2121. What I’ve been reading
Tyler Cowen reviews various books, highlighting their themes and insights across diverse topics, including history, science, and culture.
2122. The simple math of the big bill
An argument that the economic implications of a major tax and spending bill involve significant borrowing and cuts, raising questions about the resulting deficit's impact on everyday life.
2123. Bryan Caplan on Antitrust
Scott Sumner discusses Bryan Caplan's views on antitrust, critiquing the implications of antitrust laws on philanthropy and economic efficiency.
2124. The Elite Overproduction Hypothesis
Noah Smith discusses how overproduction of educated individuals, particularly in humanities and STEM fields, contributes to social unrest and political frustration in America.
2125. Why is the dollar off to a weak start this year?
The post discusses the U.S. dollar's poor performance this year, attributing its decline to actions by President Trump, according to an economics professor.
2126. A consumption basket approach to measuring AI progress
Tyler Cowen discusses a new method for evaluating AI progress by focusing on practical usage rather than traditional hard problem metrics.
2127. One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away (EXTENDED VERSION)
The discussion focuses on U.S. foreign aid's impact on HIV treatment in Eswatini and Lesotho, and the potential consequences of the Trump administration's policy changes.
2128. Q2 GDP Tracking: Moving on Down
The post discusses updates on Q2 GDP tracking estimates, highlighting adjustments in growth forecasts and contributions from various economic sectors.
2129. Jeff Hummel on the American Revolution
An argument that the American Revolution provided significant long-term benefits, countering misconceptions about its costs and effects on liberty and governance.
2130. Business Cycle Indicators – June Employment Release and May Monthly GDP
Menzie Chinn analyzes June employment data and May GDP, highlighting employment trends and economic indicators relevant to the NBER Business Cycle Dating Committee.
2131. Congress passed no tax on tips in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Here's how it works
The post explains new tax exemptions for tipped workers included in a recent tax cut and spending bill passed by Congress.
2132. China Works to Dominate in AI and EV
Emily Feng discusses China's ambitions in artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, highlighting data control and competitive pricing as key factors in these sectors.
2133. AAR: Rail Traffic in June: Intermodal "Stumbles", Carload Growth Continues
The post discusses recent trends in U.S. rail traffic, highlighting a decline in intermodal shipments and continued growth in carload volumes amid economic uncertainty.
2134. The Weird and Lovely Surge of US Productivity Growth
An argument that recent productivity growth in the U.S. may be temporary, driven by factors like remote work, labor reallocation, and technology, particularly AI.
2135. Transaction Costs and the Law
Jon Murphy discusses how transaction costs affect property rights and legal outcomes, emphasizing the role of mediation in resolving disputes efficiently.
2136. Trade Deficit increased to $71.5 Billion in May
Bill McBride discusses the increase in the U.S. trade deficit to $71.5 billion in May, highlighting changes in exports and imports.
2137. How ICE crackdowns are affecting the workforce
The impact of immigration crackdowns on industries reliant on immigrant labor and workforce participation is examined.
2138. Trump’s Big Beautiful Debt Bomb
The post critiques current U.S. debt levels and the political motivations behind recent fiscal policies, contrasting them with past economic conditions and governance.
2139. The U.S. labor market remains solid, with employers adding 147,000 jobs last month
Job growth in June shows a solid labor market, with significant gains in health care and government sectors, while the unemployment rate falls to 4.1%.
2140. Comments on June Employment Report
Bill McBride analyzes the June employment report, highlighting job growth, participation rates, and wage trends while noting seasonal fluctuations in education employment.