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 the world. It belongs to everyone — not just the people who happened to take it in college. 🧵

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 most scope to hide income.

Higher oil prices are like your worst group project partner: they show up late, make everything more expensive, and then leave the central bank to clean up the mess.

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.

For families and firms, this isn’t academic. If the people steering monetary policy are chosen for cable-news combat rather than analytic clarity, the cost shows up in jobs, prices, and uncertainty.

Short-run discomfort ≠ long-run harm.⁣ ⁣ Phone bans make students feel worse at first — then better. By year two, well-being rebounds above baseline. Turns out kids (like all of us) just needed time to adapt.

Politicians love visible gestures. Economists ask the annoying follow-up: does it work? ⁣ ⁣ On gas tax holidays, the answer was basically no then, and no now.

Opportunity cost is Econ 101 with real stakes: the cost of a choice is not just dollars spent, but what you gave up. For war, that means not only destruction, but all the prosperity that never gets a chance to exist.

I regret to inform the junior coders that I, an economist with Wi-Fi, have gone on a Claude code bender. Great for productivity. Slightly less great if you’re the young worker trying to get a foot in the door.

Debt by itself is a lousy guide. A $500,000 mortgage can be manageable or terrifying depending on salary, rates, and future earnings. Same with countries: the real question isn’t “how much debt?” but “can they carry it?”

I was away from home so I didn't post, have a certified ARCA Classic.

🎄 Once UPun a Christmas: Day 13! 🎄 We’re continuing our countdown to Christmas with some seriously crackers’ jokes from our staff & clients to bring on the holiday cheer. 😆 Today’s dose of Christmas fun comes courtesy of Helen from Online Learning College.

Vets protested in the Capitol Rotunda today from #VetsAboutFace Many were disabled Vets #WeDemandAnImmediateEnd #ToTheWarInIran #WeCantAffordAnotherWar There were about 150 They were eventually handcuffed & removed For their #CivilDisobedience

Wemby working at shootaround with assistant coach Mike Noyes. #Spurs upgraded him to questionable for tonight’s game coming off the rib injury that forced him to sit out Wednesday’s win over Portland.

#abortion #trump #gop#MAGA #birthday What could possibly go wrong with banning abortions a case .

Namjoon sharing Tablo's post. 💜🐨💜 #RM #Namjoon #BTS

Tooked up in bed playing some mario kart, and watching the sidemen on YouTube 😀☺️ #MarioKartWorld #NintendoSwitch2

We found Bridget just before Christmas. Her eyesight had gone and she fell of a bridge. She was alone. She could not be an happier with us now! Safe and loved

Yesterday, I stood shoulder to shoulder with UNAC/UHCP members at the Kaiser Unfair Labor Practice Strike in Riverside. Nurses & healthcare workers are frontline heroes, not bargaining chips. They deserve a fair contract, fair wages, & safe working conditions NOW! #TogetherWeWin #UNACUHCPStrong

Good Morning 🌞 🌄 Some paths are not easy but they are worth it🙏💕🌸🍒🍃 #HikingAdventures #NatureLover #KeepGoing #MountainSoul #TrailLife #ChooseYourPath #InspirationalQuotes #PositiveVibesOnly #GrowthJourney #FaithOverFear #ExploreMore #OutdoorLife #WomenWhoHike #RiverViews #AdventureAwaits ✨🥾🏞️💛

Ciji Graham’s is the seventh case ProPublica has investigated in which a pregnant woman died after she was unable to access standard care in a state that has significantly restricted abortion. Read her story: https://propub.li/4r4VQr4

#JaredClark of #AltumStrategyGroup brings a pragmatic, experience-led approach to guiding businesses toward smarter, future-ready solutions. 🎯 #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #ERP #CRM #StrategicGrowth #AltumWave #techonology #ResponsibleTransformation altumstrategy.com/portfolio-it...

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hero of the stupid in action.🤣🤣🤣🤣

This works too!

The microbiome in cancer onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

The government’s public consultation on hunting is a pivotal moment for animal welfare, and we’re here in today in Westminster making sure the government can see the strength of feeling from people who want change.

🇷🇺/🇨🇳 "La Chine a pu imposer un prix deux fois moins cher que celui du marché", sur le premier gazoduc Force de Sibérie construit en 2016. ▶️Vera Grantseva, politologue et enseignante à Sciences Po Paris, était invitée sur #ledebatf24 ce soir avec Stéphanie Antoine #france24

⭕Scènes apocalyptiques dans plusieurs villes du Sud du #Liban ce matin. Les frappes #Israéliennes s’intensifient, les autorités #Libanaises sont silencieuses.

No one is above the law, and corruption all too easily begets authoritarianism. We have to stand against it. op: @annaconnellyiscool

Yet again I find myself doing the lords work.

This dog just won the "Best Engagement Reaction" award as it's owner proposes to his girlfriend. As he dropped to one knee to pop the question, their golden retriever decided to provide the ultimate celebration. #BeachProposal #GoldenRetrieverLife #WeddingInspiration2026 #ProposalGoals

If you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health crisis or struggling with drug or alcohol issues, help is available. Call or text 988 for support. Video Transcript (Text on Screen): You matter. You are heard. You are not alone. Call or text 988.

