LATEST BLOG POSTS

People ask me all the time things like “how do you get by without flying?”, “How do you get by without a contract with the power company?”, and “how do you get by producing so little trash?” I know they’re thinking about material things and mainstream values of acquiring more stuff even at the expense of relationships so from their perspective I’m depriving myself and sacrificing. From my perspective, I’m[…] Keep reading →

I read stories on The Atlantic‘s website sometimes, but rarely read the physical magazine. I found a copy in my building’s mailing room’s recycling bin. I guess a neighbor with a subscription didn’t feel like reading this month’s issue. Here’s the issue in particular online. The articles tended to be intellectual, left-leaning or full anti-Trump, but largely portraying either victimhood or implying solidarity with or support for the downtrodden. The[…] Keep reading →

Since I’ve seen Maya’s work on the Years Project with people like executive producers James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger, I was worried I might feel starstruck. Oh wait, she also worked with series creators Joel Bach and David Gelber (of 60 Minutes); chief science advisors podcast guest Joseph Romm and Heidi Cullen; and episode hosts including Cameron, Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, Ian Somerhalder, America Ferrera, David Letterman, Gisele Bündchen, Jack Black,[…] Keep reading →

This week I finished: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It, by podcast guest Chris Voss: I read this book before recording the podcast with Chris and liked it, but not enough. This time I loved it. I think last time I compared it with Getting to Yes and thought it didn’t add much knowledge. It mostly promoted the value of practice and tactics beyond[…] Keep reading →

The title slightly overstates my accomplishment, since several sections remain unfinished, but I finished the very hard parts. The remaining parts need writing, but not figuring out composition and how they work. I finished enough to send what I finished to an editor at a publisher. I don’t remember when I started writing it, rather I didn’t start on a particular day, but I think I started getting more serious[…] Keep reading →

I grew up in liberal, progressive households and I don’t remember everything of how I viewed leadership, but I’m pretty sure I viewed it skeptically. Well, when Martin Luther King or Gandhi did it, it seemed inspirational, but when I considered doing it, I shied away. I’m trying to remember how I viewed it because I work with a lot of people who are liberal and progressive and they shy[…] Keep reading →

The library near me displays books, changing them every day or week or so. Today they had Roots by Alex Haley. I read the book in college, I think in my first year, which would mean 1988-89. It wasn’t for class and it’s a long book so I don’t know how I found time for it. I don’t remember much of it, but there are a few words in it[…] Keep reading →

I don’t write much about the type of politics covered in daily newspapers, but I can’t help commenting on a pattern these days I haven’t seen anyone comment on. Regular readers know I’m interacting more with institutions that promote limited government, such as the Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, Manhattan Institute, and Hillsdale College. Since I grew up in liberal, progressive households and school systems, but don’t fly, I consider it[…] Keep reading →

Judith just published The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late. I’ve read a lot about plastic and hosted many authors. I won’t lie. Before starting the book, I thought I should read it because I knew her, but didn’t expect much. Instead, I learned a lot new. I found it engaging and compelling. I recommend it. Yes, you’ll learn things that are[…] Keep reading →