Surely the seismologist — this man of science, highly educated and blessed with good ol’ boy roots in West Texas — must know what he’s getting himself into. The Texas oil boom is the envy of the nation, a source of strength in uncertain geopolitical times. Smart people are moving in from the coasts. Investors are getting rich. Even a high school dropout can make decent money behind the wheel of a truck. Life is good.

Keep reading at Longview-News Journal.