Today’s POTD comes from Dolores Aloia and
is a wonderful shot of a Buddha in Japan. A beautiful close up shot of the buddha’s hands as the Buddha sits (perhaps?)
in the Lotus position.
Nye on America’s PR Prob
Along the lines of an earlier entry on anti-Americanism and business, respected Harvard Prof
and writer Joseph Nye writes about the
Bush adminstration’s severe need for better PR abroad as both America’s image and American business are affected by the
seemingly pervasive anti-American sentiments overseas. His remedy:
Most important in the current situation will be the development of a long-term strategy of cultural and
educational exchanges aimed at developing a richer and more open civil society in Middle Eastern countries.
And then following up on a similar topic, the Guardian (via Salon)
talks about the ex-Presidents (no not the
superheroes) efforts to imporove the US image via their Tsunami relief efforts.
Welcome Cinematical
Film afficionados rejoice. We have a new blog for you. BUt this is not just ANY blog, this is
Cinematical (it even SOUNDS epic) a blog dedicated to ALL things film. It is
written by folks who really KNOW what they’re talking about, so pick up some popcorn and give it a go.
Shanghai Diaries
Dan Washburn runs a killer blog called Shanghai Dairies that is a
must-read. In
this entry,
he talks about his odd obession with taking a gander at Chairman’s Mao’s dessicating corpse, with a thoughtful
rumination on corpses in general and the cult of mao today.
Thailand Works on Bringing Back the Biz
It has been a little over two months since the tsunami’s hit and Thailand has really been working
hard at getting your business back. According to
Travel Daily News the
country has a new plan of attack which includes an invitation by the Royal Thai Government and Thai
Airways, extended to 1,000 travel editors and tourism agents. Editors and agents will inspect and confirm
the operation of most sites. Other marketing tactics involve the construction of memorials and museums about the
tsunami’s and their aftermath. Several cultural activities and ‘mega’ tourism events are being set in place as
well. Best of luck to the ‘Land of Smiles’.