Justin Wolfers
@justinwolfers
Two weeks in, Platypus Economics is doing well. But to really succeed, we need sponsors. It's simple economics, really. Insight: I bet some of my Platypals work in the real world, with real jobs, and advertising budgets. If that's you, reach out: sponsor@platypuseconomics.com
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More from Justin Wolfers
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Here’s the thing—especially on April 15: cutting the IRS isn't some abstract budget trim. It's a tax cut delivered through weaker enforcement. And it mostly goes to people with the...
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Sen. Warren: "Did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election?" Handsome Kevin: "ummm... errr... " His response raises real questions about whether Warsh is independent of the President a...
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"You can't say the cost of a puppy is $200 because that was the adoption fee." The Pentagon's $25B price tag does exactly that — it ignores veterans' care, disability payments, and...
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Announcing: Platypus Economics — a Substack, YouTube channel, and podcast built around one idea: Economics is one of the most useful, surprising, and weirdly beautiful subjects in...
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Optimism is not a policy tool. If there’s no clear timeline for resolution, energy markets will price in uncertainty. And uncertainty is costly because firms can’t plan and househo...
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Consumer sentiment is near a 75-year low. But increasingly, these surveys may be measuring partisanship as much as economics. In other words, they may be asking “Do you like the president?” as much as “Do you like the economy?”
“He failed to understand the interconnectedness of the world economy.” That was true in the trade war, and it’s true now.
A B+ economy with a recession-sized deficit is like showing up to a Sunday barbecue in full scuba gear. Technically you’re dressed, but something doesn't add up.
AI doubles your productivity—go to the beach or make twice as much. As an economist, I love it. But then I talked to my kids. They didn't ask for this. And honestly? I get that now too.
Two things can be true at once: private credit isn't identical to 2008-era shadow banking, and some of the same vulnerabilities may be creeping back. Similar enough to inspect closely.
Think of an oil shock like a stone tossed in a pond. First splash: gasoline. Then the ripples: airfares, delivery costs, packaging, groceries, construction materials. The ripples are real. Just give them a moment to spread.
If the job interview is "Will you do my bidding?" the answer isn't central bank independence. It's central bank karaoke: the chair just sings the president's tune.
"If we don't have immigration and population growth, the number of people who can pay off that debt just went down." That's the key mechanism.
Fed chair: one of the rare jobs where a bad call can echo through the entire world economy. So yes, I am old-fashioned enough to think boyish good looks and "no regrets" might be underqualified.
The platypus has a sixth sense — it picks up signals invisible to everyone else. That's what good economics gives you. The promise: see clearly in murky waters.
You may be doing this too much mid game. #fyp #gaming #cs2 #mindset #gamingperformance
New #darkfantasy reads to darken your #fantasy TBR #darkfantasyauthor #darkfantasybooks ##fantasybooks
Jeanine Pirro, the United States attorney for the District of Columbia, was stumped Monday when a reporter asked if taxpayer dollars should go to pay allies of President Donald Trump — including Capitol rioters — who feel they were victims of “weaponization” by the Biden administration.
The citizens of Warren, MI are demanding TANKS of GAS not TANKS to ATTACK #TrumpsGasCrisis
The consequences of closing the Straight of Hormuz has begun to strike food sources.
Kayleigh McEnany described Joe Biden but could easily be describing President Trump - a president who is not adequate to do the job. A president that made disastrous decisions that could have ramifications on the American people.
France’s colonial brutality in Vietnam. Palestine sees the same face. The West never changes -only the flag does.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under fire as calls to boycott the World Cup grow louder. Is FIFA choosing money and host demands over global pressure and football’s values? #FIFA #WorldCup #Infantino #FootballPolitics #BoycottWorldCup #BCNSports #FootballDebate #SoccerNews #SportsPolitics
Getting Direct Feedback... | Listen UP Ep 14 - Kirsten Horsburgh - Listen Now! Real insight comes from those living it right now. Hear how services shaped by lived experience create support that actually works for recovery. Kirsten Horsburgh of SDF explains. LISTEN - lk2.app/luep14
VOTING RIGHTS ACT #blacksky #USPOL #farleftsky #liberalsky #addtoliberalsky #progressivesky
I am happy to receive a response to my inquiry from USPS that the Park Slope postal station facility has re-opened. I appreciate the agency's attention on this matter and for hearing my call to expedite repairs.
The USA society will collapse if everyone could see everything in those files. Let that sink in & think about it.. he’s connected to the highest levels of government & so on.
May 20, 1984: The Lakers win at Phoenix, 126-115, in Game 4 of the WCF. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished with 31 PTS/7 REB, Bob McAdoo scored 23 PTS off the bench, and Magic Johnson added 20 PTS/15 AST for the Lakers, who took a 3-1 series lead. The Suns' Larry Nance scored 27 PTS.
