In the first half of 2013, Twitter posted revenue of $253.6 million but had a loss of $69.3 million. The losses are a non-issue. It would have been a surprise if they had a profit.

Brian Wieser

Said Brian Wieser, analyst at Pivotal Research Group -  a New York City based registered investment advisory firm - in a statement quoted by Reuters in its news report today under the title "Twitter reveals rip-roaring growth, big losses ahead of IPO." Further, commenting on the H1 results of Twitter, he said : "Here's the number that really matters. It's the revenue per customer. The question is how much is the typical commitment they're getting from advertisers at this time," Reuters reported.

Twitter filed the required document with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2013 for its $ 1 billion IPO. The company has expressed its intention to list the common stock under the symbol "TWTR." Twitter, in its SEC filing says : "We have more than 215 million monthly active users, or MAUs, and more than 100 million daily active users, spanning nearly every country. Our users include millions of people from around the world, as well as influential individuals and organizations, such as world leaders, government officials, celebrities, athletes, journalists, sports teams, media outlets and brands. Our users create approximately 500 million Tweets every day.

(Photo source : Twitter)

When President Barack Obama (@barackobama) won the 2012 U.S. presidential election, he first declared victory publicly not on television or other public media, but on Twitter. The President's Tweet was viewed approximately 25 million times on Twitter and widely distributed offline in print and broadcast media.

Twitter has revealed that from 2011 to 2012, its revenue increased by 198% to $316.9 million, net loss decreased by 38% to $79.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 149% to $21.2 million. From the six months ended June 30, 2012 to the six months ended June 30, 2013, revenue increased by 107% to $253.6 million, net loss increased by 41% to $69.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased by $20.7 million to $21.4 million. 

The Twitter's SEC filing mentions numerous risks and uncertainties associated with their business. It says : "We generate the substantial majority of our revenue from advertising, and the loss of advertising revenue could harm our business. If we fail to grow our user base, or if user engagement or the number of paid engagements with our pay-for-performance Promoted Products, which we refer to as ad engagements, on our platform decline, our revenue, business and operating results may be harmed." The company also anticipates substantial expenditure arising from the tax liabilities it undertakes initial settlement of restricted stock units, or RSUs.

As per the company's valuation of August 5, 2013, the fair value of Twitter's common stock was $20.62 per share and based on this, RSUs granted through September 5, 2013 were also valued at $20.62 per share. The third-party valuation of Twitter's common stock undertaken first time on November 18, 2011, was $13.05 per share based on which the fair value of RSUs granted through March 9, 2012 was determined to be $13.05 per share. However, a non-marketability discount of 15% was applied. Since July 1, 2010, Twitter has granted options to purchase an aggregate of 32,651,260 common stock shares - under equity compensation plans - to company's directors, officers, employees, consultants and other service providers at exercise prices ranging from approximately $0.05 to $14.42 per share.

Illness and aging affect all our families. With some longer term, moonshot thinking around healthcare and biotechnology, I believe we can improve millions of lives.

Larry Page, Google CEO

Said Larry Page, Google CEO, on September 18, 2013, announcing the launch of a new company named 'Calico' that will focus on health and well-being, in particular the challenge of aging and associated diseases. As per the press release from Google HQ, Arthur D. Levinson, Chairman and former CEO of Genentech and Chairman of Apple, will be Chief Executive Officer and a founding investor. Arthur Levinson, one of the leading scientists, entrepreneurs and CEOs, has devoted much of his life to science and technology, with the goal of improving human health. The press release has quoted him saying : "Larry’s focus on out-sized improvements has inspired me, and I’m tremendously excited about what’s next.” (Larry Page on Calico)

Arthur D. Levinson

Born on March 31, 1950 in Seattle, WA, Levinson received his Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology from the University of Washington (1972) and earned a doctorate in Biochemical Sciences from Princeton University (1977). He is also a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco (source : CV). He is also a member of the Roche Board of Directors. 

