How to Show Up

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.
  1. Zero rare earth or precious metals needed…
  2. Estimated 100,000 charging cycles…
  3. No more than seven minutes needed for a maximum charge…
  4. Unaffected by up to -22 degrees (F) cold…
  5. Estimated range = 870 miles…
  6. 400 Wh/kg energy density, roughly twice that of an average LFP battery…
  7. $56 billion of market growth potential in the next ten years…
  8. 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)