Ryan C. Smith
@rcsmitheco.bsky.social
Author of, "The Real Oil Shock: How Oil Transformed Money, Debt, and Finance", host of "A History of Capitalism" podcast. Economist & historian, currently #amquerying "The Emerging Energy Revolution" on how renewables+batteries are transforming the world.
That is NOT what you do if you think OpenAI's ask for a trillion in new investment or Anthropic promises of profitability by 2028 are realistic AND you have a significant stake in the most important company for meeting those needs.
Buckle up.
#EconSky #AI
Buckle up.
#EconSky #AI
Japanese giant SoftBank said Tuesday it has sold its entire stake in tech giant Nvidia for $5.83 billion.
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
November 11, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
"Fossil demand has been flat for industrial energy since 2014, for buildings since 2018, for road transport since 2019, & may peak for electricity this year. 2/3 of countries have already seen peak fossil demand in end-use sectors, & half the world has seen a peak in fossil fuels for electricity."
The Electrotech Revolution | Ember
The annual slidedeck from Kingsmill Bond and the Ember Futures team unpacks how electrotech is rewriting the economics and geopolitics of energy.
ember-energy.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 AM
"Fossil demand has been flat for industrial energy since 2014, for buildings since 2018, for road transport since 2019, & may peak for electricity this year. 2/3 of countries have already seen peak fossil demand in end-use sectors, & half the world has seen a peak in fossil fuels for electricity."
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
We need fighters, not folders. And fighters who are effective at messaging. Neither of that is Schumer. That is why Chuck Schumer must go as Democratic Senate leader. My new article deanobeidallah.substack.com/p/chuck-schu...
Chuck Schumer must go as Senate Democratic leader. Period.
We need a more effective fighter
deanobeidallah.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
We need fighters, not folders. And fighters who are effective at messaging. Neither of that is Schumer. That is why Chuck Schumer must go as Democratic Senate leader. My new article deanobeidallah.substack.com/p/chuck-schu...
This, along with the proven advantages of renewables+batteries over fossil fuels, are how public officials & candidates for office should be talking about climate & energy transition. They solve the problems of the future & our present, don't run away from that!
#EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
#EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
“'Climate and quality of life are not two separate concerns,' Mamdani told The Nation magazine in April. 'They are, in fact, one and the same.'”
What Zohran Mamdani’s Win Means for New York's Climate Politics
The mayor-elect’s approach reflects a view that is going mainstream: To succeed, climate policies may need to lose the label.
nysfocus.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 PM
This, along with the proven advantages of renewables+batteries over fossil fuels, are how public officials & candidates for office should be talking about climate & energy transition. They solve the problems of the future & our present, don't run away from that!
#EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
#EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Sea Otters May Be Small Marine Mammals, But Their Effect on an Ecosystem Can Be Huge
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Their fur is so soft it almost led to their extinction, but otters’ recovery has been a boon to Pacific kelp forests, a key habitat for other sealife www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
Wood, straw, earth - that's basically all you need for passive house walls, floor, roof. The apprentice wanted to use his bare hands to get the feeling. The earth plaster creates airtightness necessary for high performance, without plastic membranes. #strawhouse #strawbuilding #biobased
November 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Wood, straw, earth - that's basically all you need for passive house walls, floor, roof. The apprentice wanted to use his bare hands to get the feeling. The earth plaster creates airtightness necessary for high performance, without plastic membranes. #strawhouse #strawbuilding #biobased
This is why progressives need to do more than just get people into office, we need a vision, plans to execute it, & teams ready to implement said plans.
People hoping for real change in America should read this. @corbintrent.bsky.social was AOCs comms director and has more experience in this than most of us.
"The failing was not building a team or a vision with others before she won."
"The failing was not building a team or a vision with others before she won."
The Progressive Movement’s Fatal Flaw: Why We Keep Winning Elections But Losing Power
An open letter to the 2026 progressive candidates
www.americasundoing.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
This is why progressives need to do more than just get people into office, we need a vision, plans to execute it, & teams ready to implement said plans.
