@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

FantasticalEconomics

@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social

I'm an environmental economist who researches econ pedagogy to make learning economics marginally less dismal.

My pipe-dream is to write a fantasy novel/economics textbook, which is getting closer to reality every day.

#economics #TeachEcon #sustainability #DoughnutEconomics #degrowth

Profile pic is me smiling in front of a whiteboard with economics gibberish -- cause econ makes me happy.

Background is my dog, Freya, who is derpily sticking her tongue out while passed out.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Colorado joins four other states (California, Illinois, Maryland and Minnesota) in banning book bans!

This new bill also:

  • makes the names of people trying to ban books public record.
  • protects library workers from "the whims of politicians or the demands of the public."

Things like this make me proud to be a Colorado resident.

https://bookriot.com/colorado-passes-anti-book-ban-bill-for-public-libraries/

FantasticalEconomics, to climate
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Should we continue emitting copious amounts of carbon, expecting future technology to save us? Absolutely not.

Should we be hopeful technological advancements will help mitigate the impacts of ? Absolutely yes.

It will always be cheaper, wiser, and more equitable to reduce emissions today than to remove them in the future, , but improving efficiency of direct air capture is something we should celebrate as a needed complement.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/4/24170729/direct-air-capture-carbon-dioxide-removal-climate-tech-climeworks-generation-3

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Just finished Neil Howe's "The Fourth Turning is Here" and 10/10 would not recommend.

Howe uses historical trends to make deterministic predictions about the future - a dubious proposition at best - based on 80ish year generational cycles of which he has only 6, a tiny sample size, to draw trends from. One of those doesn't even fit the grand pattern he argues for.

1/4

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Future headline: To combat future wokeness, GOP promotes federal book ban ban bans.

"Don't let states tell concerned parents what they can't complain about and which minorities they can't opress" says RNC spokesperson with familial ties to Trump (we at Future News apologize for being unable to narrow down the speaker of this potential quote further).

And by that nonsense, I mean let's applaud Minnesota, Illinois, and Maryland for banning book bans.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/04/us/states-fight-book-bans-reaj/index.html

FantasticalEconomics, to Economics
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

I've been on here a few years, probably time for an #introduction!

I #TeachEcon, #economics, and #degrowth because it's what I know.

I discuss #ClimateChange and #USPolitics because I believe they are important (and #VoteBlue for the same reason).

I research #teaching, pedagogy, and grades because incentives matter, especially in #education.

I read and #AmWriting #fantasy and #SciFi just for the fun of it.

FantasticalEconomics, to climate
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

You've probably heard of the depressing state climate scientists are in from warning us of dangers we seem unable to marshall the social will to combat.

But you may have heard far less about how social climate scientists - the experts in humanity's efforts to tackle - feel. You may be surprised many use phrases like: "intentionally optimistic," "climate despair is a luxury for those not living through climate disasters" and " empowerment in the process."

https://theconversation.com/heres-how-climate-social-scientists-are-finding-their-way-in-the-era-of-climate-crisis-229861

FantasticalEconomics, to USpolitics
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Just a reminder that while one party spends on protecting voting rights the other marshals its legal assault to challenge election results - for an election that is months away - and disenfranchise voters.

Imperfect democracy vs authoritarianism is on the ballot this November. if that matters to you.

https://www.axios.com/2024/06/02/legal-battle-2024-election-begun-biden-trump

FantasticalEconomics, to USpolitics
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Trump raised a record-breaking $34.8 million the day after being convicted of election interference. That's nearly double their previous largest single-day online donation amount.

29.7% were new donors.

This is not a drill. He will get reelected unless people on the left step up to oppose him. And makes it clear how much worse things can get, both domestically and abroad.

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/31/trump-fundraising-record-hush-money-conviction

FantasticalEconomics, to TodayILearned
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Good news everyone!

"ChatGPT Edu, powered by GPT-4o, is designed for universities to responsibly integrate AI into academic and campus operations. This advanced AI tool supports text and vision reasoning, data analysis, and offers enterprise-level security."

Based on everything we know about AI, I am sure nothing could possibly go wrong with this new tool to integrate it into our #teaching and campus operations more broadly.
/Obvious sarcasm

https://neurosciencenews.com/openai-chatgpt-edu-ai-26206/

@academicchatter #HigherEd

jrefior, to internet
@jrefior@hachyderm.io avatar

If getting your news from TikTok is better than getting your news from Facebook, it's mostly a matter of degree.

"users on TikTok have been falsely suggesting [that Trump] has already been found not guilty.. These videos are the latest example of TikTok users earning engagement from misinformation and harmful content."
https://www.mediamatters.org/tiktok/tiktok-spreading-false-posts-suggesting-trump-was-already-found-not-guilty-ny-trial
—
#SocialMedia #misinformation #news #ignorance #TikTok #Facebook

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@jrefior

To be fair, they did learn that trick from traditional media.

Any model where there is a huge benefit of posting news first (social media or otherwise) is going to have major accuracy problems.

Definitely a problem, just not one I'd pin solely on the head of TikTok and social media ecosystems.

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Motion to replace the (rude, misogynistic, and outdated) phrase "wears the pants in the relationship" with "flys the flag in the relationship".

For instance: good relationship advice is to find a partner where no one person flys the flag in the relationship, so that responsibilities, power, and treasonous messages are shared equally.

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

You've probably heard that many people think inflation is still much higher than it actually is, but did you know that people have changed the definition of inflation (and didn't tell us economists)?

Inflation no longer seems to mean "rising prices" but, instead, "high prices". So 'inflation' can be high even as prices fall, the thought of which gives me a hell of a headache...

