Between the Front & Back: Grundle’s Book Club
Full disclosure, I have never conducted nor participated in book club. But at HardcoreHusky, expertise is a disqualification.
I cheated a little and started this last week. It's completely my wheelhouse, big picture stuff somewhere between the Tug and @creepycoug shitty little bored, knowledge of which helps me not at all in daily life. Call it intellectual onanism.
The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations (Daniel Yergin, 2020) | |
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Named Energy Writer of the Year for The New Map by the American Energy Society Pulitzer Prize-winning author and global energy expert, Daniel Yergin offers a revelatory new account of how energy revolutions, climate battles, and geopolitics are mapping our future The world is being shaken by the collision of energy, climate change, and the clashing power of nations in a time of global crisis. The shale revolution in oil and gas--made possible by fracking technology, but not without controversy--has transformed the American economy, ending the era of shortage, but introducing a turbulent new era. Almost overnight, the United States has become the world's number one energy powerhouse--and, during the coronavirus crisis, brokered a tense truce between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Yet concern about energy's role in climate change is challenging our economy and way of life, accelerating a second energy revolution in the search for a low carbon future. All of this has been made starker and more urgent by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic dark age that it has wrought. More at Goodreads. |
So I guess how this is going to work, I'm throwing this out here at the end of February. At the end of March, we'll all talk about it or something. Or don't. I could care less.
Comments
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THUD?
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I'm on board for sure. But what happened to that Female Orgasms for Dummies that was being kicked around?
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Never heard of it.DerekJohnson said:I'm on board for sure. But what happened to that Female Orgasms for Dummies that was being kicked around?
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I will order today from Bezos's successor. And thank you for your patronage of my Shoppe, the most Nebraska classy of our boreds.
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Sure, but Dildo Cay would lead to a much better conversation.
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Four thoughs hoo donut reed wheel, itz awn auditable.
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This book club would be better if I could read.
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If anyone is doing this thing, discussion starts last week of March or so. In true HCH fashion, I can't think of any structure to the discussion, just let it rip. It's tempting to say, "keep down the malarkey," but that's the fun in that.
I just finished having the book read to me, didn't disappoint. -
I ordered it. Not hear yet.GrundleStiltzkin said:If anyone is doing this thing, discussion starts last week of March or so. In true HCH fashion, I can't think of any structure to the discussion, just let it rip. It's tempting to say, "keep down the malarkey," but that's the fun in that.
I just finished having the book read to me, didn't disappoint. -
I’m in too.
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I'll be starting it next week, along with Yellowstone
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I'm I don't know a chapter or two in. Listening in the car. I miss some parts, but less than if I were reading. Very interesting so far. Especially the sex parts.
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I might listen again, for comprehension, and take some notes.huskyhooligan said:I'm I don't know a chapter or two in. Listening in the car. I miss some parts, but less than if I were reading. Very interesting so far. Especially the sex parts.
This guy's approach is more straight analysis, versus the mild-to-explicit advocacy books on energy I've read lately, and I dig that. -
This may be my only participation because tim is short but the segment on Chinas' energy exploration in the South China Sea, and how they are causing so many international tensions to do it, are supremely interesting. Oil still shaping geopolitical intrigue and the clash of powers all these years after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to sustain oil rich war gains in the Pacific. I am enjoying this, but speed reading in snatches probably makes me miss half the points. Good chit though.
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Nobody goes to war over solar panelsSwaye said:This may be my only participation because tim is short but the segment on Chinas' energy exploration in the South China Sea, and how they are causing so many international tensions to do it, are supremely interesting. Oil still shaping geopolitical intrigue and the clash of powers all these years after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to sustain oil rich war gains in the Pacific. I am enjoying this, but speed reading in snatches probably makes me miss half the points. Good chit though.
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Why don't you either pull out or finish and THEN read the book. You'll retain more information that way.Swaye said:This may be my only participation because tim is short but the segment on Chinas' energy exploration in the South China Sea, and how they are causing so many international tensions to do it, are supremely interesting. Oil still shaping geopolitical intrigue and the clash of powers all these years after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to sustain oil rich war gains in the Pacific. I am enjoying this, but speed reading in snatches probably makes me miss half the points. Good chit though.
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I read it. "It" meaning the first 3 chapters online. Chinteresting. Will continue.