This same dynamic is part of why renewable energy is far more effective than fossil fuel sources. Fossil fuels, without exception, have to use energy to convert coal, oil, or natural gas into usable energy. Renewables, by contrast, make ready to use electricity that only needs AC/DC conversion.
ICE vehicles waste a whopping 80% of the energy in their fuel. Electric vehicles are propelled by entirely different mechanisms. Energy enters the vehicle as electricity, which directly powers the drivetrain: EVs need not convert one form of energy to another resulting in much higher efficiency.
November 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This same dynamic is part of why renewable energy is far more effective than fossil fuel sources. Fossil fuels, without exception, have to use energy to convert coal, oil, or natural gas into usable energy. Renewables, by contrast, make ready to use electricity that only needs AC/DC conversion.
Have I mentioned that digital history is one of my little side passions?
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Bell bottom-era tape unearthed, could contain lost piece of Unix history
www.theregister.com/2025/11/07/u...
It might have the first-ever version of UNIX written in C
<- by me on @theregister.com
www.theregister.com/2025/11/07/u...
It might have the first-ever version of UNIX written in C
<- by me on @theregister.com
52 year old data tape could contain Unix history
: It might have the first-ever version of UNIX written in C
www.theregister.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Have I mentioned that digital history is one of my little side passions?
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
I’ve watched progressive victories turn into governing failures from the inside. It’s not about courage. It’s about power. Zohran has to build it or become another casualty.
www.americasundoing.com/p/winning-is...
www.americasundoing.com/p/winning-is...
Zohran Mamdani Must Build Power, Not Bridges
The Democratic establishment won't endorse their own nominee. That tells you everything about what he needs to do next.
www.americasundoing.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I’ve watched progressive victories turn into governing failures from the inside. It’s not about courage. It’s about power. Zohran has to build it or become another casualty.
www.americasundoing.com/p/winning-is...
www.americasundoing.com/p/winning-is...
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
This week: @corbintrent.bsky.social on "America's Undoing" and why Democrats are being too timid in pushing for a popular, populist progressive agenda. Also: How the right-wing media outrage machine works, and a memoriam for the late great Arkansas drag queen and club owner Norman Jones.
Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South: Ep. 24: 'America's Undoing' and the Right-Wing Message Machine
SYNOPSIS: In the South, the prospects for progressive causes and candidates can be daunting. But Corbin Trent thinks the answer is not to back down or dilute their messages — it’s to take strong, bold...
sites.libsyn.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This week: @corbintrent.bsky.social on "America's Undoing" and why Democrats are being too timid in pushing for a popular, populist progressive agenda. Also: How the right-wing media outrage machine works, and a memoriam for the late great Arkansas drag queen and club owner Norman Jones.
Another data point in the argument that anyone who is serious about building up renewable energy should look at Chinese industrial policy for ideas.
#EconSky #EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
#EconSky #EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
"Global EV battery installations totaled 811.7 GWh from January to September"
👀👀
cnevpost.com/2025/11/05/g...
👀👀
cnevpost.com/2025/11/05/g...
Global EV battery market share in Jan-Sept 2025: CATL 36.6%, BYD 17.9%
CATL and BYD collectively installed 442.2 GWh of EV batteries in January-September 2025, accounting for 54.5 percent of the global total.
cnevpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Another data point in the argument that anyone who is serious about building up renewable energy should look at Chinese industrial policy for ideas.
#EconSky #EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
#EconSky #EnergySky #ClimateSky #Greensky
This is deeply concerning, especially because the number is likely lower than the actual percentage because of the number of folks who are unlikely to yes to this question to a total stranger.
#AcademicSky #HistorySky
#AcademicSky #HistorySky
November 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This is deeply concerning, especially because the number is likely lower than the actual percentage because of the number of folks who are unlikely to yes to this question to a total stranger.
#AcademicSky #HistorySky
#AcademicSky #HistorySky
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
it does seem like there’s a major—though potentially fleeting—opportunity to invest in left-wing media. more than a million people in the most populous city in america just enthusiastically elected a democratic socialist and the world is watching. putting $$ towards left media rn is good business.
