1741. Trust in Numbers
Claudia Sahm discusses the importance of trusting economic data from federal agencies and the safeguards against manipulation that ensure its credibility.
1742. Trump’s Tariffs Have Not Shifted the Trade Deficit
An argument that Trump's tariffs have not effectively reduced the US trade deficit, highlighting macroeconomic factors as the primary determinants of trade balances.
1743. Claude Code 22: Final Entry Into Classification of Speeches with Claude Code and OpenAI gpt-4o-mini (Part 5)
The post concludes a series on using Claude Code and OpenAI's gpt-4o-mini to analyze and reclassify immigration-related speeches, revealing unexpected patterns in the data.
1744. The Ultra-Rich Are Different from You and Me
An argument that the ultra-rich benefit from significant tax advantages, exacerbating wealth inequality and undermining economic stability, while the political power of this elite is often overlooked.
1745. Friedman on Immigration: Setting the Record Straight
An argument that immigration concerns often misinterpret Friedman’s views, suggesting that illegal immigration can be beneficial while proposing nuanced solutions to welfare access issues.
1746. Which 2028 Democrats have the best electoral track record?
An argument that evaluates the electoral track records of potential Democratic candidates for 2028, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in comparison to each other.
1747. Democratic economic policy in the age of AI
An argument that Democrats should develop economic policies adaptable to the uncertainties posed by rapid AI advancements, moving beyond past progressive strategies.
1748. 7 key things to know about Trump's tariffs after the Supreme Court decision
The post discusses the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs, highlighting the economic implications and context surrounding the decision.
1749. The economy slowed in the last 3 months of the year — but was still solid in 2025
Economic growth in 2025 showed a slight slowdown, driven by strong consumer spending and business investment despite a decrease from the previous year's growth rate.
1750. Using saliva to detect disease holds promise, but it's not perfected yet
Saliva tests could simplify disease detection but face challenges like insurance coverage that hinder broader implementation.
1751. On the Eve of the 2025Q4 Advance Release
An examination of current GDP estimates reveals divergence in growth projections, indicating the economy may fall short of expected trends despite potential fiscal stimulus.
1752. In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract
Workers at a Tennessee Volkswagen plant have ratified their first union contract, marking a significant milestone despite diminished momentum in union efforts across the South.
1753. 2025 Trade Deficit at 2024 Levels
An argument that the trade deficit remains stable, with specific figures indicating changes in real goods trade and the implications for macroeconomic aggregates.
1754. Guest Contribution: “Usury laws and Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest rates”
Menzie Chinn discusses Jeffrey Frankel's analysis of Trump's proposed credit card interest rate cap, examining its economic implications and political context regarding consumer protection and usury laws.
1755. NBA Future of the Franchise Rankings III
Nate Silver discusses NBA teams' potential for future championships, evaluating factors like talent, management, and market appeal in his rankings.
1756. Claude Code 21: Attention, Human Verification and Congestion, or Some Problems From Too Much Better Work
An argument that increased productivity from Claude Code leads to unexpected challenges and distractions, complicating research processes for social scientists.
1757. A Pause to Refresh
Paul Krugman discusses his experiences with Substack, his goals for influence, and the challenges of maintaining engagement with his audience.
1758. Amazon dethrones Walmart as the world's biggest company by sales
The post discusses Amazon surpassing Walmart in sales, highlighting Amazon's cloud-computing business as a key factor in its success.
1759. AI, Technology, and Work
Jon Murphy discusses the impact of AI on jobs, exploring historical perspectives and economic implications of automation on work and wages.
1760. My excellent Conversation with Joe Studwell
The discussion centers on Africa's development prospects, manufacturing potential, and comparisons with Asian economies, addressing challenges like population density and colonial legacies.