Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

341. AI is Coming: Interview with Anton Korinek

The discussion focuses on AI's impact on economic research, labor, taxation, and the importance of educating future generations about AI technology.

Ford pulls the plug on the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck

342. Ford pulls the plug on the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck

Camila Domonoske discusses Ford's decision to discontinue the F-150 Lightning electric pickup due to profitability issues, while retaining the Lightning name for a plug-in hybrid.

Ford pulls the plug on the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck

343. Ford pulls the plug on the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck

The discontinuation of Ford's electric pickup is attributed to lack of profitability despite positive reception, with plans to continue the Lightning as a plug-in hybrid.

Roomba maker files for bankruptcy, weighed down by debt and tariffs

344. Roomba maker files for bankruptcy, weighed down by debt and tariffs

Alina Selyukh discusses iRobot's bankruptcy due to debt and tariffs, leading to its takeover by a China-based supplier while assuring customers about device functionality.

Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-December 2025

345. Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-December 2025

An overview of the housing market in mid-December 2025 highlights increased inventory, depressed sales, and stable home prices despite economic challenges.

MAGA, the Broligarchs and the Media

346. MAGA, the Broligarchs and the Media

Paul Krugman discusses the implications of corporate mergers on democracy, highlighting the role of MAGA-aligned billionaires in undermining democratic institutions in the U.S.

Hawks, Doves, and ARC Raiders

347. Hawks, Doves, and ARC Raiders

The post explores player behavior in the game ARC Raiders, analyzing why it fosters a chill atmosphere despite its competitive nature using game theory concepts.

My thoughts on AI safety

348. My thoughts on AI safety

Noah Smith shares his thoughts on AI safety, discussing the potential risks of superintelligent AI and advocating for technological advancement despite existential fears.

NAHB: Builder Confidence Increased Slightly in December, Negative territory for 20 consecutive months

349. NAHB: Builder Confidence Increased Slightly in December, Negative territory for 20 consecutive months

Bill McBride discusses the slight increase in builder confidence in December, noting ongoing challenges in the housing market as indicated by the NAHB report.

Housing December 15th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 2.5% Week-over-week

350. Housing December 15th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 2.5% Week-over-week

The post discusses a week-over-week decline in active single-family housing inventory, highlighting seasonal trends and comparisons to previous years' data.

Affordability, Part III

351. Affordability, Part III

Paul Krugman discusses Americans' economic anxiety over affordability, highlighting the role of policy in addressing these concerns amidst political denial from Republicans.

The Trump presidency is still alive and kicking

352. The Trump presidency is still alive and kicking

Noah Smith discusses the current state of the Trump presidency, highlighting setbacks and electoral challenges while cautioning against prematurely labeling him a lame duck.

Claude Code Changed How I Work (Part 1)

353. Claude Code Changed How I Work (Part 1)

The author reflects on personal challenges with coding and organization in empirical research, sharing experiences and insights from a career in economics.

Talking With Adam Tooze

354. Talking With Adam Tooze

A discussion on the intersection of European politics and American foreign policy, focusing on Trump's views and their implications for transatlantic relations.

Schedule for Week of December 14, 2025

355. Schedule for Week of December 14, 2025

The post outlines the schedule for key economic reports and surveys to be released during the week of December 14, 2025, including employment and retail sales data.

Questions of accuracy arise as Washington Post uses AI to create personalized podcasts

356. Questions of accuracy arise as Washington Post uses AI to create personalized podcasts

The discussion centers on the Washington Post's AI-powered podcast that personalizes audio news digests from its articles for users.

Should you use buy now, pay later? Experts share 4 tips to know

357. Should you use buy now, pay later? Experts share 4 tips to know

An argument that buy now, pay later options are popular among holiday shoppers but require responsible use to mitigate risks.

Did Tariffs Actually Decrease Imports in September?

358. Did Tariffs Actually Decrease Imports in September?

An argument that recent import decreases may be due to inventory adjustments rather than tariffs, with future trends uncertain amid slowing economic activity.

Government Data: Report of the American Statistical Association

359. Government Data: Report of the American Statistical Association

Timothy Taylor discusses the importance of government statistical agencies for providing reliable data on the economy and society, highlighting their historical significance and current challenges.

Employment, Heavy Truck Sales and Cautionary Notes

360. Employment, Heavy Truck Sales and Cautionary Notes

Menzie Chinn discusses employment trends, heavy truck sales, and the implications of potential recession indicators, emphasizing caution in interpreting historical data.