November 7, 2025 at 3:14 AM
it does seem like there’s a major—though potentially fleeting—opportunity to invest in left-wing media. more than a million people in the most populous city in america just enthusiastically elected a democratic socialist and the world is watching. putting $$ towards left media rn is good business.
Hey #ClimateSky #EnergySky #EconSky
I'm looking for information on the quantity & type of commodities needed to produce a single barrel of oil.
Does anyone have any good sources with that information or leads on where I might find it?
I'm looking for information on the quantity & type of commodities needed to produce a single barrel of oil.
Does anyone have any good sources with that information or leads on where I might find it?
November 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Hey #ClimateSky #EnergySky #EconSky
I'm looking for information on the quantity & type of commodities needed to produce a single barrel of oil.
Does anyone have any good sources with that information or leads on where I might find it?
I'm looking for information on the quantity & type of commodities needed to produce a single barrel of oil.
Does anyone have any good sources with that information or leads on where I might find it?
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
It's not about labels.
It's about if you're going to do something to make this country more affordable or not.
It's about if you're going to do something to make this country more affordable or not.
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
It's not about labels.
It's about if you're going to do something to make this country more affordable or not.
It's about if you're going to do something to make this country more affordable or not.
This is why Sam wants a bailout.
No part of his enterprise works and investors may be reaching the limits of their patience.
No part of his enterprise works and investors may be reaching the limits of their patience.
Based on analysis of years of revenues, losses and funding, since 2023, OpenAI has taken in $28.6bn in cash and had $13.7bn in losses.
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
Where Is OpenAI's Money Going?
Soundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - Song For The Dead
Editor's Note: The original piece had a mathematical error around burnrate, it's been fixed.
A few days ago, Sam Altman said that OpenAI’s rev...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This is why Sam wants a bailout.
No part of his enterprise works and investors may be reaching the limits of their patience.
No part of his enterprise works and investors may be reaching the limits of their patience.
Reposted by Ryan C. Smith
Based on analysis of years of revenues, losses and funding, since 2023, OpenAI has taken in $28.6bn in cash and had $13.7bn in losses.
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
Where Is OpenAI's Money Going?
Soundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - Song For The Dead
Editor's Note: The original piece had a mathematical error around burnrate, it's been fixed.
A few days ago, Sam Altman said that OpenAI’s rev...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Based on analysis of years of revenues, losses and funding, since 2023, OpenAI has taken in $28.6bn in cash and had $13.7bn in losses.
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
In contrast to the NatCon manifesto which explicitly intends to crash the country with as few survivors as possible so you can re-create the Gilded Age & also happens to be a favorite of quite a few members of your administration?
Conservative accusations are always confessions, full stop.
Conservative accusations are always confessions, full stop.
Trump on Democrats: "I think they're kamikaze pilots. I just got back from Japan, I talked about the kamikaze pilots. I think these guys are kamikaze. They'll take down the country if they have to."
November 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
In contrast to the NatCon manifesto which explicitly intends to crash the country with as few survivors as possible so you can re-create the Gilded Age & also happens to be a favorite of quite a few members of your administration?
Conservative accusations are always confessions, full stop.
Conservative accusations are always confessions, full stop.
If yesterday proves anything, it's that pundits flogging conventional wisdom are woefully out of touch, people will turn out for inclusive values, & Trumpist policies rest on a very brittle foundation of support.
Boldness, in other words, works.
Boldness, in other words, works.
November 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
If yesterday proves anything, it's that pundits flogging conventional wisdom are woefully out of touch, people will turn out for inclusive values, & Trumpist policies rest on a very brittle foundation of support.
Boldness, in other words, works.
Boldness, in other words, works.
Watch this space.
“Meta’s shares slid by more than 11 percent on Thursday, indicating widespread skepticism about the company’s ability to stop bleeding billions of dollars as it races to keep up with the AI industry’s ever-escalating expenditure commitments.”
They told investors they’ll spend $70 billion on AI.
They told investors they’ll spend $70 billion on AI.
Meta Stock Plummets as Investors Horrified at How Much Zuckerberg Is Spending on Misfired AI
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is spending untold billions on infrastructure and top talent for its AI ambitions. Investors are rattled.
futurism.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Watch this space.