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, commenting on Larry Page's new project and Levinson's appointment as the CEO, said: “For too many of our friends and family, life has been cut short or the quality of their life is too often lacking. Art is one of the crazy ones who thinks it doesn’t have to be this way. There is no one better suited to lead this mission and I am excited to see the results.”

It is a widely known fact that Larry does not think in terms of 10 percent improvement in a product or service. He expects his employees to create products and services that are 10 times better than the competition. This is because he feels that a 10 percent improvement means that you’re basically doing the same thing as everybody else. According to him, with this approach one probably won’t fail spectacularly, but certainly can't succeed wildly. Its not enough to discover a couple of hidden efficiencies or tweaking code to achieve modest gains. At the same time, Larry is of the view that thousand-percent improvement requires rethinking problems entirely, exploring the edges of what’s technically possible, and having a lot more fun in the process. It is said that Larry lives in a 10x world where working on moonshot projects is a way of life - a habit rather than a dream. Through Calico, Larry wants to pursue one of his radical ideas and proposals (also called 'Moonshots') aimed at achieving immortality.

Ray Kurzweil speaking on innovation
and the future of technology at
2013 Georgia Technology Summit

Ray Kurzweil - who joined Google as Director of Engineering in December last year - is a well known researcher in the field of Applied Intelligence (AI), a leading futurist and a successful author and entrepreneur.  He is described as a 'Singularitarian Immortalist' in media because he is confident that humans will soon develop technology advanced enough to keep us alive forever. In his lectures and writings he claims that within 15 years we’ll have technology that will let us add years to our lives at a pace that’s faster than the years we lose through natural aging. Speaking at the Global Future 2045 conference (GF2045), held in New York City in June 2013, Kurzweil said that 3-D molecular computing would provide the hardware for human-level ‘strong’ AI well before 2030. He hoped that as a result of achieving inconceivable heights of intelligence, material progress, computation, communication, biological technologies — DNA sequencing etc. human immortality could be achieved by 2045. The appointment of Kurzweil is now being seen as a part of Google's plan to execute its Moonshot Calico project aimed at achieving immortality.

Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page's detailed interview has been published in the Sept. 30 issue of TIME in which he talks at length about the Calico project. The Time has provided a content preview under the title "Google vs. Death".

There is a huge gulf between what Islam preaches and what its followers practice in almost all walks of life. The great faith insists on universal brotherhood and equality of all human beings before God.

Aijaz Zaka Syed

Said Aijaz Z. Syed - a Gulf based commentator and author - in his article published in Arab News under the title "Gulf between perception and reality of Muslims".

The article provides an insight into the thought process of those who are muslims in a true sense. Aijaz cites recent incidents of extremist violence, around the world, like — the Nairobi mall siege, the attack on a church in Pakistan and attack on college students in Nigeria — and emphasises that people behind such acts of violence have nothing to do with Islam. Further, he says that perpetrators of these shameful acts cannot be Muslims because Islam represents and stands for peace — in Arabic it literally means peace — and mercy. There is a huge gulf between what Islam preaches and what its followers practice in almost all walks of life. 

In a news item published in Arab News of September 30, 2013, it has been reported that increasing number of young students between the ages of 15-17 have been found, by their teachers, mocking Islam, spreading illicit ideas and expressing disrespectful views about Islamic laws at schools in Saudi Arabia. Students have been found laughing during prayers. Teachers feel that most of these children have been affected by globalization and are carried away by a desire to imitate what they deem as Western freedom expressing disrespectful views about Islamic laws. In order to curb this kind of illegal behavior, the education ministry of Saudi Arabia has warned students and contemplated penalties for violating the code of behavior including, among others, preventing a guilty student from pursuing studies for one academic year. The ministry has expressed concern about the harmful effect of such behavior on students and the community. The ministry's codes of conduct for students aim to build a generation committed to Islam and the country.

