Ben Bushong
@benbushong.com
Visiting Harvard University and HBS, 25-26
Associate Professor at Michigan State. Formerly: Harvard, Caltech, Oregon.
Using psychology ✕ economics to explore people's beliefs and choices. All opinions my own.
🐶 + 🧠 + 📚 + 🏃🏽+ 🌈 + 🩵
web: benbushong.com
Associate Professor at Michigan State. Formerly: Harvard, Caltech, Oregon.
Using psychology ✕ economics to explore people's beliefs and choices. All opinions my own.
🐶 + 🧠 + 📚 + 🏃🏽+ 🌈 + 🩵
web: benbushong.com
Reposted by Ben Bushong
I don’t think we should make concessions to the Masked Murderers Guild of America. I don’t think we should compromise so the Masked Murderers Guild of America stops using kidnapped kids from schools as bait. I thought this was already illegal. The Masked Murderers Guild of America should not exist.
January 27, 2026 at 3:06 PM
I don’t think we should make concessions to the Masked Murderers Guild of America. I don’t think we should compromise so the Masked Murderers Guild of America stops using kidnapped kids from schools as bait. I thought this was already illegal. The Masked Murderers Guild of America should not exist.
It's almost as if the administration is bad at the law...
BM: i can't commit --
J: but it would change the federal reaction? if they change policy, one of goals of surge would be accomplished?
BM: not one of goals. the goal is to enforce federal law.
J: i have this letter from AG Bondi saying: you need to do these 3 things if you want this to stop.
/72
J: but it would change the federal reaction? if they change policy, one of goals of surge would be accomplished?
BM: not one of goals. the goal is to enforce federal law.
J: i have this letter from AG Bondi saying: you need to do these 3 things if you want this to stop.
/72
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
It's almost as if the administration is bad at the law...
Through it all, Fox News gonna Fox News.
January 25, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Through it all, Fox News gonna Fox News.
My goodness the correct headline is coming from [checks notes] TMZ of all places?!
Media... get your act together.
Media... get your act together.
January 25, 2026 at 12:46 PM
My goodness the correct headline is coming from [checks notes] TMZ of all places?!
Media... get your act together.
Media... get your act together.
Reposted by Ben Bushong
Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.
January 24, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.
We cannot trust our own government.
January 24, 2026 at 8:03 PM
We cannot trust our own government.
Prof. Litman's viewing is accurate. I do not encourage watching the video, but it clearly captures one agent firing at least four shots into a defenseless man on the ground.
from what I can see, the video shows a beating followed by an execution.
January 24, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Prof. Litman's viewing is accurate. I do not encourage watching the video, but it clearly captures one agent firing at least four shots into a defenseless man on the ground.
It's okay, Europe. Just sell the Treasuries. I know this will be bad for millions of people. But appeasing the crazy person is bad for billions.
Do. Not. Negotiate. With. The. Madman.
January 21, 2026 at 2:20 PM
It's okay, Europe. Just sell the Treasuries. I know this will be bad for millions of people. But appeasing the crazy person is bad for billions.
Do. Not. Negotiate. With. The. Madman.
January 21, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Do. Not. Negotiate. With. The. Madman.
January 7, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Can we PLEASE do actual protests now?
January 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Can we PLEASE do actual protests now?
Evergreen...
Gang, I don't think Grandpa's doing so hot...
January 3, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Evergreen...
Remember when a group of Democratic lawmakers posted a video directed to the military stating that they have an obligation to disregard illegal orders?
I don't have any reason for bringing this up, just, like, memories.
I don't have any reason for bringing this up, just, like, memories.
January 3, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Remember when a group of Democratic lawmakers posted a video directed to the military stating that they have an obligation to disregard illegal orders?
I don't have any reason for bringing this up, just, like, memories.
I don't have any reason for bringing this up, just, like, memories.
Reposted by Ben Bushong
Reposted by Ben Bushong
It is with a heavy heart that I tell that the Michigan Econ community learned yesterday about the death of our chair John Leahy. He was such a bright economist and cheerful human being. I personally owe him a lot. RIP, John, the world today is darker without you. 🖤
December 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It is with a heavy heart that I tell that the Michigan Econ community learned yesterday about the death of our chair John Leahy. He was such a bright economist and cheerful human being. I personally owe him a lot. RIP, John, the world today is darker without you. 🖤
This OpenAI + Disney deal is completely stupid. In a nutshell:
DIS gives OAI a billion dollars now (which solves some genuine and immediate cash flow issues). OAI, in return, gives them equity and the ability to buy more. Also, their slop app can now erode the brand value of Disney.