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/26/inflation-definition-evolution-high-prices

FantasticalEconomics, to climate
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

When non-violent protest - non-violent protest to save the world, no less - is criminalized, the world should worry.

"Five members of Letzte Generation, Germany’s equivalent to Just Stop Oil, have been charged with “forming a criminal organisation”, a move civil rights campaigners say could in effect criminalise future support for the climate campaign."

"It is believed to be the first time the law has been applied to a non-violent protest group."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/23/alarm-as-german-climate-activists-charged-with-forming-a-criminal-organisation

#ClimateChange

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

I’ve never been accused of having a way with words. I have always been more drawn to math, hence economist.

That said, I gave a speech today asking our administration to drop charges related to the that I am quite proud of.

I am sharing it here for anyone who would like to hear my perspective as a member of the faculty who has witnessed and been arrested alongside students at one of these protests you have heard so much about.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zfqpLJxZEIIIKMb6PihcPL5yluNhRBucAC_aZQf9qFc

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

If anyone is in the Denver area tomorrow (Wednesday 5/22) and is interested in helping push the administration to drop charges against student protesters, I am speaking at a faculty press conference at noon and we would love the support!

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1GK7i3AP6z2a0oFHvj3sNt8ruuXSIFTJYirskZgcrCgM/mobilebasic?sh=Z2RPvEmFUU6gwMsS&ca=1&invite=CI-ZjPID

FantasticalEconomics, to random
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

This is a prime time for Democrats to change their tune on .

"On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin NETANYAHU, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav GALLANT, the Minister of Defence of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 8 October 2023"

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@FrankFrank

Sure. But I think the ICC having "reasonable grounds" to believe war crimes are being committed is reasonable grounds to rethink policy and strategy on the region, no?

Delaying arms shipments until the international body that has expertise in the area of war crimes is convinced they are unlikely to be used to commit war crimes seems like a winning political policy in my book (and has a nice moral ring to it, too).

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@FrankFrank

I may be missing how this article relates here. The three main critiques don't seem to connect to this situation very well.

"On the one hand, the Court is being criticized for not having done enough to raise awareness about its work, because it has not communicated effectively with affected communities, victims, or the general public. ... Two other main areas of criticism faced by the Court concern its high costs and slow pace of justice."

jackofalltrades, to random
@jackofalltrades@mas.to avatar

In the past, countries used fossil fuels to develop, as these happened to be the energy sources available. Now we have renewables, so we can abandon fossil fuels.

Environmental destruction is not inherent to industrial civilization, but is caused by capitalism. The growth imperative is a feature of capitalism and not part of any unchanging human nature.

By adopting a different economic/political system we can resolve all ecological tensions.

Is this story true? How would I know if it is?

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@jackofalltrades

I think an important point of this is that we cannot resolve the economic crisis under capitalism (at least how it is currently defined). The persuit of growth (and profits) preclude it.

So switching economic systems to one that inherently values the ecosystem we depend on provides a chance, at least, of doing so.

I'll take a chance, slim as it may be, over none at all.

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@jackofalltrades

They are intertwined, but could be (at least partially) decoupled.

I reject the idea that, with our technology, we could not support a high-wellbeing society for everyone we have living (and more). Especially if we genuinely pushed for maximizing wellbeing instead of profits.

Human ingenuity is truly amazing and has yet to be harnessed in a direction to benefit all. The more we design economies to incentivize that, the better. And, as a hopeless optimist, I believe we can.

FantasticalEconomics, to climate
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

Ah, . Neoclasical (mainstream) economic theory tells us it ensures resources will be put to the best, most efficient use. However, ignores the obvious: wealth equals power, so that what is "best" for society is what the richest value.

Like chasing everlasting youth by getting weekly blood transfusions from your teenage son and $40,000 gym membership add-ons.

Imagine if these resources were devoted to fighting or instead.

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/19/wellness-longevity-industry-equinox-membership

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@AlexanderKingsbury

I've really been trying to just be an observer here, but I can't resist calling out this absudity.

Did you really just use a specific example of how correlation doesn't imply causation to argue that correlation does, in fact, imply causation? That's next level stupid.

You seem to be (mis)interpreting "imply" to mean something like "incorrectly believe" at times, my illogical, capitalist friend.

@jackofalltrades

FantasticalEconomics, to Economics
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

We really need to rethink our capitalistic obsession of running things like a business. Cutting costs to increase profits obviously doesn't make sense in areas of education, healthcare, public utilities, and prisons, to name just a few.

Hell, Boeing is making a strong case that it doesn't even make sense for businesses to be run like a business, much less these public goods...

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@dlakelan

The world would be a much better place if that's what most people used their business degrees for :)

@philip_cardella

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@GhostOnTheHalfShell

You seem to imply 'strip mining' a company is not 'running it like a business.' Today it seems like that is the primary way to do it!

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@GhostOnTheHalfShell

Yeah. It's a shame there is such a disconnect between what is and what should be.

But, alas, the way businesses are run today is running everything into the ground, including many businesses themselves, all for the short-term gain of those in power.

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@dlakelan

Agreed. It's a hell of a false dichotomy, and one that is intentionally amplified to prevent meaningful change.

In general, I try to teach my students that either-or framing is problematic. It's often used to trick and mislead as there are very rarely only two options. Getting them to specifically think about options for a society that lie between pure capitalism and communism is a good start. Then expanding their views to realize that is only the beginning.

@GhostOnTheHalfShell

FantasticalEconomics,
@FantasticalEconomics@geekdom.social avatar

@GhostOnTheHalfShell

Fantastic vid. I'm using this in my classes for sure.

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