I made a post on Instagram a couple weeks ago which seemed to touch a nerve. It seems that many people share the perspective that, in our quest for “more” and “bigger,” we may have lost sight of what matters most.
I floated the idea that, perhaps in the process of learning to live with less, we learn to live better. Does that resonate with you?
On Iran:
Last month I talked a little about how the war in Iran could affect us here in Alberta. Have you bought gas lately? Groceries will go up too, just when you thought they couldn’t possibly be more overpriced.
I was in the barber’s chair on Friday (ask for Jay, he’s a master) and I was talking about the effect of the price of oil on the Alberta budget. I used AI to calculate how a $90 barrel of oil would affect the provincial budget if it stayed at that price. The figures were pretty astonishing. The province projected a $9 billion deficit for 2026 based on oil at $60/barrel. Due to the “top-loaded” nature of our royalty regime, that 9 billion deficit becomes a 10 billion dollar SURPLUS if oil stays at 90 or higher. It really underlines how dependent we are on oil revenues. If that plays out, I’d like to see the money used to pay down debt… but it’ll more likely get pissed away as it always does.
A friend in the industry suggested that this won’t likely set off a boom in oilfield infrastructure projects, but it will allow Canadian energy producers, who have become adept at low cost production, to enjoy massive cash flows and profits.
So this is good for Alberta, right? A budget surplus certainly is.
My barber asked “how does this benefit regular people like me?” and that’s a fair question. In the abstract it should benefit Albertans when the province has more money for health care and schools and roads. But how does it help someone paying $150 to fuel up their car for the week? My best answer is to put your money in Canadian energy companies and take your share of those profits through growth and dividends. I did this in January and I’m up 60%. But it’s volatile, all those gains could be erased tomorrow, and nobody should EVER take investment advice from me. I am most certainly NOT a candidate for early retirement.
On AI:
I had a bit of a rant in my instagram stories about how AI is ruining creativity. I understand the productivity benefits, but I hate the idea of AI being used to replace our creative function… that uniquely human quality. I worry about it. I find AI generated content to be insulting. I feel we must reject AI slop. How are you using AI? Are you worried about where it’s headed?
On this bullshit weather:
Remember how warm it was in February? I feel like maybe that was a payroll advance on nice spring weather and now the loan is being called in.
I remember at the time hearing some versions of the following from more than 1 person:
“this is too warm for February”
“it shouldn’t be this warm”
“what if we have fires all summer now”
Maybe we’re so conditioned by non stop climate hysteria that we forgot that old maxim about Alberta weather: If you don’t like it, wait 10 minutes.
New rule: Never, ever, ever complain or fret about good weather. Ever.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
