1881. The General Theory of Enshittification
An argument that businesses exploit customers after building a user base, leading to dissatisfaction and potential stagnation, particularly in tech platforms with network effects.
1882. Should Democrats go back to neoliberalism?
An argument that Democrats may be misdirecting blame towards grocery stores for rising food prices, rather than addressing underlying market dynamics and inflation issues.
1883. New Home Sales Increase to 627,000 Annual Rate in June
Bill McBride discusses the increase in new home sales to an annual rate of 627,000 in June, along with supply metrics and historical comparisons.
1884. My excellent Conversation with Helen Castor
The discussion focuses on the functions and limitations of the English government in the 14th century, including taxation, law-making, and the role of landed nobles.
1885. Trump says cutting interest rates will make homebuying cheaper. It's not that simple
An argument that cutting interest rates may not necessarily lead to cheaper homebuying, highlighting potential negative consequences.
1886. How to beach on a budget
Robert Smith discusses how Americans are finding ways to save money on vacations, highlighting economic trends and consumer behavior.
1887. LA under Occupation: Macro Indicators for California
Menzie Chinn discusses the economic decline in California due to federal actions and their effects on employment and agriculture.
1888. AIA: "Architecture firm billings remain soft" in June
The post discusses the decline in architecture firm billings while noting an increase in project inquiries, indicating potential future growth despite ongoing economic challenges in the sector.
1889. Does the public favor rent control?
The discussion highlights the disconnect between public opinion polls and actual policy outcomes regarding rent control, emphasizing the complexities of public sentiment on economic issues.
1890. Only Five Ways to Address Rising US Debt
Timothy Taylor discusses five potential methods to address the rising US debt-to-GDP ratio, emphasizing the economic and political implications of each option.
1891. Trump's new AI policies keep culture war focus on tech companies
An argument that new executive orders target tech companies over perceived "woke AI," linking federal contracts to compliance with these policies.
1892. Tesla profits slide 16%, despite Elon Musk's pivot back to his companies
John Ruwitch discusses Tesla's profit decline and sales drop, highlighting the impact on the company despite Elon Musk's renewed focus on his businesses.
1893. Georgia has gone from luxury to necessity for Democrats
An argument that Georgia has become essential for Democrats, highlighting demographic shifts and electoral trends that influence the state's political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
1894. The REAL Land of Cockaigne
The post contrasts the mythical land of Cockaigne with real grocery stores, emphasizing how market systems and prices effectively address scarcity and incentivize production and consumption.
1895. Philly Fed: State Coincident Indexes Increased in 40 States in June (3-Month Basis)
Bill McBride discusses the increase in coincident indexes for 40 states in June, indicating positive economic trends based on employment and other indicators.
1896. About That Japan Deal
Paul Krugman discusses the implications of the Trump administration's trade deal with Japan, highlighting its potential to increase the trade deficit and crony capitalism.
1897. The Hellscapes of Their Minds
Paul Krugman discusses the potential dangers of ICE's actions in New York City and critiques the false narratives surrounding urban crime and immigration.
1898. NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 3.93 million SAAR in June; Unchanged YoY
Bill McBride discusses a 2.7% decrease in existing-home sales in June, highlighting trends in inventory and regional variations.
1899. Mixtape Sessions presents “The Hidden Curriculum”
Scott Cunningham discusses a workshop aimed at graduate students and early-career economists, focusing on essential skills not taught in graduate school.
1900. MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey
Mortgage applications rose slightly, with purchase applications increasing year-over-year, while refinance applications declined due to high interest rates impacting borrowers.