Oxfam responds to mass forced displacement in Lebanon and ready to respond to wider regional crisisOxfam responds to mass forced displacement in Lebanon and ready to respond to wider regional crisis www.oxfam.org.uk/mc/nqa2gb/

Dein Job kotzt dich an? Versprechen wie Sand am Meer – aber am Ende nur leere Taschen? Dann hör gut zu: Wir suchen Top-Vertriebler für Wärmepumpen! In Glasow und Königs Wusterhaus... #FörderungWärmepumpe #Glasow

Sigh......

Ah, I love the gardening style (it closely resembles mine 😎) We too have cats and hedgehogs, one visited just now and entitled some of the cat food I leave out for it. Once upon a time we even had a nest!

Ivanti Neurons is now live. This upgrade to the National Service Desk Self Service platform brings a more user-friendly experience, improved knowledge resources, and better ways to log and track IT support requests. Read more bit.ly/4sP9Ea0 #DigitalForCare

At both the state and local level, it's time to phase out honors for Cesar Chavez and replace them with honors for Dolores Huerta, a true hero of the labor and human rights movements. Kudos to State Reps. Angie Cuellar and Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., for starting this effort.

On the approaches to Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian forces struck over 20 Russian troops moving openly from Bakhmut

🤖 Artificial Intelligence or 🧠 Augmented Intelligence? 🚴‍♂️⚡️ Is AI the e-bike for the mind? From episode #14: Is AI Making Us Stupid? 🎧 Listen, 👀 watch and 🔔 subscribe on humanpulsepodcast.com

First listing SOLD! Huge milestone and an amazing team made the process smooth from start to finish. Hard work, teamwork, and dedication truly make a difference. #RealEstate #Sold #FirstListing #RealtorLife #Success

Ahead of #EuroPCR 2026, Roxana Mehran and EuroPCR course director Nicolas Dumonteil talk about what they're looking forward to at this year's conference. www.tctmd.com/audio/rox-he...

Hegseth says U.S. manufacturers are significantly increasing production to supply more Patriot systems to Ukraine, stating "where we can help Ukraine, we do."

Collectibles & Videogames Part 239 Resident Evil Requiem (PlayStation 5, 2026) Funko Pop! Leon S. Kennedy (2016) #fyp #POV #Gaming #Collectibles #GamingRoom #Sony #PlayStation #Capcom #ResidentEvil #LeonSKennedy #Funko #Samsung #Divoom #Paladone

Why are tennis balls yellow, of all colors? #tennisballs #colortheory #howthehelldidinotknowthat #memoir #memoirs #humor #books

Wrapping up a set of wings for our next bodysuit commission!🪽

Good Beautiful Friday to my Wonderful 1,092 #Followers. My goodness I do enjoy that of the people that do #Followme there are so many different types of people. Some enjoy the AI Learning Journey & Information, & others like the Creations & Entertainment of the #AIVideos. That's SO Cool! Thank You.🥰

Stairs Test (reversed)

This month’s list of consultations & inquiries from the UK’s 4 legislatures & governments that require #socialscience evidence incl. consultations on digital childhoods, modernising elections, investment in research infrastructure, & more. Find out more ➡️ acss.org.uk/policy-monit...

No one should be shot for exercising their rights. Renee Good and Alex Pretti, U.S. citizens killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, should be alive today. As Police Chief O’Hara says, “people have had enough.” We need accountability NOW. Sign our petition to hold ICE accountable. Link in reply.

Exploring Kami is a reward in itself. Where are your favorite scenic locations in Cairn? (We’re working on the travel brochures😉)

‘Aiden Lewis Octet 4: Bravado’ by Yvonne Marrs As Aiden struggles, Nicole decides to publish their books herself as she is unable to fulfil any company's demands - and unwilling to put anything in front of her husband’s health. books2read.com/al4 #readyvonnemarrs #AidenLewis #2026yearofreading

Breeder’s Edge Foster Care Canine Milk Replacer and Shelter’s Choice Canine Milk Replacers Cause Vitamin D Toxicity. #RecallAlert #PetSafety #DogHealth #PetRecall #AnimalHealth

While he is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Victor Marx never served in combat or deployed to a war zone, according to his own public statements.

#TomodachiLifeLivingTheDream Video Moments. What song is Chris singing?

specialest girl in the world

Manipulación y distorsión de hombres machistas dios, o quien sea, nos libre de tipos como éste. Viva el feminismo!! Así joven, ya parece un viejo verde

George Springer takes a tumble and his teammates are amused

LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND NON-BINARIES I present to you… 🥁🥁🥁 ….The moment last night - IN FULL- where reality hit Tom Steyer and he shit his pants for exactly 6 minutes straight! (This moment happened literally 5 minutes after California received the first batch of ballot results LMAOO) P. 1/2