ZackB @thekazath@qoto.org

Hey #econtwitter et al., I'm also now on Bluesky and the EconSky feed over there @thekazath.bsky.social (thx to the organizers of that).

#econtwitter & others, I need some new podcasts. I've found myself being very picky about what I want to listen to lately in 🚗 & walking🐕‍🦺. About all I can stomach right now are some old school NPR shows & NYT Hard Fork or an audio book. Suggestions?

Wheels up for #AAEA

to be clear, some of this has already been happening - & I'm certainly not the first person with this idea... I just think it should be pushed to the absolute max
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-announces-42-billion-approved-public-service-loan-forgiveness-more-615000-borrowers-october-2021
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/26/1131461940/student-loan-forgiveness-pslf

In light of Supreme Court decision on student loans: With the bulk of the $1.6 trillion student loan debt backed by Federal gov, and with major challenges to filling civil and military service, this seems like a huge opportunity of the moment for a vast expansion of the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Kind of like a GI bill in reverse. I wonder how much expansion would be allowed without Congressional action?

Atlanta aquarium blew my 5yo's mind on Fri

Just wanted to share with the world some great performances I've seen last few weeks- a blazing set by Keb' Mo' last night at Carolina Theater, another blazing set by Sierra Hull at Shakori Hills with the family this past weekend & a side-splitting evening with David Spade a couple weeks back at Durham Performing Arts Center- which far exceeded expectations. (Keb' Mo' & Spade tix were both from buddies whose dates bailed on them, lucky for me!)

Also, discovered a fantastic group that got people *movin* - Electric Piquete
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6X4aoAjzLbobdpgbn9vj8J

Grades in on Friday & had a magical time with the family watching a monster set by Sierra Hull & co. at Shakori Hills this weekend. Summer's off to a good start...

Interesting discussion of a somewhat more scientific poll on this topic than mine: "The coin is more popular than Vladimir Putin" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-04-26/new-poll-on-minting-a-trillion-dollar-coin-to-lift-us-debt-ceiling

(My non-economist wife's reaction is in line with the broader poll results- she was completely unaware of this possibility until I described it last week, and then she thought it was crazy. )

But I'm telling you, I think there's a larger probability of this happening than the average person appreciates...

It was a rewarding privilege teaching PhD-level resource economics to 6 engaged & motivated students this semester. Still plenty of room to grow, but I learned a lot about how to teach this material as effectively & practically as possible.

Completely out of the blue, my 5yo wanted to ride his pedal bike all the way to preschool, about 1.5mi from our house, this morning. (Previously, he only rode his pedal bike around on a bball court.) I rode my bike along with him. A few hills, minor spills & bumps later, he rolled successfully into school & he was so proud of himself. Pure, terrifying, fatherly joy.

Well, 100% (N=1) vote 'no'. I guess that settles it!

... as an economist who thinks a lot about pest population biology, the most fascinating aspect of the book is the emphasis on heterogeneous values towards different animals - and how to weigh those values in management