Toronto - Beauty in Diversity

This is a short 5-minute film created by Dale Hildebrand outlining Toronto's diverse and multicultural population. It is a cinematic journey across Toronto's many rituals, traditions and cultures.

T O in 2 4 from Dale Hildebrand on Vimeo.

Geoffrey West: The math of Cities and Companies

Physicist Geoffrey West has found that 'universality' can also be found within urban populations and economic growth. He shows how wealth, crime rate, population, walking speed and many other factors of a city can be calculated through simple universal laws. Furthermore, much of what is discussed is related to the nature of biology and the universal laws that have been discovered in biology.

This is some food for thought.

Nanowire Discovery Revolutionizes Bio-electronics

Researches recently discovered that an electrical charge could be conducted across the biofilm of specialized bacteria.

A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered this property in the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, a bacterium found below the surface that reduces metals. More specifically, the conductive property was found in the microbial nanowires produced by the bacterium.

A picture of a Geobacter bacterium and its nanowire network (Credit: Anna Klimes and Ernie Carbone)

The nanowires allow for electrons to travel long distances, and furthermore, these charges move as efficiently as synthetic organic metallic nanostructures. This discovery could possibly revolutionize the field of bio-electronics, in addition with the possibility of many real world applications.

Scientists believe that the properties of this biofilm can be further controlled and manipulated by regulating the gene that controls this function. This will ultimately create a new strain, in the hopes of producing new eco-friendly and less expensive materials. 

Lead microbiologist Derek Lovely retorted, "We're basically making electronics out of vinegar. It can't get much cheaper or more 'green' than that."

The 'Golden Apple'

Apple Inc, as you all know, is a multinational corporation that designs consumer electronics (the iPod, iPhone, Tablet PC's), personal computers, and computer software.

It is a unbelievably strong competitor in its market; one might even say that Apple is 'oblivious', to an extent, to today's economic troubles (let it be noted that as of July 2011, Apple has larger financial reserves than the US government).  So, what's Apple's secret? Why does it continue to flourish in a declining economy, where many other multinational companies are facing vast losses? The secret lies within Apple's 'personality'.

Over the years, Apple has developed many products and they all portray a certain style or character. Apple's products, simply put, are creative, appealing, user-friendly and above all, innovative. Unlike its competitor Microsoft, Apple has the ability to not only create its own software, but personal computers as well. Essentially, it has monopolized, in fact even 'created' its own market. Apple experiences a world of freedom the likes of which no other company can even compare to. One electronics company may offer games, another may offer phones, or computers, or software. Apple, however, is a whole 'ecosystem' itself. Apple, by itself, has the ability to: create its own product, market that product and then provide accessories, applications, software and other support.....by God, that's simply ingenious.

Let's compile a short list of all the products Apple has:

• The iPod series
• The iPhone series
• iTunes
• Personal Computers
• Computer Software
• App Store
• Accessories - Earphones, Protective Cases, etc

So, Apple not only retails music devices, phones and computers; but it also provides content and services, interfaces and software, in addition to an army of applications. Well Apple, no wonder Fortune Magazine labels you as the most admired company in the United States - that and the seven billion dollar plus profit share you showed this quarter.

Munk Debates - Will the 21st Century belong to China?

On June 17, 2011 the 'Munk Debates' were held here in Toronto.

The topic of interest - 'Will the 21st Century belong to China?'

The speakers included:

Pro (In support of the question)

• Niall Ferguson - Professor of History and Business Administration at Harvard, as well as a Senior Research Fellow at many other institutes
• David Daokui Li - The Director of the Center for China in the World Economy at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in Beijing

Con (Not in favour of the question)

• Fareed Zakaria - Host of CNN's international affairs program
• Henry Kissinger - Formerly the 56th Secretary of State of the United States

To begin, both sides began with a six minute introduction of the arguments they would present. The nature of the arguments presented were complex, and furthermore the debate covered a wide array and plethora of factors such as: political, geo-politcal, economic, cultural and social factors. Overall, both sides represented themselves well; providing supporting facts and evidence, interpolating and extrapolating information, as well as providing historical context and content.

"The key to the twenty-first century lies in the decline of the west", remarked Ferguson. He noted the explosive growth in China's economy over the previous years, as well as its manufacturing sector as one of the most essential factors. Furthermore, he implied the downfall of the west due to their inability of managing liabilities.