"The great faith insists on universal brotherhood and equality of all human beings before God. It says all human life is sacred and warns taking one innocent life is akin to killing entire humanity. But what does our conduct demonstrate? No matter what we say in our defense or that of Islam, ultimately we are judged by our actions, not by our words. We can go on claiming for all eternity that the Holy Qur’an, the last revealed divine testament according to our belief, preaches universal brotherhood and that this is the first universal charter of human rights. But do we really believe in and practice what we preach? More to the point, what message does this send out to the world? We may go on righteously protesting that this has nothing to do with faith. But like it or not, such reasoning doesn’t cut it. The world judges us by who we are, not by what we claim to be. If we stand for peace and salvation, our lives must attest to it and our actions must show it. It is as simple as that", writes Aijaj in his article.

Gandhi is a real hero of mine

Said President Barack Obama during his interaction with 9th Graders of Wakefield High School, Arlington, Virginia on September 8, 2009.

Today is 'Gandhi Jayanti' - the 144th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948) popularly known as ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ or better still as ‘Father of the Nation’. In 2007, the United Nations declared 2nd October as the International Day of Non-Violence, as a mark of respectful tribute to a person who dedicated his life practicing the principles of non-violence, equality or oneness, and truthfulness.

President Barack Obama (White House)

President Barack Obama - also winner of the Nobel Peace prize (2009) - when asked, during his Interaction Meet, by a student of Wakefield High School "If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? The President replied : "Dinner with anyone dead or alive? Well, you know, dead or alive, that's a pretty big list. You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine. Now, it would probably be a really small meal because -- (laughter) -- he didn't eat a lot. But he's somebody who I find a lot of inspiration in. He inspired Dr. King, so if it hadn't been for the non-violent movement in India, you might not have seen the same non-violent movement for civil rights here in the United States. He inspired César Chávez, and he -- and what was interesting was that he ended up doing so much and changing the world just by the power of his ethics, by his ability to change how people saw each other and saw themselves -- and help people who thought they had no power realize that they had power, and then help people who had a lot of power realize that if all they're doing is oppressing people, then that's not a really good exercise of power. So I'm always interested in people who are able to bring about change, not through violence, not through money, but through the force of their personality and their ethical and moral stances. And that's somebody that I'd love to sit down and talk to". (Source : White House Press Office)

Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General

In his message on this occasion, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said : "Today we celebrate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and his resonant legacy of non-violence.  Gandhi showed the power of peacefully opposing oppression, injustice and hatred.  His example has inspired many other history-makers such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Václav Havel, Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Nelson Mandela.  Their message to each of us is to champion human dignity, reject intolerance and work for a world where people of all cultures and beliefs live together on the basis of respect and equality". 

He concluded his message by saying : :On this International Day of Non-Violence, I call on global citizens everywhere to be inspired by the courage of people like Mahatma Gandhi. Turn your back to division and hatred; stand up for what is right and just.  Work with your fellow women and men for a world of lasting justice, peace and prosperity for all".

“Non-Violence,” a sculpture by Karl Fredrik Reutersward,
sits permanently outside UN Headquarters in New York

Some links and pictorial illustrations of his personality are given below :

Rabindranth Tagore on Mahatma Gandhi

The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi

by R.K. Prabhu & U.R. Rao 

Neither Saint nor Sinner       

My Mahatmaship

Top world leaders and authors from different fields have said and written volumes about Mahatma Gandhi but his own "An Autobiography" Or "The story of my experiments with truth" provides the deepest insight into his philosophy and thought. 

I have discovered that much of the ancient Chinese wisdom and philosophies have been forgotten. There is a lot of cultural traditionalism but the thoughts of the ancient wise men have been largely forgotten.

Michael Murphy

Said Michael Murphy - a US born professional educator and author residing in Zhengzhou, Henan Province of China - in his blog on October 1, 2013.

Michael shares is philosophical thoughts in his post titled "You Are The Master Of Your Own Fate" and discusses at length the teachings of Lao Tzu, 6th Century B.C. Chinese philosopher. Michael feels that China has forgotten ancient Chinese wisdom and philosophies, and adopted too many Western ways and values that look quite superficial. 

According to Michael, Lao Tzu taught that 'less is more.' According to Lao Tzu, the battle in life is not outside of the man. It happens from within. The success lies in mastering one's own self. The inner control of one's own self is important not the outer control of others. 

