Ben Golub
@bengolub.bsky.social
economics and computer science professor at Northwestern
bengolub.net
social and economic networks
originally from Ukraine
bengolub.net
social and economic networks
originally from Ukraine
Reposted by Ben Golub
Tried refine.ink by @bengolub.bsky.social to get feedback about a paper and it's quite remarkable. Worth giving it a try. And if you use this link — www.refine.ink?ref=cGVkcm9t... — we can both get a free review.
November 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Tried refine.ink by @bengolub.bsky.social to get feedback about a paper and it's quite remarkable. Worth giving it a try. And if you use this link — www.refine.ink?ref=cGVkcm9t... — we can both get a free review.
Reposted by Ben Golub
I have just used refine.ink by @bengolub.bsky.social to proof-check 3 papers, and it is amazing! It checks for internal consistency, checks proofs and finds typos that I would not have seen!
Sign up using my link so we both can get extra reviews when:
www.refine.ink?ref=YS5wZWlj...
Sign up using my link so we both can get extra reviews when:
www.refine.ink?ref=YS5wZWlj...
refine
AI feedback for research.
refine.ink
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I have just used refine.ink by @bengolub.bsky.social to proof-check 3 papers, and it is amazing! It checks for internal consistency, checks proofs and finds typos that I would not have seen!
Sign up using my link so we both can get extra reviews when:
www.refine.ink?ref=YS5wZWlj...
Sign up using my link so we both can get extra reviews when:
www.refine.ink?ref=YS5wZWlj...
This is a common question -
Refine seems about equally useful for theory and empirical work.
It thinks about, e.g., whether
- the numbers in a paper make sense taken together
- the econometric equations match up with the verbal claims
- whether signs of effects make sense.
Refine seems about equally useful for theory and empirical work.
It thinks about, e.g., whether
- the numbers in a paper make sense taken together
- the econometric equations match up with the verbal claims
- whether signs of effects make sense.
The sales pitch seems much more targeted at theory than empirical papers. Did it "just" proof your paper or tell you what robustness checks to run or which standard errors to use?
November 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
This is a common question -
Refine seems about equally useful for theory and empirical work.
It thinks about, e.g., whether
- the numbers in a paper make sense taken together
- the econometric equations match up with the verbal claims
- whether signs of effects make sense.
Refine seems about equally useful for theory and empirical work.
It thinks about, e.g., whether
- the numbers in a paper make sense taken together
- the econometric equations match up with the verbal claims
- whether signs of effects make sense.
Reposted by Ben Golub
I just used refine.ink to proofread a paper that's nearly ready for circulation.
It had 23 comments. The first caught us using "reduces" instead of "increases" when describing our main treatment effect in the abstract.
I highly endorse this tool for preventing such embarassing errors!
It had 23 comments. The first caught us using "reduces" instead of "increases" when describing our main treatment effect in the abstract.
I highly endorse this tool for preventing such embarassing errors!
refine
AI feedback for research.
refine.ink
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I just used refine.ink to proofread a paper that's nearly ready for circulation.
It had 23 comments. The first caught us using "reduces" instead of "increases" when describing our main treatment effect in the abstract.
I highly endorse this tool for preventing such embarassing errors!
It had 23 comments. The first caught us using "reduces" instead of "increases" when describing our main treatment effect in the abstract.
I highly endorse this tool for preventing such embarassing errors!
Reposted by Ben Golub
If you sign up for Refine to proofread your papers, please use my referral link to create an account: www.refine.ink?ref=ay5ib2dh... That way we both can receive one free technical review!
November 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
If you sign up for Refine to proofread your papers, please use my referral link to create an account: www.refine.ink?ref=ay5ib2dh... That way we both can receive one free technical review!
Reposted by Ben Golub
A meme I created for a presentation I gave today
Best wishes to @bengolub.bsky.social and all other Eigenvalue appreciators
Best wishes to @bengolub.bsky.social and all other Eigenvalue appreciators
October 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
A meme I created for a presentation I gave today
Best wishes to @bengolub.bsky.social and all other Eigenvalue appreciators
Best wishes to @bengolub.bsky.social and all other Eigenvalue appreciators
Reposted by Ben Golub
🚨 We are hiring! ‼️‼️
tenured track assistant or associate prof in economics at university of Melbourne @unimelb.bsky.social
welcome applications from all fields (but especially from econometrics)
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
tenured track assistant or associate prof in economics at university of Melbourne @unimelb.bsky.social
welcome applications from all fields (but especially from econometrics)
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
EJM - Econ Job Market
econjobmarket.org
October 16, 2025 at 11:19 AM
🚨 We are hiring! ‼️‼️
tenured track assistant or associate prof in economics at university of Melbourne @unimelb.bsky.social
welcome applications from all fields (but especially from econometrics)
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
tenured track assistant or associate prof in economics at university of Melbourne @unimelb.bsky.social
welcome applications from all fields (but especially from econometrics)
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
Reposted by Ben Golub
This seems very interesting. I would be keen to hear about experiences with Refine.
