Nyepi

Ogoh Ogoh tonight - parade of monsters and gods and whatever comes to mind with the various banjar, villages, that Bali is made up of. Hope it doesn't rain on them. Tomorrow Nyepi - 24 hours of no lights, no flights, not going outside. It's always on the night of the new moon. Hope it's not overcast because there's no sky like a nighttime Nyepi sky.

RIP Sarah Wormald

Life in Bali with Sara Wormald - Sarah Wormals died on Tuesday, March 18th.

Above is a Podbean link to a podcast for Sarah Wormald. It's a replay of two podcasts done with Sarah in 2020 and 2021. To hear it on other platforms - YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, etc, search for Cuke Audio Podcasts. 

Sarah Wormald was a diver who wrote Diving in Indonesia: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Best Dive Spots: Bali, Komodo, Sulawesi, Papua, and more.  Farewell Sarah. Sorry you died so young--at 44. We will miss you. Love, DC

Consider Barnes and Noble

Barnes & Noble is owned by Elliott Investment Management, a U.S.-based investment firm that acquired the bookstore chain in August 2019. The company is currently led by James Daunt, who is also the EO of Waterstones, a UK bookstore chain that Elliott also owns.

James Daunt is widely regarded as a thoughtful and influential figure in the global book industry, particularly for his work revitalizing bookstores. As a world citizen, he embodies several qualities:

1. Advocate for Independent Bookstores & Literary Culture

• Before leading Barnes & Noble and Waterstones, Daunt founded Daunt Books, a small chain of independent bookstores in London, known for their curated selections and inviting atmosphere.

• His approach emphasizes local autonomy—allowing individual store managers to select books suited to their communities rather than relying on centralized buying decisions.

2. Reshaping Corporate Book Retailing Ethically

• At Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, he moved away from the “big-box” bookstore model, restoring a sense of independence to each location.

• He removed “pay-to-play” publisher deals (where publishers paid for prominent shelf placement) to ensure books were stocked based on merit and local demand rather than corporate influence.

3. Bridging the UK & US Book Markets

• By leading both Waterstones (UK) and Barnes & Noble (US), he has played a role in shaping the book retail industry across two major markets.

• His approach has been seen as a blend of British independent bookstore culture with American commercial scale.

4. A Commitment to Sustainability & Literary Diversity

• Daunt has expressed concerns about Amazon’s dominance and how it affects bookstores and publishers.

• Under his leadership, bookstores have diversified their offerings, supporting smaller publishers and independent authors.

5. Global Influence on the Future of Bookstores

• His success in revitalizing struggling bookstores has made him a respected figure in global retail strategy.

• As the world shifts toward digital media, Daunt has been instrumental in proving that physical bookstores can still thrive by fostering community engagement.

Final Thoughts

James Daunt is not a political activist or public intellectual in the traditional sense, but as a world citizen, he has made a positive global impact on literature, book culture, and independent businesses. His leadership suggests a deep appreciation for intellectual diversity, community-focused retail, and ethical business practices, which are qualities often associated with responsible global citizenship.

Thanks Chat GPT for this summary of two questions.Who owns B & N? And what sort of world citizn is James Daunt?

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/