Sam’s Links: Holiday Edition
Sam, who works on innovation policy at Progress Ireland, an independent policy think tank in Dublin, and runs a publication called The Fitzwilliam, is also known for his popular link roundups on his personal blog. In his recent Links for November, Sam shared a variety of interesting blogs and short links that caught his attention.
One of the links discussed the quality of Google search results and the lack of evidence supporting claims that it is getting worse. Another post delved into the game theory behind $1 margarita nights and the challenges of social coordination in modern times.
Sam also paid tribute to Peter Temin, an economist known for his work on the economy of the early Roman Empire. He highlighted the importance of studying pre-industrial economies in his reading group at The Fitzwilliam.
On the policy front, Sam wrote about why more academics don’t start companies and provided updates on efforts to support Olympiad-level mathematics in Ireland. He also announced the introduction of paid subscriptions for his blog.
Climate predictions, the impact of AI on NIMBYism, and the potential effects of VAT cuts on reading habits were also topics of discussion in Sam’s roundup. He questioned the delay in reducing minimum apartment standards in Ireland and pondered the implications of different methodologies for calculating the value of a statistical life.
In the realm of music and podcasts, Sam recommended Stevie Wonder’s album “Innervisions” for its superb quality. Overall, Sam’s Links for November provided a diverse and thought-provoking collection of content for his readers to explore.
3. Aaron Yelowitz, The Labor Supply Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit: Evidence from Wisconsin Administrative Records. One of my favorite things about Aaron is his ability to take complex economic concepts and distill them into clear, concise research papers. This paper examines the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit on labor supply using data from Wisconsin administrative records. The findings are important for understanding how government policies affect individuals’ decisions to work.
4. Esther Duflo, The Medium-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Small Business Owners: Evidence from Survivors. In this paper, Esther Duflo, a Nobel laureate in economics, investigates the medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small business owners who managed to survive the initial shock. The findings shed light on the challenges faced by small businesses in the aftermath of the pandemic and provide valuable insights for policymakers.
5. Raj Chetty, John N. Friedman, and Jonah E. Rockoff, Measuring the Impacts of Teachers II: Teacher Value-Added and Student Outcomes in Adulthood. This paper by a team of leading economists examines the long-term impacts of teachers on student outcomes. By analyzing data on teacher value-added and student outcomes in adulthood, the researchers provide valuable insights into the importance of effective teaching for long-term success.
Overall, these papers offer valuable insights into a wide range of topics, from the impact of government policies on labor supply to the long-term effects of teachers on student outcomes. They showcase the diversity and depth of research being conducted in the field of economics and provide valuable contributions to our understanding of complex economic issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of economics and music is rich and diverse, with a wide range of topics and genres to explore. From the timeless classics of Stevie Wonder to the groundbreaking research of leading economists, there is always something new and exciting to discover. Whether you’re a music lover, an economics enthusiast, or simply curious about the world around you, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this vast and fascinating landscape of ideas and creativity.
So next time you’re looking for something to listen to or read, consider exploring the world of economics and music. You never know what new insights and discoveries you might uncover along the way!
Nan Ransohoff recently found herself in a situation where she had to endure a detailed explanation about literature from a certain individual. This individual was trying to explain why the answer to the question of “What can other countries learn from what Ireland has done well in policy?” was not “citizens’ assemblies”. The individual went as far as citing Hugo Mercier’s argumentative theory of reason in footnote 60 to support their claim that organizing large-scale in-person events can be costly and time-consuming, and face-to-face debates can be biased due to a desire to win rather than reach a mutually acceptable outcome.
The individual’s insistence on citing a specific and disputed hypothesis in cognitive science to support a simple claim raised questions about the relevance and necessity of such a citation. This incident reminded the individual of a 10,000-word draft they had on Mercier and Sperber’s argumentative theory of reason, which they never finished in time for submission to a book review contest. The individual humorously acknowledged the possibility of being kicked out of a political science group for being overly pedantic.
Moving on to a lighter note, the individual shared recommendations for films and videos to watch. They praised Joshua Oppenheimer’s documentary “The Act of Killing” for its portrayal of the Indonesian genocide and commended it as possibly the greatest documentary of all time. They also mentioned watching Bob James and Tame Impala on NPR Tiny Desk, footage from the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and a talk on cosmological natural selection as conceptual infrastructure for AI alignment from the ODYSSEY conference.
In closing, the individual shared a link to their full November links for further reading. The post ended with a humorous reference to the benefits of value-added tax over sales tax. The overall tone of the post was a mix of intellectual discussion, cultural recommendations, and a touch of humor. The world of technology is constantly evolving and bringing new innovations that change the way we live and work. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to entertainment.
One area where AI is already making a big impact is in the field of healthcare. AI has the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that humans might miss. This can be incredibly useful in diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and even developing new treatments. For example, AI algorithms can sift through medical images to detect tumors or other abnormalities with greater accuracy than a human radiologist.
In addition to its diagnostic abilities, AI is also being used to improve patient care. For example, AI-powered chatbots can provide patients with information about their symptoms and help them decide whether they need to see a doctor. AI can also be used to monitor patients remotely, alerting healthcare providers if a patient’s condition worsens or if they miss a dose of medication.
Another area where AI is having a big impact is in transportation. Self-driving cars, powered by AI algorithms, are already on the roads in some cities. These cars have the potential to reduce accidents and congestion, as well as provide greater mobility to those who are unable to drive themselves. AI algorithms can analyze traffic patterns and adjust routes in real-time, making transportation more efficient and reducing emissions.
AI is also being used in the entertainment industry to create new and innovative experiences for consumers. For example, AI algorithms can analyze a person’s viewing habits and recommend movies or TV shows that they might like. AI can also be used to create personalized music playlists or even generate new music compositions. In the world of gaming, AI-powered characters can provide a more immersive and challenging experience for players.
Despite all of its potential benefits, AI also raises some important ethical and societal questions. For example, there are concerns about the impact of AI on the job market, as automation could lead to job loss for many workers. There are also concerns about bias in AI algorithms, as they can reflect the biases of their creators or the data they are trained on.
Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to entertainment. While there are still challenges to overcome, the possibilities are endless. As AI continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how it shapes the world we live in.
