Topics

The essays in this archive circle around a set of interrelated themes. Here they are organized by topic rather than date, making it easier to trace a single thread through different pieces. Every link below stays within the archive.

Colored threads connecting pins on a board, mapping relationships between topics

Strategy

Essays on strategic thinking, thick narratives, positioning, and the interplay of planning with reality.

Tempo and Time

Explorations of tempo, time perception, scheduling, clocks, and the rhythms that shape decisions.

Learning and Practice

How skills develop, what deliberate practice looks like, and the background processes of learning.

Decision-Making

Frameworks, misfires, and the practice of making better decisions under uncertainty.

Narrative and Storytelling

How stories shape action, the structure of narratives, and the role of storytelling in strategy.

Momentum and Energy

On keeping things moving, the forces that create drag, and what happens when momentum stalls.

Boyd and OODA

Ideas rooted in John Boyd's work on decision cycles, competitive tempo, and strategic agility.

Systems and Control

Feedback loops, control mechanisms, and systems-level thinking applied to human situations.

Perception and Psychology

How we perceive time, handle stress, form judgments, and the mental models we operate with.

Travel and Observation

Road trip essays, city tempos, and the practice of noticing the rhythms around you.