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My dox, the future of this blog, and some posting “advice.”

There was always a monetization plan for Energy Crystals.

I considered eventually installing a “paid” tier of this blog, but at no point did I expect blogging to become my job, much less to address the operational problems facing the electric utility industry. Instead, I wrote this blog as an extended resume. On Energy Crystals, you can see how I research, how I write, and whether I really am qualified.

The blog has now achieved its goal: I have accepted an analyst position at SemiAnalysis.¹ I will advance their research on how AI growth affects the energy flows, utility investments, electrical equipment, and industrial inputs that underpin the process of turning defamiliarized sand and minerals into floating-point operations.

A reader might notice that this research overlaps considerably with the scope and mission of Energy Crystals. For this reason, I will dramatically reduce the volume of writing on this blog. If you’re a new subscriber (hello!) who wants to read more of my analysis on semiconductors, AI, energy systems, industrial inputs, or utilities, subscribe to SemiAnalysis.

My work there will fall under my real name: Ajey Pandey.

ADDENDUM: How To Post Something Worth Money

I’ve now posted my way into something worth money twice—the first time was for a tabletop role-playing game, of all things, which also took nine-ish months to spin up from zero. I think this qualifies me to describe a “methodology.”

• Quality is non-negotiable. Whatever it is you are posting—a policy blog, an art project, a vtuber stream—it has to be good. Sustained growth is not possible without underlying quality.

• Post constantly, or at least consistently. Constant is better for recommendation algorithms. Consistent is better for your health.

• Expect no audience for six months minimum. The first few pieces you’re really proud of will get almost no traction. A piece you put no effort into may go randomly viral (or “viral”). None of what happens in your first six months is a reliable signal; trust your own metrics of quality.

• Your first big breaks will come from someone important sharing your work. You don’t have to reach out to them. Serendipity is sufficient. If you’ve been posting consistently and at high quality for six-plus months, there will be enough obviously good work to justify a retweet that will double or triple your follower count. This will repeat until you become the deliverer of big breaks.

There is no shortcut, no replacement for posting bangers; week after week, month after month, for tens of people. And even that might not get you quit-your-job money.

But without the bangers, you get nothing.

1. Special thanks to Jordan Schneider for making the connection.