Check out refine.ink for AI technical referee reports on your papers if you haven't tried it yet
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
#econtwitter #econsky: recently used Refine.ink (developed by @ben_golub) as a AI assessment tool for papers + it is amazing, so wanted to share some examples of what it can do if you are curious. (It's much, much better than other free tools I've used)
October 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This seems very interesting. I would be keen to hear about experiences with Refine.
Check out refine.ink for AI technical referee reports on your papers if you haven't tried it yet
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
#econtwitter #econsky: recently used Refine.ink (developed by @ben_golub) as a AI assessment tool for papers + it is amazing, so wanted to share some examples of what it can do if you are curious. (It's much, much better than other free tools I've used)
October 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Check out refine.ink for AI technical referee reports on your papers if you haven't tried it yet
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
DM me or reply if you want preview credits to see how it performs on papers of various kinds
Reposted by Ben Golub
#econtwitter #econsky: recently used Refine.ink (developed by @ben_golub) as a AI assessment tool for papers + it is amazing, so wanted to share some examples of what it can do if you are curious. (It's much, much better than other free tools I've used)
October 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
#econtwitter #econsky: recently used Refine.ink (developed by @ben_golub) as a AI assessment tool for papers + it is amazing, so wanted to share some examples of what it can do if you are curious. (It's much, much better than other free tools I've used)
Reposted by Ben Golub
Added Finance job decomposition, and Federal Reserve Bank/Board jobs (zero so far this year...)
October 9, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Added Finance job decomposition, and Federal Reserve Bank/Board jobs (zero so far this year...)
Reposted by Ben Golub
Posted a short blog post with updated data (and public repo with data) of current state of Econ job market:
paulgp.com/2025/10/08/j...
paulgp.com/2025/10/08/j...
October 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Posted a short blog post with updated data (and public repo with data) of current state of Econ job market:
paulgp.com/2025/10/08/j...
paulgp.com/2025/10/08/j...
presented without comment
October 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
presented without comment
Reposted by Ben Golub
I tried this on a manuscript—I’m impressed! It flagged:
- A missing variable in a first-order condition
- An outdated manual calc (“drop from X to Y is not Z%”)
- Inconsistent notation
- Miscellaneous typos (“and and”, “+ +”)
- Missing subscripts
- Several unclear passages
- A missing variable in a first-order condition
- An outdated manual calc (“drop from X to Y is not Z%”)
- Inconsistent notation
- Miscellaneous typos (“and and”, “+ +”)
- Missing subscripts
- Several unclear passages
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
September 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I tried this on a manuscript—I’m impressed! It flagged:
- A missing variable in a first-order condition
- An outdated manual calc (“drop from X to Y is not Z%”)
- Inconsistent notation
- Miscellaneous typos (“and and”, “+ +”)
- Missing subscripts
- Several unclear passages
- A missing variable in a first-order condition
- An outdated manual calc (“drop from X to Y is not Z%”)
- Inconsistent notation
- Miscellaneous typos (“and and”, “+ +”)
- Missing subscripts
- Several unclear passages
Reposted by Ben Golub
I have just used it for the first time and let me tell you, it is well worth the money. Highly recommended for a last check before submission. Great stuff 👏
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
September 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I have just used it for the first time and let me tell you, it is well worth the money. Highly recommended for a last check before submission. Great stuff 👏
Reposted by Ben Golub
This @beijingpalmer.bsky.social post reminded me I have been meaning to update @pewresearch.org's estimate of total newspaper newsroom jobs - which was 30,820 as of 2020
Using BLS OEWS data (w/ same methodology as Pew) the 2024 number is 29,260 - down another 5%
www.pewresearch.org/chart/sotnm-...
Using BLS OEWS data (w/ same methodology as Pew) the 2024 number is 29,260 - down another 5%
www.pewresearch.org/chart/sotnm-...