Global oil markets are facing a historic supply disruption amid the war in the Middle East, pushing up prices for consumers. Our new report sets out 10 immediate demand-side options to help governments, businesses & households ease the economic impacts → iea.li/3OjGWyU
Imagine yourself in Washington’s cramped Valley Forge HQ—20 men in one house, starving, freezing, and sick. Nearly 2,000 died that winter. Washington warned Congress the army might “starve, dissolve, or disperse.” Would you urge him to fight on—or believe the cause was lost? 🇺🇸❄️
Shelly Kittleson, the American journalist kidnapped in Iraq last week, has reportedly been released. AP and other outlets said she was freed Tuesday afternoon. Earlier on Tuesday, the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah said it would release Kittleson so long as she leaves Iraq immediately.
🎓 The countdown to the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony has begun! We can't wait to celebrate our graduates this Saturday 🤩, with graduate speaker Natalia Toro and undergraduate speaker Bryce Allers. #SPAProud
In 1903, farm workers organized across the state to create the newly created Japanese-Mexican Labor Association. @seiu1000.bsky.social @seiu.org & @32bjseiu.bsky.social We Don't Play! 💜 #unionsforallnetwork #SolidaritySeason
Rammstein - Rosenrot Álbum: Rosenrot (2008) Sello: Not On Label (Rammstein) #Rammstein #Rosenrot #Rock #HardRock
One of the quickest ways to lose control of the narrative in incident response is to assume your audience understands the basics. They often don’t, and that’s normal. When a big company has an incident, the story reaches far beyond cyber circles.
Sound on to hear a snippet of Micah playing the Offbeat Guitars Modern Series Jacqueline RP2-34 Long-Scale Bass in Blue Rose Fade. Oh, yeah, it’s on sale right now, too. 😉 OffbeatGuitars.com #OffbeatGuitars #Luthier #Bass #Bassist #ModernSeries #JacquelineBass #ReversePBass #BlueRoseFade
The very latest jobs data which is decent for the country but lousy for BC, despite still losing money...the news is a little better for a major radio/tv broadcaster, and legal fallout from the TransMountain Pipeline expansion...in your April 10 edition of Canada's Business Beat.
AQUEST DIUMENGE, abans del "TN vespre" a @som3cat ... Es comenta que el @joeldiazbrah parlarà amb un dels artistes més sol·licitats del país
das ist #Union #Mathe das können wir Kleingeister nicht verstehen! 🫣 #Bruchrechnung a la #Spahn #CDU
A beautiful morning to check for lambs. Mount Leinster looks glorious in the distance. Dare I say it…. Even airline vapour trails are beautiful in an abstract way as their hot air exhaust meets freezing cold air to create elongated clouds across a steel blue sky.
Amazing Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds! 🎃 #pumpkinseeds #superfoods #healthyeating #nutritionfacts
the new stage's theme: Steam Stampede Boss track also available on SoundCloud (and Steam OST release)
The Illusion of Health Security The failure to stop the Hondius outbreak at our borders isn't just a simple mistake; it is the inevitable result of an administration fundamentally ignorant of how public health actually works. open.substack.com/pub/charles4...
☀️ Con la llegada del calor, parece imposible no acercarse a las playas, pero cuidado, aún no contamos con los servicios de socorro y vigilancia. Desde la Cruz Roja, aconsejan evitar el agua y en caso de incidencia, llamar al 112 🎙️ Rocío Pastor @woman_word | Xabi Lomba
@mallorymcmorrow.bsky.social: Democrats can take back the Senate, but it doesn't happen without Michigan. Win here, and we put an actual check on Trump's rogue agenda. Lose here, and he has no guardrails. It's that simple.
We launched Operation Feed California because of the chaos coming out of DC If you want to get involved to make sure no one goes hungry because of Trump’s dysfunction, go to californiavolunteers.ca.gov @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social @jensiebelnewsom.bsky.social @calvolunteers.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Murray : An awe inspiring #Titanic ship is now flying through #NoMansSky (created by u/Erroneousness on Reddit)
i was mostly at panels today on twitch con day 2 so this is all the photos i took plus today's free loot 😎 #twitch #twitchcon #fun #vtuber
Winnowing + Seed = Grain 🌾✨, but there are 1000s of combinations to discover 👀 What do YOU think Grain combines with? Drop it below 👇 New Science - Get ready for the new season #indiegame #gamedev #cardgame #indiedev #newscience
Trump & Secretary Rollins kicked at least 700 thousand CHILDREN off nutrition assistance—and that’s only counting 7 states. Today, she refused to tell me whether she stands by her comment that kicking people off food assistance is “good news.” These people are so cruel.
"We're world class athletes at the end of the day, so we have to adapt." Ollie Watkins does not think conditions in the US will be an issue for England during the World Cup💪🔥
You can watch the 2 hour interview with Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace at youtu.be/6V0HGM8N8d0
We had a surprise guest at our Finals Pep Rally tonight 👀🐾 Original post
TORRESDALE AVE @ COTTMAN AVE 🕒 2:42 PM - 2:44 PM ET (6x speed) 🌡️ 89°F | Clear 📍: 40.030110,-75.034990