Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told the NYT that Starbucks is "more relevant to our customers than ever before...arguing that his cafes can be a refuge from the economic storm."  Schultz said, "We are not selling a commodity cup of coffee.  We have created a  unique experience."  But the company… more

In the past week, I've been in South Africa and Canada, as well as the U.S., speaking and exchanging ideas with leaders.  It occurred to me that in all three nations, there is a romanticized notion of the role rural areas still play in their success. 

In the U.S., we've… more

Here's how the New York Times describe the Carnegie Hall concert of Joao Gilberto: "...it is also very clearly an urban music, working its subtleties within confined spaces and rigid limitations, like an apartment dweller intent on not disturing neighbors."