April 13, 2026
Good morning! Got your taxes done? (Only two more days to go; that happened fast!) The cooler (cold!) weather has retarded the emergence — and therefore the tasty enjoyment — of the rhubarb. When you think about it, golf is nothing more than pure physics, pure physics — supported by a bit of chemistry in the manufacturing of the ball. One point if you know: How many Best walks in golf can there be?
- Today’s assignment: Compare and contrast the era of the so-called robber barons and the industrial revolution vs. the impact of artificial intelligence and data centers.
- You can respond with a quip, a well-thought paragraph, a thesis, a dissertation — or a book.
- Single family homes in the United States are, on average, 44-years old.
- Here at world headquarters, we live in a ~69-year-old home, so all things being relative, 44 years doesn’t seem old or that big of a deal, but…
- According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 44 years is old — and has resulted, on average, in a 14% annualized increase in repairs and maintenance.
- Note to self: Would love to have one of those more-modern, energy efficient, insulated, double-pane windows homes! (Cozy! And less costly.)
- Not sure what value these sort of data provide when one would think they are already intuitive — or at least not surprising.
- The older you are, the less likely you are to take one of your daily meals outside of the home…
- And, the younger you are, the more likely you are to take a meal via at-home delivery; e.g., Grub Hub — and/or at a fast food location.
- Perhaps counter-intuitively: The lower your income, especially if you’re younger, the more likely it is you’ll take a meal daily at a fast food location. (McKinsey)
- “I just want to say one word to you… just one word… are you listening? Plastics.”
- (Name the source of this quote… answer down below.)
- From a worldwide perspective, those manufacturing plastics are making a killing…
- while those purchasing plastics are taking a beating.
- Some of it has to do with the worldwide disruption of crude oil logistics.
- Counterintuitive? According to the American Enterprise Institute and The Wall Street Journal, the rich are getting richer — and there are more who are rich.
- In 2024, for example, 31% of U.S. families were upper middle class, compared with 10% in 1979.
- The data range used by the authors assumed hypothetical families of three humans earning between $133,000 and $400,000 annually in 2024 dollars.
- But, economic inequality in the U.S. has grown, with families in higher brackets seeing tremendous growth while the poorest 5% continue to get poorer.
- “A pessimist reacts to what’s wrong. A realist reacts to what is. An optimist responds to what is and to what could be.” (Eades)
- The thing about marketing, advertising, sales, and other related disciplines is everyone thinks of herself/ himself as an expert.
- Universal expertise (and assertion) is especially true when it comes to organization web sites — with many decisions and affirmations made within an echo chamber.
- Fun experiment: Ask artificial intelligence to find your web site.
- That’s right… ask artificial intelligence to look for the BEST source or provider in the world for what you do — and see what it comes up with.
- Key words… for me they might be: Vision – Leadership – Consulting – Experience – Listening – Happiness, Who is the best at _____? Etc.
- Does it find you at all? Does it put you right at the top? Does it quote you? Does it think of you as an expert?
- Make your home page obvious.
- Most don’t… your home page should be a flashing beacon instantly communicating what you have to offer — and how to obtain it.
- Lead with outcomes — and the WHY — not the what… so many don’t do this… you will be A+ if you are among those who do it.
- ADD/ INCLUDE a Frequently-Asked-Questions page.
- Artificial Intelligence will access these data — if carefully written — because they are logic-centered and specific.
- Someone looking for my services, for example, might more likely find me if I had a Frequently-Asked-Questions section… and I don’t!
- Homework assignment: Get this done!
- Live outside your web site… you need to be in the news, on a blog, on social media (a little big/ quality), and active in the arena.
- Artificial Intelligence can’t/ won’t find you if there are no crumbs to lead it to you.
- Build your brand and enhance your brand by consistently using words and phrases purposefully and exactly defining and describing you and what you SOLVE.
- Complete this exercise monthly — stay disciplined… change is happening faster than anyone can keep up! (Informed by Murray)
- A Finnish startup company claims to have perfected a revolutionary new solid state vehicle battery.
- Zero rare earth or precious metals needed…
- Estimated 100,000 charging cycles…
- No more than seven minutes needed for a maximum charge…
- Unaffected by up to -22 degrees (F) cold…
- Estimated range = 870 miles…
- 400 Wh/kg energy density, roughly twice that of an average LFP battery…
- $56 billion of market growth potential in the next ten years…
- Is this the battery to (finally!) transform the entire automobile industry to beyond the internal combustion engine — just in time? (Neil)
- More on science:
- Can the discoveries made by the Romans millennia ago bolster the production of energy; e.g., electricity, today?
- Nothing more than the heat generated by cement (concrete) drying and curing.
- It generates ENORMOUS heat, if you didn’t know… a chemical reaction.
- Cache Energy MIGHT have found a way to store this heat — and to perpetually recycle the cement — rather than letting it dissipate, forever lost to the atmosphere. (Mims)
