While most sectors of the stock market have seen an uneven advance, replete with many false starts and lots of volatility, since global stock markets hit a post-financial crisis low in the early spring of 2009, luxury retailers seem to continue to enjoy a very different kind of experience.Since March 2009, the MSCI textiles, apparel and luxury index has generated total returns for investors of 153%, compared to 54% for the MSCI world index.

via Chart of the Week: Return on “Luxury” Retailing Outpaces Broad Market Threefold – Alpha Now.

Besides their obvious manliness factor, beards apparently may have served some evolutionary advantage. Providing ancient man with warmth, intimidation through a stronger jaw line, and protection- cushioning blows to the face. Although beards were/are considered manly one of the greatest conquerors of all time, Alexander the Great, required that his soldiers be clean shaven. So as to avoid any pulling the enemy army might be inclined to do.

Fellow unbearded men do not fear, according to today’s infographic on average we are found 2/3 more attractive than men with beards. Although clean shaven men tend to actually be more successful those with beards are seen as being of higher status, older, more-respected, and powerful. Women I’m sorry this is one sided, but it’s still interesting. Enjoy and share!

via Beards [infographic].

At either end, a small cap can be added that contains an additional sensor,letting users interchange pieces to fit diverse situations. current caps include ‘luma’ which contains 8 LEDsthat can be set individually to turn on or off or in custom patterns; and ‘clima’, which senses barometric pressure,wind speed, temperature, and humidity.

Modules planned for future release include an infrared thermometerand radiation detector. in addition, after the original ‘node’ kickstarter run, the company is planning to releasea set of gas sensing modules called ‘oxa’ for the device, each capable of detecting levels of a different gaslike carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chlorine, nitric oxide, hydrogen, or sulfur dioxide.

via node modular sensor system.

How Recession Affecting UK Families – Infographic | Baines & Ernst.

via Social networking sites and politics | Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.

via The Boot to Gecko Project.

It’s a 100 year countdown to the grand opening of Westfield Stratford City on September 13th, 2011, and celebrates a century of East London fashion, style, dance and music.

The music for this short film on style, fashion, dance and music, was commissioned from Oscar nominated genius Tristin Norwell who took a simple tune and interpreted it for each decade over 100 years.

According to The Free Dictionary, “style” is: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance characterizing a particular person, group, era, etc. A quality of imagination and individuality expressed in one’s actions and tastes. A comfortable and elegant mode of existence. The fashion of the moment, especially of dress.

Short Film – 100 Years/100 Seconds – Style / Fashion / Dance / Music – StumbleUpon.

The movement began last summer at the Black Hat Briefings where Moxie Marlinspike introduced Convergence, his proposal for a CSA alternative. Convergence is a secure protocol that includes a client and server implementation that enables users to rely on a network of notary servers to validate the authenticity of SSL certificates rather than certificate authorities. Convergence, he said, gives users the ability to choose which CA to trust and be agile enough to revise that decision at their discretion.

via RSA 2012: SSL certificate authority security takes a beating.

via The Scenic Route to a Longer Life [infographic] | Daily Infographic.

A field guide to identifying bad listeners About the author Comments 5A senior executive of a large consumer goods company had spotted a bold partnership opportunity in an important developing market and wanted to pull the trigger quickly to stay ahead of competitors. In meetings on the topic with the leadership team, the CEO noted that this trusted colleague was animated, adamant, and very persuasive about the move’s game-changing potential for the company. The facts behind the deal were solid.

via The executive’s guide to better listening – McKinsey Quarterly – Governance – Leadership.