The Working Theory
The Working Theory is a collection of essays, observations, research notes, and projects drawn from a life spent moving between ideas and practical work. I write here about digital commerce, logistics, technology, philosophy, genealogy, history, music, making things, and whatever else seems worth thinking through.
Some pieces offer conclusions; others are provisional—an attempt to clarify a problem, follow the evidence, and develop a better account of how something works or how I think or feel about it.
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The Inner Citadel and the Garden
Stoicism is fashionable again. Its language appears in business books, podcasts, athletic training, military culture, leadership seminars, and the daily routines of people trying to remain composed in an unstable world. Marcus Aurelius has become an unlikely modern celebrity. Epictetus is quoted by executives and coaches. The Stoic distinction between what is within our control READ MORE
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The Small Operator’s Guide to Industry Education
When I started my digital commerce business sixteen years ago, professional education often meant getting on an airplane. I regularly attended trade shows and conferences. One of the most valuable was Internet Retailer in Chicago, which became an annual trip for me. I also attended events focused on operations and fulfillment, including the Operations and READ MORE
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The Hidden Cost of Outsourcing Paid Search
Over the years, I have worked with roughly a dozen paid-search agencies, along with several independent consultants. Some were capable. Some were diligent. A few were genuinely helpful. Most knew the advertising platforms better than the average business owner ever will. But nearly all of them faced the same structural problem: They did not know READ MORE
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Three Advertising Platforms, Three Different Kinds of Trouble
Google, Microsoft, and Amazon all make digital advertising look increasingly simple. Choose a goal. Set a budget. Supply products, keywords, or creative assets. Then let the algorithm find customers. From a distance, the three platforms appear to be variations of the same system. They all sell access to demand. They all promise better performance through READ MORE