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. 🧵

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

Right now, the AI boom mostly shows up as investment: chips, data centers, infrastructure. ⁣ ⁣ The real question is whether those foundations eventually help workers and firms do more with less.

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?”

If you remove phones, you haven’t removed boredom, status competition, or conflict. You’ve just changed the setting. That’s why the first-year effects can look messy.

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.

A lot of AI debate gets stuck on whether the technology is “real.” The more useful question is economic: if it works, who benefits, how fast, and under what rules?

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 and if he has the courage to tell hard truths.

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.

A 60-year low in sentiment is a big deal because the baseline is already tough: this survey has lived through recessions, inflation, wars, and financial crises. And yet this is worse.⁣ ⁣ Read the full analysis on Substack: https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/consumer-sentiment-hits-a-record

The Trump administration just confirmed an American has tested positive for BUNDIBUGYO, a strain of Ebola. This country can’t survive another pandemic under Trump. How many more can the 🤬🍊🐔💩 kill this time

A trick to extract and transport water effortlessly Original post

Hallan: Credit card! #QP

#HotMilk Live in Minneapolis! (Thread) 🔥🥛 @firstavenue.bsky.social

Quand un collègue marche dans ma direction.. 🤣

When a lawless bully tries to attack Colorado, I will fight back. I’ve sued the Trump administration 65 times, and we’re winning 36 times and counting. As Governor, I will always fight for Colorado and defend our principles. #Philforgovernor #COpolitics

You can’t force your brain to stop thinking worst case. That’s not how it works. Trying to “just think positive” usually backfires… because your nervous system doesn’t feel safe yet. So instead of fighting the fear, you build a bridge through… #nervoussystemregulation #traumahealing #anxietyrelief

A closer look at Perspective #1 on display at Bankside Gallery DENISE BALLARD-WYLLIE ARE Plus some good news for collectors

Five to Watch ➜ Labour has been convulsing after May 7 losses, with dozens of MPs publicly calling for the leader to quit and senior figures organising challenges.

Piastri around the outside of Norris for P2! #F1 #AbuDhabiGP

Vince McMahon "you're fired" green screen

Added an "Ads In Progress" window, letting me and everyone else know when mass-ads are rolling. Might make a "Be Right Back" window too so I don't have to swap between OBS and K.R.A.P.S.. ☠️🦴 Also working on a raid event too! 🦴☠️ #gamedev #vtuber #streamer #indiedev #skull #twitch #godot

forever in my brain

#CleanEnergy @governor.ny.gov

@Channel4news reports on Putin’s weakening grip on power as Ukraine hits Russia deep in its own territory. Imagine the hold that Putin would have had over Nathan Gill if our security services hadn’t taken him out. Relax - he’s gone. The question is - how credible is it that he was the only one?

Pantera cats. #Caturday

Yanking a tick leaves its chainsaw head glued inside you. ❌🕷️ ​#TickSafety #HowItWorks #MindBlown

McSweeney's phone containing direct messages to Mandelson was stolen last year. Parliament is now demanding every communication. Those messages are gone. Ignored warnings. A rushed process. A £75,000 payoff. A missing phone. No cover-up, says Downing St. #MandelsonFiles #MorganMcSweeney #Epstein

left unanswered #analyticaliowan #analyticaliowanpodcast

“If you extinguish one camera, we will turn on thousands.” — the daughter of Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Mohammed Wishah, whom Israel assassinated the day before yesterday

🇮🇱 An expansion of IDF control over Gaza to 70% has been ordered by Netanyahu. 64% is already held. Before October 2023, zero percent was controlled.

Dear Author Pamela Jameson , I no longer care what "They" think of me. Nonetheless, I will continue to love the corpse of my dead White Woman from the 18th century. With warm regards, Easton #fannynisbet #edgarallanpoe #islandlife

🇮🇪 Comóradh Cásca Chontae Mhuineacháin 2026 🇮🇪 Thank you to everyone delivering our Easter newsletter across Monaghan — featuring those with local connections to the 1916 Rising. Caith do lile na Cásca le bród ✊🇮🇪 Join us Easter Sunday, 5th April, 3pm 📍 Church Square → Latlurcan Cemetery

Mo Amer has put Houston on screens around the world. Now we’re bringing the conversation home. JOIN US on May 26 @ 10AM at City Hall for a fireside chat. We’ll discuss culture, community, growth, and the future of the city we love — H-Town! RSVP in bio.

