David Passmore
@davidpassmore.bsky.social
Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Penn State University (https://davidpassmore.net). Live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Niagara Falls, New York, native. I post critical presentations & analyses of information I read.
Economics
26%
Education
12%
Michael, send me a note sometime about how your new job is progressing.
The only number that really matters
If you care about happiness, well-being, or growth, you should care about GDP.
www.vox.com
GDP is a common -- and complicated -- measure of macroeconomic performance.
See ---> www.vox.com/policy/47195...
See ---> www.vox.com/policy/47195...
Input-output analysis | Examples, Tables, & Planning | Britannica Money
input-output analysis, economic analysis developed by the 20th-century Russian-born U.S. economist Wassily...
www.britannica.com
However, the total requirements of the economy to produce GDP actually exceed the value of GDP. For instance, when you buy a car (a contribution to GDP) you buy steel only indirectly as a part of the total requirements for auto production.
See:
www.britannica.com/money/input-...
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See:
www.britannica.com/money/input-...
/MORE
GDP is the dollar value (often inflation-adjusted) of final products delivered to personal consumption, fixed investment, inventory change, exports (net of imports), and government expenditures.
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As more data are assembled from a large and difficult-to-grasp economy, final GDP estimates, higher or lower, often occur months later.
We'll see in the fullness of time, right?
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We'll see in the fullness of time, right?
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I don’t mean to cast shade on the enthusiasm these estimates have provoked. Consumer spending, exports, and government spending increased, leading this GDP increase (imports decreased). Yet, remember that these estimates are “Initial” and “preliminary.”
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THE TRUTH ALWAYS BECOMES SOCIAL...
...just as water always reaches its own level
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/b...
THE TRUTH ALWAYS BECOMES SOCIAL...
...just as water always reaches its own level
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/b...
DISASTERS OCCUR WHEN PILOTS ARE SO RIVETED ON LANDING AT DESTINATION AIRPORTS THAT THEY FAIL TO CONTINUE FLYING THEIR PLANES SAFELY
Aviation experts call it "get-there-itis" bit.ly/GTitis.
Read about the White House version with AI ---> nyti.ms/4aPniE3
Aviation experts call it "get-there-itis" bit.ly/GTitis.
Read about the White House version with AI ---> nyti.ms/4aPniE3
COINCIDENCE? YOU JUDGE!
On this date in history:
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith born (1805).
• Vincent van Gogh cuts off his ear (1888).
On this date in history:
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith born (1805).
• Vincent van Gogh cuts off his ear (1888).
Words to admire, but difficult for many to live by.
Ant - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts
Everything you should know about the Ant. The Ant is a tiny insect with thousands of species worldwide. Ants are incredibly adaptable.
animals.net
OTHER GOOD SOURCES
Description, habitat, diet--
animals.net/ant/
An ant web Index--
www.antscihub.com/ant-sites
Understanding ants: Behavior & control--
theantvault.com/blogs/news/a...
Ant keeping--
antkeeping.info
Ant eating--
antsauce.com/blogs/helpfu...
Any social structure--
bit.ly/antB
Description, habitat, diet--
animals.net/ant/
An ant web Index--
www.antscihub.com/ant-sites
Understanding ants: Behavior & control--
theantvault.com/blogs/news/a...
Ant keeping--
antkeeping.info
Ant eating--
antsauce.com/blogs/helpfu...
Any social structure--
bit.ly/antB
E.O. WILSON, MOST FAMOUS ANT RESEARCHER
Books about ants include "The Ants" by B. Hölldobler & E.O. Wilson & "Adventures Among Ants" by M. W. Moffett. Also, "Journey to the Ants" & "The Superorganism," both by Hölldobler & Wilson, explore ant behavior & social structures.
amzn.to/4bagFMm
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Books about ants include "The Ants" by B. Hölldobler & E.O. Wilson & "Adventures Among Ants" by M. W. Moffett. Also, "Journey to the Ants" & "The Superorganism," both by Hölldobler & Wilson, explore ant behavior & social structures.
amzn.to/4bagFMm
/MORE
ANTS ARE SO INTERESTING....
....as are all social insects.
20 quadrillion individual ants on Earth (>2 million/human) in over 15,000 species. Among other things, they aerate soil, recycle dead matter, and disperse seeds.
nyti.ms/3KZ7eVE
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....as are all social insects.
20 quadrillion individual ants on Earth (>2 million/human) in over 15,000 species. Among other things, they aerate soil, recycle dead matter, and disperse seeds.
nyti.ms/3KZ7eVE
/MORE
THE U.S. IS UNPREPARED
China dominates lithium iron phosphate battery production & battery supply chain.
“Reliance for a strategic commodity or a technology on one single country, one single trade route,”...[International Energy Agency executive director] said, “is always risky."
nyti.ms/4pccseJ
China dominates lithium iron phosphate battery production & battery supply chain.
“Reliance for a strategic commodity or a technology on one single country, one single trade route,”...[International Energy Agency executive director] said, “is always risky."
nyti.ms/4pccseJ
"THERE NEVER WAS A GOOD WAR, OR A BAD PEACE."
