Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

My very fun Conversation with Blake Scholl

101. My very fun Conversation with Blake Scholl

A discussion on supersonic flight, airport design, and innovative solutions to systemic inefficiencies in transportation and regulatory processes.

Rare earths: Federal backing and tech advances aim to help the U.S. catch up to China

102. Rare earths: Federal backing and tech advances aim to help the U.S. catch up to China

An argument that U.S. efforts, including federal support and technological advancements, aim to reduce reliance on China for rare earth elements.

The economics theory that could have saved the Trump presidency

103. The economics theory that could have saved the Trump presidency

An argument that economic dissatisfaction among voters significantly impacts Trump's approval ratings, linking perceptions of economic policy to broader political consequences.

EJ Antoni Continues to See a Vast Conspiracy at BLS

104. EJ Antoni Continues to See a Vast Conspiracy at BLS

The discussion highlights perceived biases in employment data reporting, questioning the interpretation of job growth figures and their implications for economic analysis.

Do Exclusionary Preferences Explain Why Some Americans Are Happy about Paying for Tariffs?

105. Do Exclusionary Preferences Explain Why Some Americans Are Happy about Paying for Tariffs?

Timothy Taylor discusses how exclusionary preferences may explain why some Americans support tariffs despite recognizing they raise consumer prices.

Updated Business Cycle Indicators, Including Employment

106. Updated Business Cycle Indicators, Including Employment

Menzie Chinn analyzes employment data revisions and their implications for nonfarm payroll estimates and economic indicators.

What if you love Silver Bulletin... but hate sports?

107. What if you love Silver Bulletin... but hate sports?

The post discusses the balance between sports and politics in a newsletter, addressing subscriber preferences and introducing a new sectioning feature for tailored content delivery.

Hotels: Occupancy Rate Decreased 4.1% Year-over-year

108. Hotels: Occupancy Rate Decreased 4.1% Year-over-year

Bill McBride discusses the decline in U.S. hotel occupancy rates due to reduced international tourism and seasonal trends affecting domestic travel.

Recalled baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak may still be in some stores

109. Recalled baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak may still be in some stores

A botulism outbreak affecting infants is connected to ByHeart baby formula, which may still be available in some stores despite the recall.

Confidently Wrong

110. Confidently Wrong

An argument that challenging scientific consensus requires expertise, highlighting the correlation between overconfidence and opposition to established knowledge in various fields.

The Vibecession Deepens

111. The Vibecession Deepens

Paul Krugman discusses the persistent negative economic sentiment under Trump, despite traditional partisan biases, and how misinformation may be affecting public perceptions.

Separating Some Terms

112. Separating Some Terms

Kevin Corcoran discusses the complexity of economic systems, proposing four distinct axes to evaluate them rather than a single left/right spectrum.

NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.10 million SAAR in October

113. NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.10 million SAAR in October

The post discusses a 1.2% increase in existing-home sales in October, highlighting changes in inventory and median sales prices based on NAR data.

The future of war is the future of society

114. The future of war is the future of society

Noah Smith discusses the transformative impact of military technology, particularly the rise of autonomous drones, on society and warfare dynamics.

September Employment Report: 119 thousand Jobs, 4.4% Unemployment Rate

115. September Employment Report: 119 thousand Jobs, 4.4% Unemployment Rate

Bill McBride discusses the September employment report, highlighting job growth, unemployment rates, and revisions to previous employment data.

American democracy is very much alive, though not in all regards well

116. American democracy is very much alive, though not in all regards well

An argument that American democracy persists despite challenges, emphasizing misconceptions about its fragility and the emotional biases influencing perceptions of political outcomes.

Overdue jobs report shows employers added 119,000 jobs in September

117. Overdue jobs report shows employers added 119,000 jobs in September

The Labor Department's delayed September jobs report may provide insights into the current state of the U.S. job market despite its outdated nature.

College 'sticker prices' have risen dramatically. Here's why

118. College 'sticker prices' have risen dramatically. Here's why

Rising college tuition costs outpace financial aid, prompting an exploration of the underlying reasons for this trend.

Business Cycle Indicators and Nowcasts

119. Business Cycle Indicators and Nowcasts

The post analyzes key economic indicators and nowcasts related to employment and GDP, highlighting discrepancies between employment growth and output growth forecasts.

Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat

120. Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat

Proposed changes to Endangered Species Act regulations aim to reduce protections for endangered species and their habitats, reversing previous administration's efforts.