Accumulated Interest

Warning: Prolonged exposure to curiosity about energy, leadership, and life may result in unexpected insights and chronic thinking ☕️ 5 minute read

What the Hell is This? Welcome to Accumulated Interest

"Learning is compounded curiosity, and wisdom is compounded learning." -- me (though when I tested this quote against various AI models, they confidently attributed it to everyone from Charlie Munger to a TikTok influencer, which tells you something about both AI and wisdom)

I believe in the deep value of lived experience -- it can show us patterns in chaos and music in noise, if we let it. Along the way, I've seen some things, done some things, and thought some things---especially about energy, leadership, and life's big questions---enough to fill a blog and maybe inspire some new perspective. I don't think I'm especially special, but with a face for podcasting and a voice for writing, I lean into what I've got: curiosity, accumulated interests, and just enough wit to keep you coming back.

This blog is for the eternally curious -- whether you're an energy expert, a leader-in-progress, or simply someone who believes learning about important things shouldn't require a caffeine IV drip. If you think grappling with climate change and laughing shouldn't be mutually exclusive activities, you're in the right place.

If you've made it this far, I think we're off to a good start.

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Who Am I? Why Am I Here?

I've spent most of my adult life working on energy, the environment, and climate as a consultant. Along the way, I've been fortunate to work for outstanding firms, support incredible clients, and collaborate with some of the most creative and technically brilliant people I could imagine. I've worked hard, and it's paid off---I've held titles like Partner, Executive Vice President, and Managing Director, and I've led global teams spanning from Guam to Germany.

But this blog isn't about my "resume virtues" (h/t David Brooks) or my current work. Sure, I'll have plenty to say about the changing nature of energy as we confront climate change. And I like to think I know a few things about business leadership that might make you think---and even laugh. Please laugh.

Mostly, though, this blog is powered by something more personal: the lessons I've learned while trying to lead a meaningful life---one that matters most to the people I love. Along the way, there will be insights, a few stories, and yes, the occasional name-drop (like that time I met Barbra Streisand, and my mere presence seemed to annoy the hell out of her).

Through this (individualistic) blog, I'll share reflections on energy, leadership, and trying to live better every day. Let's see where this takes us.

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What to Expect

Accumulated Interest is a periodic blog -- I'll do my best to make it weekly but, hey, this is a side project so bear with me. My aim is that it will take you about 10 minutes to read but might prompt you to spend much more than that during the week between posts, and that you'll come back.

Accumulated Interest will be a series of irregularly rotating segments, each intended to walk that fine line between clever and stupid (h/t David St. Hubbins):

Hot Takes on a Warming Planet:
"Quick, sharp commentary on climate and energy developments - because sometimes you need perspective faster than the planet is warming"

In an Analogy Far, Far Away:
"Sometimes unexpected analogies or parallels help make complex topics more accessible. Sometimes they are the rantings of people in trench coats at the public library about how sunshine is government surveillance. You decide."

Tales from an Unreliable Narrator:
"Question the questionable, and you'll find that confident is not the same as credible. Who's spinning tales taller than offshore wind turbines? What's amazing is that you don't have to look that far to find the tailor of the emperor's new clothes."

Timeless or Time's Up?:
"Evaluating whether conventional wisdom (and sometimes pieces of music, writing, or art) still hold up or will stand the test of time."

While energy, climate, and leadership are my north stars, I will also wander into unexpected territory - from poetry that moves me to books I've read that shape how I think. Consider these detours part of the 'accumulated interest' on your investment of time here.

I hope you'll find Accumulated Interest to be a place where "serious" and "funny" can coexist, where big questions and small laughs are shared.

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What You'll Never See Here

What you won't find here: generic business platitudes, doom-scrolling climate catastrophism, or unqualified life advice. I might not be right, but I won't be glib.

I won't chase the issues that saturate daily news coverage just to keep to a schedule.

Also, this is a spare time project for me -- not even a side-hustle -- so I won't be talking about any part of my "day job" -- look for me on LinkedIn if you want to know about that.

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Subscribe!

Thanks for taking a first look at Accumulated Interest. Here's some of what's coming up over the next few weeks:

In an Analogy Far, Far Away: Death Trap Auto -- What a temperamental Ford Fairmont taught me about innovation, regulation...and the future of climate action?

Tales from an Unreliable Narrator: The WSJ Editorial Board highlights an important tradeoff that didn't happen

Hot Takes on a Warming Planet: Crossing a climate threshold is like crossing a marriage threshold -- it takes decades to know what you've gotten yourself into

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