– Benjamin Franklin
– Benjamin Franklin
Reposted by David Passmore
Did u know?With most insects overwintering,I miss their fabulous presence.Let's stop to consider what amazing architects they are. These are just some of the incredible structures they make to complete their magical metamorphic lifecycles:Leafcutter tubes,silken cocoons & papery nurseries.🌱🌿🇬🇧🌿🪲🌍🐞🦋🐝🐛
MAKE U.S. CHILDHOOD VACCINE SCHEDULE SAME AS DENMARK'S?
Huh? Risk in U.S. ≠ Denmark.
The U.S. has a large and diverse population and a patchy system of medical care.
Denmark has comprehensive free prenatal care and an infant mortality rate about half that of the United States.
nyti.ms/4jaZ6xU
Huh? Risk in U.S. ≠ Denmark.
The U.S. has a large and diverse population and a patchy system of medical care.
Denmark has comprehensive free prenatal care and an infant mortality rate about half that of the United States.
nyti.ms/4jaZ6xU
A HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
One prominent recommendation is to "keep [your] emotions in check."
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/ca...
One prominent recommendation is to "keep [your] emotions in check."
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/ca...
AI & LOWER-INCOME WORKERS
20% of AI-exposed workers are in low-income households. Implementation varies, but is concentrated in Office and Administrative Support occupations and in service-oriented industries, such as Health Care and Social Assistance.
www.frbsf.org/wp-content/u...
20% of AI-exposed workers are in low-income households. Implementation varies, but is concentrated in Office and Administrative Support occupations and in service-oriented industries, such as Health Care and Social Assistance.
www.frbsf.org/wp-content/u...
NUCLEAR FUSION: NOT YET READY FOR PRIME TIME.
WHY, TRUMP?
Many experts consider fusion the holy grail of energy, capable of delivering enormous power in the distant future. Trump’s media company is betting it is imminent.
See on.wsj.com/3KUmd36
WHY, TRUMP?
Many experts consider fusion the holy grail of energy, capable of delivering enormous power in the distant future. Trump’s media company is betting it is imminent.
See on.wsj.com/3KUmd36
BTW, BEEF SUPPLY IS TIGHT
"The herd rebuild, when it does occur, will be slower than the last rebuild that began in 2014. This slower speed is likely to mean relatively tight supplies and support for cattle prices for the next few years."
www.beefmagazine.com/market-news/...
"The herd rebuild, when it does occur, will be slower than the last rebuild that began in 2014. This slower speed is likely to mean relatively tight supplies and support for cattle prices for the next few years."
www.beefmagazine.com/market-news/...
COOL: Political Sisyphus
Despite past failures and limited consumer interest, lawmakers renew efforts to reinstate country-of-origin labeling for beef.
www.feedstuffs.com
U.S. CONSUMERS DO NOT REALLY CARE FROM WHERE THEIR BEEF COMES
Requirements for country-of-origin labeling do not influence consumer demand among U.S. beef consumers, despite hopes of U.S. beef producers.
See www.feedstuffs.com/policy/cool-...
Requirements for country-of-origin labeling do not influence consumer demand among U.S. beef consumers, despite hopes of U.S. beef producers.
See www.feedstuffs.com/policy/cool-...
Good old Kublai Khan. I remember him as a fun loving guy with flashing eyes and flowing hair that wove a web ‘round him thrice.
Susie Wiles importance in Trump’s circle.
“Yes, she’s doing a great job,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday when asked if she would remain in the job. Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Wiles “is the best chief of staff that President Trump could ever ask for.”
on.wsj.com/4qk9INf
“Yes, she’s doing a great job,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday when asked if she would remain in the job. Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Wiles “is the best chief of staff that President Trump could ever ask for.”
on.wsj.com/4qk9INf
Opinion | Alarm Bells Ring, Are You Listening?
Between his rallies and online ranting, Trump is setting up a nasty midterm loss.
www.wsj.com
"The adage, 'if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all' is especially true when the subjects are a treasured elderly couple stabbed to death (allegedly) by their son."
~ Karl Rove, American Republican political consultant, www.wsj.com/opinion/alar...
~ Karl Rove, American Republican political consultant, www.wsj.com/opinion/alar...
CRYPTO GAMBLING
Public companies bought crypto with loans. Investors spent >$200 billion in crypto. Yield major gains or crushing losses?
“The line between betting, speculating, and investing has largely disappeared,” said a former Treasury official. “It’s very worrisome to me.”
bit.ly/4rZMOw7
Public companies bought crypto with loans. Investors spent >$200 billion in crypto. Yield major gains or crushing losses?
“The line between betting, speculating, and investing has largely disappeared,” said a former Treasury official. “It’s very worrisome to me.”
bit.ly/4rZMOw7
Europe starts learning how to shoot down drones
Incursions at airfields may be Russia’s latest hybrid threat
www.economist.com
NOT YOUR FATHER'S WAR
European airspace faces rising drone incursions, likely Russian hybrid attacks; detection and countermeasures struggle to keep pace.
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
European airspace faces rising drone incursions, likely Russian hybrid attacks; detection and countermeasures struggle to keep pace.
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...