Iger u drunk?
DIS gives OAI a billion dollars now (which solves some genuine and immediate cash flow issues). OAI, in return, gives them equity and the ability to buy more. Also, their slop app can now erode the brand value of Disney.
Iger u drunk?
December 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
This OpenAI + Disney deal is completely stupid. In a nutshell:
DIS gives OAI a billion dollars now (which solves some genuine and immediate cash flow issues). OAI, in return, gives them equity and the ability to buy more. Also, their slop app can now erode the brand value of Disney.
Iger u drunk?
DIS gives OAI a billion dollars now (which solves some genuine and immediate cash flow issues). OAI, in return, gives them equity and the ability to buy more. Also, their slop app can now erode the brand value of Disney.
Iger u drunk?
This is a fantastic example of false balance.
In an article about administrative review of course materials, the art history professor provides a pretty cogent argument against the Texas approach. But, hey, calm down: the math professor says it won’t affect him and therefore seems fine!
In an article about administrative review of course materials, the art history professor provides a pretty cogent argument against the Texas approach. But, hey, calm down: the math professor says it won’t affect him and therefore seems fine!
December 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
This is a fantastic example of false balance.
In an article about administrative review of course materials, the art history professor provides a pretty cogent argument against the Texas approach. But, hey, calm down: the math professor says it won’t affect him and therefore seems fine!
In an article about administrative review of course materials, the art history professor provides a pretty cogent argument against the Texas approach. But, hey, calm down: the math professor says it won’t affect him and therefore seems fine!
I was able to replicate this behavior across OpenAI’s product offerings. Therefore I am an AI researcher please give me $100 million.
December 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I was able to replicate this behavior across OpenAI’s product offerings. Therefore I am an AI researcher please give me $100 million.
Reposted by Ben Bushong
OpenAI designed the affirming tone of ChatGPT to goose engagement because their business model depends on it. Blanket affirmation and encouragement is how we get people turning to ChatGPT as a therapist AND how we get suicide instructions, deepening delusions, and this shit. It's the business model.
New from 404 Media: ChatGPT told a violent stalker to continue running his misogynistic and threat-filled podcast despite the “haters,” and to visit more gyms to find women. The man stalked women in multiple states, including touching and following from work
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
ChatGPT Told a Violent Stalker to Embrace the 'Haters,' Indictment Says
A newly filed indictment claims a wannabe influencer used ChatGPT as his "therapist" and "best friend" in his pursuit of the "wife type," while harassing women so aggressively they had to miss work a...
www.404media.co
December 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
OpenAI designed the affirming tone of ChatGPT to goose engagement because their business model depends on it. Blanket affirmation and encouragement is how we get people turning to ChatGPT as a therapist AND how we get suicide instructions, deepening delusions, and this shit. It's the business model.
Fascinating. And ya gotta love a good Stata figure.
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
December 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fascinating. And ya gotta love a good Stata figure.
How did the President get a transcript of my Thanksgiving toast?
November 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
How did the President get a transcript of my Thanksgiving toast?
WTF is this?!
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
November 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM
WTF is this?!
What in the actual f*#% it's been Amy the whole time?!
November 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
What in the actual f*#% it's been Amy the whole time?!
Planes Not Uggos™️. Thank you for your attention to this matter -Very Serious Thinker and Road Rules Alumn Sean Duffy
(Okay hot take: I agree with some of these general principles and would appreciate if people didn't treat close-quarters planes like their private spaces. But this guy is a clown.)
(Okay hot take: I agree with some of these general principles and would appreciate if people didn't treat close-quarters planes like their private spaces. But this guy is a clown.)
Sean Duffy: "Dressing with respect -- whether it's a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better which encourages us to maybe behave a little better. Let's try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport."
November 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Planes Not Uggos™️. Thank you for your attention to this matter -Very Serious Thinker and Road Rules Alumn Sean Duffy
(Okay hot take: I agree with some of these general principles and would appreciate if people didn't treat close-quarters planes like their private spaces. But this guy is a clown.)
(Okay hot take: I agree with some of these general principles and would appreciate if people didn't treat close-quarters planes like their private spaces. But this guy is a clown.)
Hi Bitcoin fans just wondering how that digital store of value is doing? Like, it’s a replacement for gold right and totally not about the crime or scamming right? Hello? Guys?
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hi Bitcoin fans just wondering how that digital store of value is doing? Like, it’s a replacement for gold right and totally not about the crime or scamming right? Hello? Guys?