Capitalism’s Moral Ledger, Briefly Attempted In my first essay in this series, I asked who should be the moral arbiter in values-based investing. In the second essay, I explored why thoughtful, serious people find their moral compasses pointing in different directions even when they share the same core values. This essay tries to create clarity …
I enjoy reflecting on life. As the end of 2025 approaches, I find myself sitting at my desk at Pine Hall Court, sipping on a coffee from Cheese Shoppe, and looking at photos from the past twelve months. Becca and I stopped sending cards a few years ago, so I’ll invest a few minutes to …
When we launched Valhalla three years ago, we knew our differentiation would come not just from what we do but from what we believe. Over the past year, I’ve been capturing those beliefs in short reflections I call #ValhallaEssentials. Today, I’m proud to share our first 50. They cover everything from trust and client service …
Over the past week, I had a few instances where I had an immediate reaction: “Wittgenstein’s Ruler.” In each case, the person with whom I was speaking offered a similar reaction of, “Huh?” I retraced my steps and restated my thinking. But, I think the idea of Wittgenstein’s Ruler is so important, and Wittgenstein’s story …
Over the weekend, I had an exchange with a few people, notably Sims Tillirson and Jan Jensen, which involved some inquiry into the ideas of “work-life balance” and “purpose.” This caused me to think about this word, “purpose;” How is it people can find meaning in different aspects of life, such as business, family, art, …
I am a forty-five year old guy. Apparently, amongst the awards one wins when getting along to this age, is a recommended first preventive colonoscopy. My anxiety about this process, including all the attendant activities and experiences, will apparently overwhelm today and tomorrow. It is now 5:47pm. I figured, I may as well document a …
I am sitting at Holger’s soccer practice. I made a note a week ago to write a blogpost about some recent activities. I have been thinking about the recent losses of people that were present for me during different times in my life: my high school friend, Dan Becker, my college friend, Matt Shaner, and …
Dear Mayor Nanes and State College Borough Council: I am a resident of the Borough of State College. Please find this letter in response to the meeting held on November 20, 2023. I commend the Council for withdrawing from consideration Resolution 1371. This decision, guided by a principle of “do no harm,” was a prudent …
Our family enjoyed a few weeks of vacation on Bornholm. As we were milling around, a handful of ideas for future blogposts occurred to me; I also took tons of photographs. I thought I would share some of these pictures, and summaries of potential blogposts, here. Bornholm is a small island in the Baltic Sea, …
If the cell is the basic unit of life – the living tool that forms the organism – then what is it “designed” to do? Well, first it has evolved to be autonomous, to survive as an independent living unit. This autonomy depends, in turn, on organization – on the cell’s interior anatomy. A cell …