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May 28, 2009

Zurich's allright



Here is what an Australian traveller writes:

if I were raising three kids and a dog, Zurich would be very high on my list of places to do it






Posted by Guy Spier at 06:27 PM | | Comments ()

May 26, 2009

Zurich Quality of life

Zurich,Quality of Life, Et Al

Zurich,Quality of Life, Et Al Procyonm The Swiss could teach the world a few good things, the act of preservation is so central to their life.

Posted by Guy Spier at 11:50 PM | | Comments ()

May 22, 2009

At the Bridge Table, Clues to a Lucid Old Age

There is mounting evidence that Bridge is much more than just a game.

Not only does Warren Buffett play the game, he encourages Berkshire Shareholders by setting up a bridge area outside Borsheims at the annual shareholder meeting.

Now this New York Times article adds what I have already been learning:  Bridge is extremely effective at delaying the onset of all sorts of age related mental deterioration.


So far, scientists here have found little evidence that diet or exercise affects the risk of dementia in people over 90. But some researchers argue that mental engagement — doing crossword puzzles, reading books — may delay the arrival of symptoms. And social connections, including interaction with friends, may be very important, some suspect. In isolation, a healthy human mind can go blank and quickly become disoriented, psychologists have found.

“There is quite a bit of evidence now suggesting that the more people you have contact with, in your own home or outside, the better you do” mentally and physically, Dr. Kawas said. “Interacting with people regularly, even strangers, uses easily as much brain power as doing puzzles, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is what it’s all about.”

And bridge, she added, provides both kinds of stimulation.



At the Berkshire meeting, I met and talked to a physician's assistant, who gave anecdotal evidence:  In her view, bridge players - even more than chess players, do better as they age.  Apparently, bridge excercises more mental pathways in the brain than even chess.





Posted by Guy Spier at 08:53 AM | | Comments ()

May 21, 2009

The Master of Money - review of Snowball by Michael Lewis in The New Republic



I think that Michael Lewis provides the best review yet of Snowball.  Indeed, I think that it builds on Alice Schroeder's work & gives some perspective on the book itself.





Posted by Guy Spier at 10:49 AM | | Comments ()

May 14, 2009

Education from China to Brazil

Here is a copy of my presentation on Education from China to Brazil

Value Investing Congress Presentation
View more presentations from aquamarine.


Posted by Guy Spier at 07:46 AM | | Comments ()

May 13, 2009

Hacking Education - Fred Wilson


This is really important.

The internet and social networking are going to change the face of education beyond all recognition.  First thing to go will be textbooks:  Bye bye McGraw Hill and Pearson for starters.  Click on the link to read more.



Posted by Guy Spier at 11:28 PM | | Comments ()

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