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So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
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The more I hear about these ayatollah fellahs, the less I like ‘em.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter. -
Hadn’t bought/read it...had to listen to a lot of Yergin two weeks ago so have a feeling I may have a decent gist of it. His takes have evolved some...personally think part of it is due to them getting bought out by IHS so there is a bit more of a company line he has to tow now...his early stuff is what built him. Overall really sharp guy though.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
I’ll try and read it but TBH I’m so swamped right now probably won’t happen till this summer.
And Khashoggi was anything but a saint...for all the claims of him being a journalist he was a spy connected to some bad folks. Think there is a lot more to that story, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day... -
Huh. I knew nothing about him until a month or two ago when I read his book from about 10 years ago. For purposes of this lil book club thingie, that’s not good because the two books back to back (same audiobook narrator to boot) have run together a bit.HoustonHusky said:
Hadn’t bought/read it...had to listen to a lot of Yergin two weeks ago so have a feeling I may have a decent gist of it. His takes have evolved some...personally think part of it is due to them getting bought out by IHS so there is a bit more of a company line he has to tow now...his early stuff is what built him. Overall really sharp guy though.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
I’ll try and read it but TBH I’m so swamped right now probably won’t happen till this summer.
And Khashoggi was anything but a saint...for all the claims of him being a journalist he was a spy connected to some bad folks. Think there is a lot more to that story, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day... -
Commanding Heights is dated now but a must read...at least watch the PBS Documentary series. The Prize is considered by many in the oil industry (I’m not in that industry) to be the Bible...never actually read it though so can’t comment on it.GrundleStiltzkin said:
Huh. I knew nothing about him until a month or two ago when I read his book from about 10 years ago. For purposes of this lil book club thingie, that’s not good because the two books back to back (same audiobook narrator to boot) have run together a bit.HoustonHusky said:
Hadn’t bought/read it...had to listen to a lot of Yergin two weeks ago so have a feeling I may have a decent gist of it. His takes have evolved some...personally think part of it is due to them getting bought out by IHS so there is a bit more of a company line he has to tow now...his early stuff is what built him. Overall really sharp guy though.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
I’ll try and read it but TBH I’m so swamped right now probably won’t happen till this summer.
And Khashoggi was anything but a saint...for all the claims of him being a journalist he was a spy connected to some bad folks. Think there is a lot more to that story, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day... -
HoustonHusky said:
Commanding Heights is dated now but a must read...at least watch the PBS Documentary series. The Prize is considered by many in the oil industry (I’m not in that industry) to be the Bible...never actually read it though so can’t comment on it.GrundleStiltzkin said:
Huh. I knew nothing about him until a month or two ago when I read his book from about 10 years ago. For purposes of this lil book club thingie, that’s not good because the two books back to back (same audiobook narrator to boot) have run together a bit.HoustonHusky said:
Hadn’t bought/read it...had to listen to a lot of Yergin two weeks ago so have a feeling I may have a decent gist of it. His takes have evolved some...personally think part of it is due to them getting bought out by IHS so there is a bit more of a company line he has to tow now...his early stuff is what built him. Overall really sharp guy though.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
I’ll try and read it but TBH I’m so swamped right now probably won’t happen till this summer.
And Khashoggi was anything but a saint...for all the claims of him being a journalist he was a spy connected to some bad folks. Think there is a lot more to that story, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day...
Chinteresting, I always thought you were. You have a command of the topic that far exceeds anyone else here.
Will add Commanding Heights and The Prize to the list. -
I am just downstream of it so have to know what is going on...got bit big on a few of my R&D projects on major shifts in the oil industry so made a point to understand it. And I lied a bit in that my new job basically is even though “officially” I’m not.pawz said:HoustonHusky said:
Commanding Heights is dated now but a must read...at least watch the PBS Documentary series. The Prize is considered by many in the oil industry (I’m not in that industry) to be the Bible...never actually read it though so can’t comment on it.GrundleStiltzkin said:
Huh. I knew nothing about him until a month or two ago when I read his book from about 10 years ago. For purposes of this lil book club thingie, that’s not good because the two books back to back (same audiobook narrator to boot) have run together a bit.HoustonHusky said:
Hadn’t bought/read it...had to listen to a lot of Yergin two weeks ago so have a feeling I may have a decent gist of it. His takes have evolved some...personally think part of it is due to them getting bought out by IHS so there is a bit more of a company line he has to tow now...his early stuff is what built him. Overall really sharp guy though.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
I’ll try and read it but TBH I’m so swamped right now probably won’t happen till this summer.