That feeling when the cruise booking gets confirmed 🛳️🌴 No cruise booked yet? Sounds like it might be time to change that - tinyurl.com/3h5d2kx5 #nonrev #aviation #PERXDeals

Colombia celebra la primera vuelta de sus elecciones presidenciales en vilo por la seguridad en sus territorios ▪️ Estos son los comicios más violentos, según afirman organizaciones civiles, con más de 3.100 actos de violencia contra candidatos 🎙️ Lo cuenta, @sbarnuevo.bsky.social

Security guarantees for #Ukraine must be "similar to NATO's Article 5 with continued United States engagement", insists European Council President Costa @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu

Don't lose your head! Day 5 of 28 | #gamedev #wickfordgames #indiedev #gaming #devlog #day5

Burn Your Sufferings! 🧘‍♂️ The Secret to Ending Mental Worry Sad? Depressed? Overwhelmed? Learn the eN Kriya method to burn through your suffering and recharge your body's natural battery. It’s time to feel alive again. #StressRelief #Mindfulness #Kriya #InnerPeace The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism

A Russian occupier shows the aftermath of a strike on his tank.

Posting a #BenedictCumberbatch gif every day till I reach 💯 gifs in a row! Unless I forget, then the count starts over. 9️⃣7

Frankie fans queuing up to see us in Los Angeles, 1984! We were on our US tour for "Welcome To The Pleasuredome", who came to see a show in those days?

trying to dodge all stars spoilers until I watch tonight

⚠️CW: domestic violence, pregnancy loss When forests fall it's often women who bear the weight Part 2 of our Katagi Village series is out now. Host Ivy Prosper hears how climate, poverty, and gender intersect, and what it really takes to rebuild Dedicated in memory of Hadija Mutesi🕊️ 🎙️ bit.ly/3RdIFqs

#ADVANCE26 attendee Chris Hunt decided to register just two days before kickoff! He's looking forward to presentations on improving transparency and working in partnership with hospital systems. Whatever your business focus, ASA ADVANCE has a session for you. #anesthesiology

Women, Life, Freedom at International Women's Day.

IT'S LIVE. S3 E14 with Alison Magee-Barker is out NOW -> hospitality legend, coach, trainer, entrepreneur, and such a joyfully unstoppable person! 👉 Listen now: www.sukany4.com/s3e14-alison... 💬 what's a moment someone told you that you COULDN'T do something, and what did you do about it? 👇

Repeat after me: Don’t stop talking about the Epstein files.

Author: Let's Study @lets.study35 #Trivia number 17 Domain 2.0 #Networkingfor #CompTIA Core 1 #cybersecurity #triviachallenge #comptiacertification #techtok #aplus #helpdesk #wgu

It’s evoking something, I’m not sure what but

Great training starts with great tools. 🧰 Skillmaker + NAPA are redefining tech training with the XcceleratoR Program—real tools meet XR + AI. 🚀 8× faster. 80% more retained. 50% more accurate. Let us know what matters most in training for you. #NapaXccelerator #XRtraining #AI #FutureOfWork

@BYDGlobal Cars now have an On-Vehicle DJI drone launch platform

"There will be no more viewing tonight." ...unless that's for @finalflame83.bsky.social's run of Zelda's Adventure, the third of the infamous #Zelda CD-i trilogy! Every shrine will be completed in our final overnight run, live now at #UKSGGreen26. Join us at twitch.tv/uksgmarathon. Make haste!

Massive mihi to ActionStation for this energising, inspiring and info-packed hui to kick start our election mahi. We were honoured and privileged to be there among Aotearoa's brightest and most passionate humans.

Tip of the day. #etiquette #mannermatters #betterlife #indiana #livemonetization

The Government of Canada has announced a set of temporary border measures in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and rising concerns in Uganda and South Sudan. canadaimmigration.news/canada-intro... #canadaimmigrationnews #bordermeasures #ebola

#IWK #Women’s #Health #Canada #NS 😩How many women have had IUD placement without any analgesic? ➡️Only 7% of #CDN research goes towards women’s health? 🚩Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men ❌70% of chronic pain patients are women Women’s clinics are opening across 🇨🇦.

im a boomer with technology. but i cant believe i managed to edit and add subs on this one. i NEED subs for ALL dialogues please. anyway..................... maxwell.........................................................,,. he a lil cutie 🥺💦☕ #thevictorinitiative

First, a huge thank you to all who have raided into the streams, such as @nierion1.bsky.social (Hell Is Us & Star Citizen), @afairfew.bsky.social (Elden Ring), @fancypants73.bsky.social (TUNIC), @khamikitsu.bsky.social (Blue Prince) & @neonkingcaz.bsky.social (Chained Wheels)! Check them all out!

Veo animation of The Time Machine (1960) quad.