The other economy. Or you could call it the lemonade stand economy. People just get up and trade something they can offer. It’s so simple.  The way it could be and sometimes, is…

A 3 minute read entitled The Speak-Easy Economy by Jeffrey Tucker

On answering a request to give my opinion upon a stock market analyst’s report about a fall in Amazon.com stock, I wrote:

“

It is a classic example of classic stock analysis that is likely to be reliable as often (possibly less so ) as it is unreliable.

Much that the author mentions makes sense – however one would be advised to realize that the comment ” if there is a lot of traffic a journey may take longer than if there is little traffic” makes sense too and this is the type of information the author presents that does make sense.

The rest is hardly worth anyone’s time. Reasoning is as good as bad but as he mentions it depends, it depends, it depends… on the way people behave (as to whether there is a concerted move in price one way or another, a staying in place, etc etc etc etc. ) Being a stock analyst and getting paid well for it is in 95% of cases joining the club at a lower intellectual level but same level of achievement (results that are usable or good or correct) as 95% of economists = unreliable, mostly wrong most of the time (again95% is a very accurate figure !).

The trick, as always, is to find a few of the 5% who know when they can be right, can give reasonable gauges of probability of their predicted outcomes and know when it is not possible to be a soothsayer or fortune teller.  ”

London Cafe Society in the 1950s

Cafe society – the Cafe Scene. Coffee in London in the 1950′s.  Eight minutes of cafe history (courtesy Swiss Miss blog).

London gets espresso, cappuccino and a place to go

Oasis Hotel Cordoba

Cordoba - Cathedral

If there comes a time when cutting the overall cost of a trip is a good idea, one way is to punctuate your stay between chic or grand or charming but pricey hotels, with a cheaper one.

Cordoba is a must-see (why else stay there!?). Another “must-visit” in your Andalucian tour. I chose my visit there to coincide with this cost-reduction manoeuvre.

The Oasis hotel is on a main boulevard, Avenida actually (for we are in Spain!), and has easy access to the centre – a short three euro taxi ride (on a sizzling 38 degree hot day you do not want to take the 15 minute walk) to the Puente Romano (bridge across the Guadalquivir River).

This is a great way to approach the centre as you walk across the river with the Cathedral in view straight ahead of you, the whole way across the river. A magical sight.

The Cathedral is famous because of the extensive mosque structure which acts like a large Moorish arcade surrounding the cathedral itself in the centre. It is massive, dramatic, foreboding, impressive, moving – some or all of these depending upon your own interpretation – but not to be missed!

Leading into Cordoba

Add in the old town area spreading away from this in narrow crowded streets, the Arab Baths, Botanic Gardens and some locals-out-for the night squares with cafes and bars serenaded by touring street musicians playing with hope for donations of appreciation.

The Oasis is clean, well run, staffed by friendly family and their employees, rooms are neat, simple and very acceptable. The rooms at the back are quiet and view across the river to Cordoba itself ( a subdued partial view).

There is a large and well kept swimming pool, restaurant and bar.

Hotel Oasis entrance and parking for cars - Cordoba, Andalucia

Don’t forget to go to local cafes and bars in the various small neighbourhood squares around the city and consider the Conception – Conde de Gondomar – Plaza Tendillas area if you would like to use this as your opportunity to sample the fashions in Spain’s main shops.

To stay at the very reasonable Oasis hotel in Cordoba – make a reservation here

Jason Silva – always a welcome fountain of energy – waxes lyrical or rather, explosiveley delivers his glance across technology…progress and what is as far as I am concerned (and it seems he is too!), certainly an assembly, a composite of great things to come…..let it roll!

His video is just over 3 great minutes long

In a rare look at a product – these travel/daily utility bags deserve a look.  Original, Beautiuful and clever bag designs combining aesthetics with quality and practicality. A plus – most attractive website design with good usability.

http://www.hardgraft.com/

Desirable use of a well established brand name in this TV and Cinema commercial for Virgin Money. What seems like a young, fresh and new brand when it is attached to any service or product, also has the prime ingredient of trust and the sense of permanence…very appropriate for a bank! A tip of the hat to the Agency as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbCqknwROtw

 Straightforward article about the way travel can change your life – the mention “No one ever becomes a hedgefund manager” as a result of a revelation while travelling, is amusing (though the role is one of the more fascinating of unlikely directions to see as the ideal path) and simple as it may be the reminder of  a dramatic benefit of travel is fair.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/blogs/the-backpacker/has-travelling-changed-your-life-20120118-1q5dv.html

 Kiss’ main man, Gene Simmons on spreading risk (investments), building brands, attitudes to entrepreneurs and the “entitlement” thinking that has sprouted…

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2012/01/kiss-band-gene-simmons-private-equity.html?ana=e_pft

 Good intentions – improve health, the taste of things and anything else it seems! Read this to confimr what you suspect but also as a good business methodoly and life hint…

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-good-intentions-ease-pain-pleasure.html

Luis von Ahn talk on TED. This is one of the most mind-shaking, bright, intelligent talks – well it’s the content that is Essential for all those interested in the future, progress and the enormous and numerous possibilities of using crowd-participation via the internet.

Even – or perhaps especially – sceptics should watch this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

http://www.ted.com/talks/luis_von_ahn_massive_scale_online_collaboration.html

“I became a journalist partly so that I wouldn’t ever have to rely on the press for my information.”  Christopher Hitchens.

SOPA means “Shut up, be quiet” in Greek. This (SOPA) is the proposed legislation which purports to protect copyright but stands a high probability of being applied to censor, to stop expression of ideas that “don’t fit”, on the internet.