August 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This @beijingpalmer.bsky.social post reminded me I have been meaning to update @pewresearch.org's estimate of total newspaper newsroom jobs - which was 30,820 as of 2020
Using BLS OEWS data (w/ same methodology as Pew) the 2024 number is 29,260 - down another 5%
www.pewresearch.org/chart/sotnm-...
Using BLS OEWS data (w/ same methodology as Pew) the 2024 number is 29,260 - down another 5%
www.pewresearch.org/chart/sotnm-...
Reposted by Ben Golub
Survivorship bias maybe. There were other chesses.
chess is a fucked up game it really is way more finely balanced than it has any right to be
August 30, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Survivorship bias maybe. There were other chesses.
Reposted by Ben Golub
Peter Temin, economic historian at MIT, has passed away. He worked both on problems of understanding the past (e.g. "Did Monetary Forces Cause the Great Depression?") and how how the past shapes the present (e.g. "The Vanishing Middle Class.") Terrific scholar and mentor, generous critic.
August 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Peter Temin, economic historian at MIT, has passed away. He worked both on problems of understanding the past (e.g. "Did Monetary Forces Cause the Great Depression?") and how how the past shapes the present (e.g. "The Vanishing Middle Class.") Terrific scholar and mentor, generous critic.
Reposted by Ben Golub
I wrote about automation and the meaning of life, as a guest post on Scott Aaronson's Shtetl-Optimized. (1/5)
scottaaronson.blog?p=9030
scottaaronson.blog?p=9030
ChatGPT and the Meaning of Life: Guest Post by Harvey Lederman
Scott Aaronson’s Brief Foreword: Harvey Lederman is a distinguished analytic philosopher who moved from Princeton to UT Austin a few years ago. Since his arrival, he’s become one of my …
scottaaronson.blog
August 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
I wrote about automation and the meaning of life, as a guest post on Scott Aaronson's Shtetl-Optimized. (1/5)
scottaaronson.blog?p=9030
scottaaronson.blog?p=9030
Reposted by Ben Golub
A 16 y o running a 1:42.27 800m is maybe the most impressive and amazing and shocking athletic feat I have ever seen. Hard to explain how truly extraordinary it is.
😤DONAVAN BRAZIER 1:42.16 PB TO WIN 800M NATIONAL TITLE!!!!
1:42.27 U18 WORLD RECORD FOR 16-YEAR-OLD COOPER LUTKENHAUS IN SECOND!!!
1:42.27 U18 WORLD RECORD FOR 16-YEAR-OLD COOPER LUTKENHAUS IN SECOND!!!
August 4, 2025 at 3:20 AM
A 16 y o running a 1:42.27 800m is maybe the most impressive and amazing and shocking athletic feat I have ever seen. Hard to explain how truly extraordinary it is.
Reposted by Ben Golub
Reminds me of this paper aclanthology.org/2025.finding...
Large Language Models Reflect Human Citation Patterns with a Heightened Citation Bias
Andres Algaba, Carmen Mazijn, Vincent Holst, Floriano Tori, Sylvia Wenmackers, Vincent Ginis. Findings of the Association for Computational Linguistics: NAACL 2025. 2025.
aclanthology.org
August 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reminds me of this paper aclanthology.org/2025.finding...
I wonder how LLM literature reviews will change "rich-get-richer" effects in academic citations.
August 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I wonder how LLM literature reviews will change "rich-get-richer" effects in academic citations.
Reposted by Ben Golub
Okay, now that I've used it for some work on forecasting, I have to say this is a fantastic tool! We will be changing some things in our paper as a result. Highly recommended!
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
August 1, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Okay, now that I've used it for some work on forecasting, I have to say this is a fantastic tool! We will be changing some things in our paper as a result. Highly recommended!
Reposted by Ben Golub
Belatedly doing my best to amplify this. Refine works, and I can totally see it becoming part of my pre-submission routine.
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
July 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Belatedly doing my best to amplify this. Refine works, and I can totally see it becoming part of my pre-submission routine.
Reposted by Ben Golub
Refine is at a completely different level from the other LLM-based review tools I have tried. It not only identified a large number of small errors in my paper, it also correctly identified what I think is the biggest conceptual weakness. Definitely worth trying.
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
July 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Refine is at a completely different level from the other LLM-based review tools I have tried. It not only identified a large number of small errors in my paper, it also correctly identified what I think is the biggest conceptual weakness. Definitely worth trying.