Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Treason in the Futures Markets

821. Treason in the Futures Markets

An argument that insider trading linked to national security decisions constitutes treason, highlighting suspicious trading patterns before a significant political announcement.

The Odd Couple Season 5 Episode 3: What's up with this data?

822. The Odd Couple Season 5 Episode 3: What's up with this data?

Scott Cunningham discusses his podcast's research project on the effects of House Bill 2 on marriages and divorces, highlighting the role of Claude Code in data collection.

Trump delivers farmers another financial blow with Iran war

823. Trump delivers farmers another financial blow with Iran war

Danielle Kurtzleben discusses how President Trump's policies, particularly the Iran war, are negatively impacting farmers by increasing their costs.

There isn't always a "long arc" of morality

824. There isn't always a "long arc" of morality

Noah Smith discusses the Democratic Party's unpopularity and the need for a more appealing ideology to connect with voters, particularly on social issues.

SBSQ #30: Will liberals turn against sports betting?

825. SBSQ #30: Will liberals turn against sports betting?

An argument that explores the potential backlash against sports betting from liberal groups and discusses the implications for political forecasting models.

826. Guest Contribution: “Is Immigration Bad for America?”

An argument that immigration positively impacts the economy by contributing to labor supply, innovation, and productivity, despite concerns about job competition and illegal immigration.

827. Adventures in Fantasy Diplomacy

Paul Krugman discusses the questionable credibility of Trump's claims regarding negotiations with Iran and the implications for U.S. foreign policy and trustworthiness.

Supreme Court declines to review press freedom case

828. Supreme Court declines to review press freedom case

The post discusses the Supreme Court's decision not to review a case involving the arrest of a journalist related to press freedom issues.

When Hyperglobalization Meets Chaos

829. When Hyperglobalization Meets Chaos

Paul Krugman discusses the complexities of global supply chains and the vulnerabilities exposed by geopolitical tensions, particularly under Trump's erratic leadership.

What You Don't Know About Your Salary Is Costing You

830. What You Don't Know About Your Salary Is Costing You

The post highlights the impact of salary secrecy and information asymmetry on wage fairness, emphasizing the importance of transparency for workers in understanding their worth.

Adam Smith on the Labor Theory of Value

831. Adam Smith on the Labor Theory of Value

Steven Horwitz discusses Adam Smith's labor theory of value, its flaws, and the modern understanding of value as subjective assessments by consumers.

Voice of America staffers sue, alleging Kari Lake put on propaganda

832. Voice of America staffers sue, alleging Kari Lake put on propaganda

David Folkenflik discusses a lawsuit by Voice of America staffers against Kari Lake for allegedly broadcasting pro-Trump propaganda.

833. Some Phenomena In Price Theory

The discussion explores theoretical possibilities in price theory, focusing on capital, rent, and the dynamics of technique choice in economic models.

CodeChella, and two other things

834. CodeChella, and two other things

The post discusses ticket sales for an upcoming workshop, a notable economics award, and a satirical take on diplomatic events involving Claude code.

Worried about a shaky stock market? This is what financial advisers suggest you do

835. Worried about a shaky stock market? This is what financial advisers suggest you do

Stephan Bisaha discusses financial advisers' recommendations for managing investments during a volatile stock market, emphasizing the importance of individual timelines for accessing funds.

War is pushing up energy prices now. Trump's policies could hurt for years to come

836. War is pushing up energy prices now. Trump's policies could hurt for years to come

Michael Copley discusses how the Trump administration's policy changes are impacting energy prices and the reliance on fossil fuels amid geopolitical tensions.

837. Iranian Oil, Still Shipping

Paul Krugman discusses the Trump administration's contradictory stance on Iranian oil exports amid threats of military action, highlighting economic and political implications.

A conversation with Claude

838. A conversation with Claude

Noah Smith discusses his conversation with Claude about AI's potential in scientific research, particularly in materials science and the complexities of discovery.

How to Burn Less Oil

839. How to Burn Less Oil

An argument that the world economy must adapt to reduced oil consumption due to geopolitical factors and the need for sustainable alternatives, emphasizing behavioral and technological changes.

How much more will oil prices have to go up?

840. How much more will oil prices have to go up?

The discussion centers on the factors influencing oil prices, including geopolitical risks and supply-demand dynamics, particularly in relation to the Strait of Hormuz and Russian oil exports.