Blowout

One of the book’s foundational arguments is that the US oil industry drives the global oil industry. Discuss the responsibilities, privileges, and burdens that Americans in the oil business must contend with to effectively navigate the complexities of this industry.

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?