And Khashoggi was anything but a saint...for all the claims of him being a journalist he was a spy connected to some bad folks. Think there is a lot more to that story, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day...
Chinteresting, I always thought you were. You have a command of the topic that far exceeds anyone else here.
Will add Commanding Heights and The Prize to the list.
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Biden has only been President for two months, so kind of weird to suggest we're more energy independent now than when Trump was President, but whatever. Either way, that's been going on for some time. EIA's most recent data (and the most recent data that isn't COVID affected anyway) is from 2019. In that year, the U.S. produced 19% of the world's crude oil and consumed 20%. Saudi Arabia is next, just edging out Russia, with a hair shy of 12%. Half of the United States' oil imports come from Canada. (Sure is what we run a hell of a lot of.) This has been going on for years.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
Thing is, oil is fungible. Just because we only get 6% of our oil from Saudi Arabia doesn't mean that a country that produces 12% of the world's supply can't have a major impact in global pricing by increasing or decreasing production. The problem isn't the threat of the Saudis cutting us off from their delicious oil, it's the threat of the Saudis opening up the faucet (yet again) and disrupting pricing in a way that costs domestic producers and creates instability in that industry. My brother in law had to sell off his profitable pressure testing business and move home from North Dakota the last time they pulled it. -
The point is we? were not yet energy independent when Trump's administration began.1to392831weretaken said:
Biden has only been President for two months, so kind of weird to suggest we're more energy independent now than when Trump was President, but whatever. Either way, that's been going on for some time. EIA's most recent data (and the most recent data that isn't COVID affected anyway) is from 2019. In that year, the U.S. produced 19% of the world's crude oil and consumed 20%. Saudi Arabia is next, just edging out Russia, with a hair shy of 12%. Half of the United States' oil imports come from Canada. (Sure is what we run a hell of a lot of.) This has been going on for years.pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
To your point, and a point the book makes, is that SA has the ability - far more than anybody else - to immediately turn on the spigot should some sort of disruption occurs or they otherwise feel like they need to.1to392831weretaken said:pawz said:So far so good. Read the free 8 chapters online, bought the book.
Very interesting. Seems to be written factually, apolitically - which is refreshing tbh. After GRUNDLe saying so, I wish I took notes. Some real gems. Certainly creating a new understanding of the geopolitics in play.
(TTTTT - after seeing that Saudi Arabia only sends us a low single-digit percentage of our actual fossil fuel use as a country, it's a head-scratcher that Trump and Biden gave MBS a free pass for the Khashoggi assassination. Slightly more understandable under Trump since we weren't quite yet energy independent though certainly trending that way, but still ...)
Really hope @HoustonHusky partakes in this book report. I would love to hear his take as he is likely familiar with all of subject matter.
Thing is, oil is fungible. Just because we only get 6% of our oil from Saudi Arabia doesn't mean that a country that produces 12% of the world's supply can't have a major impact in global pricing by increasing or decreasing production. The problem isn't the threat of the Saudis cutting us off from their delicious oil, it's the threat of the Saudis opening up the faucet (yet again) and disrupting pricing in a way that costs domestic producers and creates instability in that industry. My brother in law had to sell off his profitable pressure testing business and move home from North Dakota the last time they pulled it.
The phrase is "spare capacity". Basically numerous wells dug and capped, but can be turned on at a moments notice. SA has more spare capacity than anyone in the market.
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It’s a Catch-22 for the Saudis...their economy is dependent on oil price. Drive it too low and it hits them too hard...drive it too high and it both hits oil demand and incentives others to go find new sources. Shale screwed with their economics, and they fucked up and kept it too high for too long...got a ton of players into shale and when the Saudis started trying to drive the price down to drive them away they instead forced them to get a hell of a lot more efficient. Get enough sunk costs involved and people get crafty really quick...you’d be amazed at the cost efficiencies and increased yields over the last 10 years in shale. You have Permian players now saying they have breakeven costs at $30/bbl when that was ~$60+/bbl a few years ago.
Think you may see oil shoot up over the summer, but by summer of next year no chance you will have high oil prices without some shitty govt policy...low interest rates will force investment in the oil patch if prices stay high no matter how many public oil companies claim to limit CapEx and want free cash flow.
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