Kilowatts and Capital 11.16.2024 - Energy Twitter Heads to BlueSky

Echo Chambers and Energy

The social media platform BlueSky gained 1 million users in the last 10 days. At the same time, X reportedly lost a similarly large number.

Energy Twitter definitely accounted for a share of these numbers and I understand why (including new terms and conditions).  At its worst, Twitter is full of disinformation and cynicism that can make it unbearable at times.

For what it’s worth, I’m on both for the time being but have no clue if I’m the norm.

But, part of what I enjoy(ed) about Twitter is the ability to exchange ideas with people who disagree with me in good faith on energy transition issues.

Brene Brown has this great rule: we should all resist the divisive framing of complex issues and speak the truth to BS. When you find a group of people who will do that, you solve problems at a quick pace. It’s definitely messier taking a nuanced stance, but it’s also critically important to success.

I fear we’re headed to a place where opposing sides debate important energy transition/climate issues on entirely different platforms and never intermingle - leaving no room for nuance. This makes it harder to find groups of intellectually honest people attempting to get better answers which frankly stinks. I like the idea that iron sharpens iron.

I’ve made no secret of my Charlie Munger fandom, and it applies here with this famous quip, “I never allow myself to have an opinion on anything that I don't know the other side's argument better than they do.” 

Even if you never reach this bar (and I certainly haven’t), it creates a standard of learning and empathy that ultimately creates better investment and human outcomes.

Signal Check

Inside VW and Rivian’s $5.8 Billion Bet to Rescue Each Other (WSJ): I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen more of these partnerships in EVs and throughout the energy transition. There are clearly sectors where startups are better equipped to solve problems and vice versa. Within the EV industry, OEMs have operated complex supply chains for decades, but can’t attract the talent working on cutting-edge technology and software. Hopefully, this sets off a trend of new partnerships in EVs and beyond.

Walking the Floor: Unreasonable Hospitality was my favorite book over the last year or so. The author’s newsletter shares best hospitality practices from other industries. This one is about CEOs who call a customer every day - I love the idea of getting a market data point from the source regularly.

Market Pulse

It was a much quieter week for stocks in the energy transition. The Trump-related solar volatility calmed with Array and Solaredge even gaining ground.

Sources used in this post include Pitchbook and company filings.

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