Blowout

In Chapter 1 Maddow suggests that “innovation in the oil and gas industry is rarely about mechanics or higher math. Innovation in oil and gas is about brawn” (10). Citing examples from the oil and gas industry or other relevant industries, discuss the relationship between expertise and brute force, and what this connection means in the context of business.

George Mitchell exemplifies how the value of perseverance, especially when it comes to industry innovation, cannot be overstated. Why is perseverance so crucial to innovation in the face of skepticism and adversity?

Many of the vignettes in the book examine the tension between scientific inquiry and financial gain. If scientific research concludes that a financially lucrative practice is environmentally harmful, what factors must be considered in discussing such practices?

While Teodorin Obiang’s example of corruption is eccentric and startling, politicians in developing nations often personally benefit from foreign investments while the rest of the nation suffers. Given the imbalance of economic power in the world, how can people in these nations ensure that their leaders are held accountable for their actions?

What does the story of the Russian Illegals say about the relationship between Russia and the United States? Given the two nations’ intertwined history, and Russia’s recent interference in US politics, is there a way forward without suspicion and paranoia on both sides?

Austin Holland is a man of science unmoved by political bias. Yet his hesitance kept him from shedding a more damning light on fracking in Oklahoma after the 2010 “earthquake swarm.” With Holland’s example in mind, discuss scientists’ role in the fight against practices that may permanently harm the environment.

Maddow discusses many different figures who each tell a different part of the oil industry’s story. Which of these figures is most emblematic of the global oil and gas industry? Using direct examples from the book, explain what this person represents and how they fit into the industry’s narrative.

Maddow argues, “Cheating is now Russia’s most viable avenue in world affairs” (337). Citing examples from the book as well as from current events, discuss the veracity of this claim and the implications of such a statement.