jody

Ah, the sweet smell of ingenuity. When Amsterdam designer Jody Kocken discovered she was allergic to wearing perfume, she didn't just resign herself to a world without White Diamonds and Someday by Justin Bieber. Kocken rolled up her sleeves and created Perfume Tools.

Perfume Tools are metal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces designed to sit over the opening of a perfume bottle. The jewelry soaks up the smell of the perfume, without ever requiring you to slather it behind your ears. Nestle a bracelet or necklace next to your skin and the heat of your body releases the aroma.… Read more

For anyone who's seen the film "Contact," the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is a very noble cause. And over the last 35 years, Jill Tarter, who was the inspiration for Jodie Foster's character, has become known as the world's most famous alien hunter.

For years, Tarter has been the director of the Center for SETI Research, and in that position, she has worked harder than almost anyone on the planet to try to find new friends in the skies. So far, her work, and that of her many colleagues around the world, has been unrewarded. Yet, in spite of constant battles for funding and the skepticism of those who believe we're alone in the universe, Tarter has persevered, and SETI has continued. … Read more

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd made repeated sexual overtures--including kisses and inappropriate touching--according to the woman whose sexual harassment allegations led to Hurd's ouster.

The eight-page letter (see below), which was the subject of much contention, was written to Hurd by celebrity attorney Gloria Allred on behalf of Jodie Fisher, a former salesperson and one-time actress who accused the HP chief of trying to initiate an affair over a two-year period.

Hurd lost his battle to keep the letter confidential yesterday when a Delaware court ruled that Hurd had not established "good cause" to keep the letter … Read more

Finally, the public will be able to read the letter that cost Mark Hurd his job. A judge in the Delaware Chancery Court hearing a shareholder lawsuit ruled that the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard hadn't made a strong enough case for why the letter should be kept secret, as he argued in December.

"Whether or not to seal a document allegedly containing confidential information does not turn on whether its disclosure would cause embarrassment," Judge Donald Parsons Jr. wrote in his opinion.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking records related to Hurd's departure from HP in … Read more

commentary Mark Hurd is now a Silicon Valley symbol for self-destructive behavior.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal and Fortune magazine published detailed reports on what prompted the HP board to ask then-CEO Hurd to resign in August. The stories paint a picture of a reckless man who was given the trust and support of HP's board only to repay that trust with betrayal.

The reports should finally silence the critics who slammed HP's board after Hurd was forced out of HP, after five years as CEO. Up to now, we knew few details about what led up … Read more

Sexual harassment, inaccurate expense reporting, and now disclosing inside information?

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that former Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd revealed confidential company information to former contractor Jodie Fisher, whose claim that he sexually harassed her led to his resignation from the company this summer.

That bit of information reportedly came out of a letter written to Hurd by Fisher's lawyer Gloria Allred on June 29, which is what set off the board investigation into Hurd's activities. In the letter, Allred accused Hurd of sexually harassing Fisher, and that "Hurd told her of HP's … Read more

What's next on the career path for former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd?

Hurd, who resigned after an investigation into sexual-harassment claims found that he violated standards of business conduct, reportedly has told friends that he's received a variety of job offers, including one the day after he exited HP, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Although Hurd hasn't revealed the sources of the job offers, a person cited by the Journal as familiar with the situation said that the former CEO has been approached by a variety of businesses, including public companies and private-equity … Read more

The fallout from Mark Hurd's resignation from Hewlett-Packard last week continues.

On Wednesday came news that one of Hurd's closest aides, and a person connected to the hiring of the marketing contractor whose sexual harassment claim led to Hurd's resignation, resigned from HP this week.

Fortune reported that Caprice Fimbres McIlvaine has also left the company, effective Monday. An HP representative confirmed her departure but would not comment on the reason.

McIlvaine's title was CEO Program Manager, according to HP. Fortune adds that she was in charge of internal communications and operated as a chief of … Read more

On today's show, we've discovered the secret of the Bermuda Triangle -- well, some scientists discovered it. We just call it a giant angry Earth fart, like the one that's apparently going to destroy us all. Oh, and also, soft-core porn, falsified expense reports, and a vengeful board. It's the HP Way!