate a discussion about charity.
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Information, Part II
posted by Sumant Mandal on August 08, 2005 at 03:26 PM
Very interesting comments on my last blog on information. Thank you.
There are theorists that have spent their entire life dreaming up theses that address these issues. My goal is to try to understand how people consume information.
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Anil Dash's First Post
posted by Anil Dash on August 08, 2005 at 07:08 AM
When I was first asked to participate in IntentBlog, the idea excited me because it means I get to talk more about blogging to a new audience, and that idea seemed important to me.
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Foot Fetish. . .
posted by Simran Sethi on August 05, 2005 at 12:52 PM
If everyone lived like me, we’d need another 1 ½ planets to sustain our lifestyles.
My ecological footprint is huge.
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I Heart New Jersey
posted by Simran Sethi on August 02, 2005 at 07:01 PM
It’s true. I’m kind of crushing on New Jersey right now.
Here's why. . .
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Swap Meet
posted by Simran Sethi on July 31, 2005 at 08:02 PM
My friend Rahul blogged about being an opulent ascetic.
I am about as far away from that as you can imagine. I am a horder.
Am I proud of it? Not exactly.
Information
posted by Sumant Mandal on July 30, 2005 at 02:32 AM
My wife (Mallika) and her entire family are consummate writers with a passion for expressing all of their emotion through the written word. Don’t get me wrong – I like it.
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Coca Cola 2
posted by Shekhar Kapur on July 24, 2005 at 03:54 AM
Often when we talk about the world, we define a world that exists outside of ourselves. It's safer to do so. I call it the They, Them,That,There syndrome.
So. Are we as individuals far more responsible than we believe, and are the anti Globalization and anti Corporatization only the stick we use to relieve us of our own responsibilities ? Economists/Statesmen do not usually question the inherent relationship between consumerism and economic development. But should'nt we ?
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Coca Cola 2
posted by Shekhar Kapur on July 24, 2005 at 03:54 AM
Often when we talk about the world, we define a world that exists outside of ourselves. It's safer to do so. I call it the They, Them,That,There syndrome.
So. Are we as individuals far more responsible than we believe, and are the anti Globalization and anti Corporatization only the stick we use to relieve us of our own responsibilities ? Economists/Statesmen do not usually question the inherent relationship between consumerism and economic development. But should'nt we ?
Continue reading "Coca Cola 2"
Doing Well by Doing Good: Another Example
posted by Simran Sethi on July 18, 2005 at 07:21 PM
Yesterday’s New York Times article on “How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart” highlights what people in the sustainable business movement have been saying for years—treating employees well and establishing a sustainable growth strategy is not only good for people, it’s good for business.
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Avatars Online
posted by Sumant Mandal on July 14, 2005 at 07:09 PM
I noticed Dr. Chopra's blog about the virtual / physical world being one of the same. Here's some food for thought on another virtual world that is coming together right around us - the virtual world online.
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Be The Change (Simran's First Post)
posted by Simran Sethi on July 14, 2005 at 03:45 PM
Every day, for nearly a year, I passed a billboard on my way from Kemps Corner to Tardeo that said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
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A Passage From India, by Suketu Mehta (NYT, 7/12/05)
posted by Mallika Chopra on July 12, 2005 at 03:33 PM
My uncle from India just sent me this article from today's NY Times.
"ACCORDING to a confidential memorandum, I.B.M. is cutting 13,000 jobs in the United States and in Europe and creating 14,000 jobs in India.
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Can we make the world flat?
posted by Sumant Mandal on July 09, 2005 at 09:04 PM
Technology seems to be leveling the playing field. Thomas Friedman sure thinks so -- read the first 3 chapters of his book, The World Is Flat. Intentblog is showing the power of two way (and many to many) communication and how the world can connect through the internet.
Lets think about this on a larger level. Microfinance and micropayments enabled through technology have proven that they work, and have great potential.
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Order to Creative Chaos?
posted by Sumant Mandal on July 07, 2005 at 01:59 AM
Its interesting to watch companies grow - especially the companies that come from the seed of a creative idea. Most creative people I have worked with love chaos. There are new directions and initiatives on a daily basis. Work is done with little or no regard to process. It is exhilarating and exciting to be a part of it.
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