Michael has given Lao Tzu's saying which is quite inspiring :

Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment. 
Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.

Michael goes on narrating his experiences and how he has implemented teachings of ancient philosophers like Lao Tzu by establishing certain principles for himself.

A very thought provoking and inspiring post, indeed. Thank you, Michael, for sharing your noble thoughts.

China consumed about 3.6 billion tons of standard coal equivalent (TCE) in 2012, and accounted for one fifth of the global energy consumption. China's energy consumption, if it increases by 200 million every year, will probably rise to eight or nine billion TCE in the future

The China International Energy Cooperation Report 2012/2013,
released in Beijing outlines China's energy development, current
problems & future international cooperation. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Said : Wu Zongxin, a professor at Tsinghua University, said in his keynote speech at an event organised to launch "The China International Energy Cooperation Report 2012/2013" in Beijing, reported China's national online news service on September 27, 2013. 

The event was jointly hosted by Renmin University of China, the Center for International Energy and Environment Strategy Studies of Renmin University (CIEESS), Energy Outlook Magazine and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Wu Zongxin feels that China - in order to meet its energy demand and cut carbon emissions - needs to look for international energy cooperation. China has become the largest energy consumer in the world and as a result overtaken the United States as the world's top annual emitter of carbon dioxide. Approximately 70 percent of China's total energy comes from coal based resources. According to Wu, China's dependency of foreign oil has exceeded 55 percent. Natural gas currently only accounts for about five percent of China's primary energy consumption whereas Nuclear power currently accounts for only two percent of China's electricity output. The global average of Natural gas use in energy consumption is almost 24 percent whereas nuclear power accounts for 16 percent. There is mounting pressure on China for switching to clean energy sources in order to reduce carbon emissions and avoid carbon tax.

China's National Energy Administration (NEA) is responsible for formulating and implementing energy development plans and industrial policies; promoting institutional reform in the energy sector; administering energy sectors including coal, oil, natural gas, power (including nuclear power), new and renewable energy etc.

iPhone 5c is selling at a discount in China. China has turned out to be the least interested in Apple's cheaper version of iPhone. iPhone 5S is outselling iPhone 5c by a factor of four to one.

Said : a Chinese website 'caijing' in a report of September 26, 2013.

(Source : Apple)

Apple's 'so-called' cheaper iPhone 5c, is reported to be selling at discounts due to disappointing demand and buyers' craze for the premier model iPhone 5s. Apple has acknowledged that the company will never go for cheap product and will just remain a high-end phone maker. Some analysts have, therefore, started believing that the introduction of 5c model could be the company's deliberate sales strategy to attract potential customers to its 5s model. Appel's gold colored 5s has already become a hit with buyers as it distinctly differentiates them with those who possess old models. Apple might have had the same 'differentiation' theory in mind while introducing 5c plastic model in various colors. The gold-model iPhone 5s is commanding a huge premium particularly in Asian markets and prices are pushed to over 10,000 yuan ($1634) at some re-sellers stores in China amid a mania for the color. Some grey market sellers have claimed they have sold this model for more than INR 1,50000 which comes to more than $2400!

The word 'c' neither stands for cheap nor for color. It might be for 'coequal' because of very narrow price difference and a very carefully thought out marketing strategy.

Caijing report has a very appropriate title "Apple may never have had any intention of selling a budget Smartphone but its iPhone 5c is already on its way to becoming one in China". According to this report China’s largest business-to-consumer retail platform has slashed the price of the 5c from 4488 yuan (or around USD $733) to 3699 Yuan (USD $604). Caijing says that despite all the talk about the iPhone 5C being Apple’s great multi-hued hope, reports so far indicate that the marginally more expensive iPhone 5S is outselling it by a factor of four to one. Similar trend has been reported from the UK, Australia and other global markets.

I checked the price of iPhone 5c on tmall.com, China's largest retail website, only a short while ago. The screen shots are given above along with Apple's official prices. I could find the price reduction in the 16GB model but there was no drop in the 32GB model 5c.