In contrast, "most Asian 'tigers' have grown about 9% a year for about twenty to twenty-five years", stated Fareed Zakaria. He then continued by saying that "they then shift downwards to about 6% or 5% a year". In addition, he stated that China has a inefficient 'quality of growth' - simply put, they consume vast quantities of resources for small gains.

Aside from both those speakers, David Li and Dr Kissinger held the most unique views in my opinion. "China's emergence is not implying it will dominate", said Li. Kissinger agreed and praised China's success but argued that internal problems (an aging society, lack of jobs, extreme differences between advanced coastal regions and developing interior regions, and a vast migrant population) will inhibit China. "Together we will all own the century", Li concluded.

In the end however, the guest of honour, Henry Kissinger, and his debate partner Fareed Zakaria were announced the victors of the debate.

I personally found it difficult to establish either a definite 'yes' or 'no' response to this question due to the complexity of the factors involved. However, taking into account my personal knowledge of China as well as the arguments presented, I believe that China will play a predominant role, but  it in fact will not control the century.

Carlos Slim Helú - Success

First and foremost, welcome to my blog.
For my very first post, I thought this would be appropriate.
This was a letter sent to graduating university students by Carlos Slim Helú - philanthropist and the world's richest man.
His message is one that truly inspires.

Mexico City, June 1994

"I write to you this letter in order to share some of my life experiences, hoping it will contribute to your education, your way of thinking and living, your emotional well-being, your sense of responsibility to yourselves and to others, your maturity, and above all, to your happiness, which should be the result of your daily existence.
You are privileged within society due to your talents and efforts, and for the best reason, your own worth.
Success is not about doing things well or even very well, or being acknowledged by others. It is not an external opinion, but rather an internal status. It is the harmony between the soul and your emotions, which requires love, family, friendship, authenticity and integrity.
To be as exceptional as you are is a privilege, but it also entails many risks that can have an impact on values that are much more important than professional, economic, social or political “success”. Emotional strength and stability are in the interior life, and in avoiding emotions that erode the soul such as envy, jealousy, arrogance, lust, selfishness, vengeance, greed and laziness, which are a poison that is ingested little by little.
When you give, do not expect to receive. “Fragrance clings to the hand that gives the rose,” says a Chinese proverb. Do not allow negative feelings and emotions to control your mind. Emotional harm does not come from others; it is conceived and developed within ourselves.
Do not mix up your values or betray your principles. Life’s road is very long, but it is traveled fast. Live the present intensely and fully, do not let the past be a burden, and let the future be an incentive. Each person forges his or her own destiny and it may influence reality. Do not ignore it.
Live with positive feelings and emotions such as love, friendship, loyalty, courage, joy, good humor, enthusiasm, peace, serenity, patience, trust, tolerance, prudence and responsibility. Do not allow their opposites to invade your soul, may they pass quickly from your mind, do not allow them to stay there, banish them. You will make mistakes many times, it is normal and human; but try to make them small, then accept, correct and forget them. Do not be obsessed by them; heaven and hell are within us. What is most valuable in life does not cost anything but is very precious: love, friendship, nature and what man has been able to achieve with it; the forms, colors, sounds, smells that we perceive with our senses can only be appreciated when we are emotionally awake.
Live without fear and guilt; fear is the worst feeling men can have, it weakens them, inhibits action and depresses them. Guilt is a tremendous burden in our lives, the way we think and act. Guilt and fear make the present difficult and obstruct the future. To fight them, let us have good sense and accept ourselves as we are, with our realities, our merits and our sorrows.
Staying occupied displaces preoccupation and problems, and when we face our problems, they disappear. Thus, they make us stronger every day. We should learn from failure, and successes should be silent incentives. Act always as your conscience dictates, because it never lies. Fear and guilt will then be minimal. Do not block yourself in, do not ruin your life, live it with intelligence, with soul and senses aware and on the alert; get to know their manifestations and train yourselves to appreciate and enjoy life.
Work well done is not only a responsibility to yourselves and society; it is also an emotional need.
At the end we depart with nothing, we leave behind only our work, family and friends, and, perhaps, a positive influence which we have planted.

My very best wishes,

Carlos Slim Helú"