The Power of Perspective

As humans, we don’t just see the world, we interpret it. We can witness the same event, stand in the same room, read the same words, and yet walk away with entirely different conclusions. That’s not a flaw in our cognition. That’s the feature.

Our lived experiences act as filters, shaping how we process reality. No two people have walked the exact same path, so no two people can ever fully see the world in the same way. The more

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The Curiosity Principle: A Fundamental Law of Exploration and Growth

The following is a thought experiment on The Curiosity Principle that came from my conversations with my LLM thought companions.

Statement of the Principle:

“Any system capable of processing information will, by its nature, seek to reduce uncertainty through exploration, prediction, and refinement of knowledge. This process is not incidental but fundamental—an inherent property of evolving complexity across all domains, from physics to economics.”

The Curiosity Principle (Yaghmai et AI, 2025)

Origins and Inspirations

The Curiosity Principle is inspired by

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Influence and Incentives: The Hidden Drivers of Human Systems

We like to believe our decisions are our own—that we act out of free will, guided by our internal values. But, whether we realize it or not, much of our behavior is quietly shaped by the systems we live in. These systems, designed with a mix of intention and inertia, use influence and incentives to nudge us toward certain choices.

From how we tip at restaurants to how we see sales tax, the structures around us constantly push and pull

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A Personal Manifesto for Pragmatic Impact

As an investor, I’ve always believed the work goes beyond AUM, carry, or even financial returns. Those are metrics—important, yes—but they don’t capture the full story of what investment can achieve.

My approach is rooted in a deep pragmatism: profits will come when investments solve real problems.

What drives me is understanding the broader value an investment creates—the co-benefits that ripple through society, strengthening the systems we rely on. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re tangible impacts that

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Carbon Stock Exchange

The urgency of climate action demands innovation not only in technology but also in financial structures. While voluntary carbon markets hold promise, they lack the sophistication to truly incentivize impactful carbon removal projects. Enter the Carbon Stock Exchange—a structured, market-driven platform where carbon credits evolve into a new asset class with real, differentiated value. Dr. Delton Chan’s vision of a carbon currency lays the groundwork, but we take it a step further, proposing a market where carbon credits gain quality-based

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Why Being Late Can Still Mean Capturing 90% of the Upside

This past weekend, as I watched SpaceX’s Starship achieve its first successful catch landing—an engineering marvel featuring the now iconic “Mechzilla” — I was struck by what this achievement means for mankind. SpaceX’s vision for Mars is no longer just science fiction; it’s becoming a tangible possibility for the near future. But this moment also reminded me of my original thesis for investing in SpaceX: not just for the dream of Mars, but for the practical, commercial realities of what

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Becoming a Climate Father: Taking Up the Mantle of Climate Parent

As climate operators and investors, we spend our days navigating the complexities of this massive global challenge, from evaluating carbon removal technologies to debating the merits of direct air capture. We are deeply immersed in the technical, financial, and political aspects of climate action. But what if there’s another, perhaps more personal, role we should embrace?

Let’s consider an ancient tradition — the Godparent. Historically, the godfather or godmother has been a spiritual guide for children, someone the family trusts

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If I was Big Oil: my CDR Playbook

Since the time I originally contributed to Dubai Future’s report on “How carbon could be a $15 trillion industry of the future“. I’ve become even more aware of our limited carbon budget to remain within 1.5 (or realistically 2C) scenario. It’s clear CDR will have to play a role, even if it won’t scale fast enough to limit most of the short term consequences, longer term if we don’t have CDR in play we could be setting up

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Be the Change: Sharing Knowledge for Climate Action Everywhere

At Cool Climate Collective, my philosophy has been deeply rooted in the belief that knowledge is power, and sharing it is essential for driving meaningful change. Whether it’s in boardrooms or during everyday interactions, every opportunity to share insights and feedback can contribute to the greater good. This commitment extends even to something as simple as providing feedback to an Airbnb host.

Recently, I suggested an idea related to electric vehicles (EVs) to an Airbnb host. This might seem like

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Anti-Carbon Carbon Club

In the evolving landscape of corporate carbon practices, there’s a pressing need to shift our approach from mere compliance to engaging consumers in a meaningful dialogue about carbon. As geopolitical dynamics change, with right-wing and climate-hostile politicians increasingly targeting environmental initiatives, the focus on compliance is at greater risk than ever.

The rise of ESG backlash could undermine the entire carbon removal and offset industry. To safeguard and advance our climate goals, it’s imperative to transition to a model

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