Bitsy Perlman
@bitsyperlman.bsky.social
Economic Historian at the Census. 19th & 21st C innovation, sci of sci, urban/spatial, info spread. All views are my own or expressed for rhetorical exposition. Posts before 2025 were imported. (they/them)
Brookline, MA
Brookline, MA
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
👋 I'm Danielle, and I'm on the #econjobmarket this year!
Let's start with a student describing her segregated school:
"The school felt temporary. Built like a warehouse with aluminum siding . . . I had a slipshod education"
The twist? The student is white, and her school is private.
A JMP 🧵 -->
Let's start with a student describing her segregated school:
"The school felt temporary. Built like a warehouse with aluminum siding . . . I had a slipshod education"
The twist? The student is white, and her school is private.
A JMP 🧵 -->
November 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
👋 I'm Danielle, and I'm on the #econjobmarket this year!
Let's start with a student describing her segregated school:
"The school felt temporary. Built like a warehouse with aluminum siding . . . I had a slipshod education"
The twist? The student is white, and her school is private.
A JMP 🧵 -->
Let's start with a student describing her segregated school:
"The school felt temporary. Built like a warehouse with aluminum siding . . . I had a slipshod education"
The twist? The student is white, and her school is private.
A JMP 🧵 -->
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
‘Nickname’ is not ‘nick’ + ‘name.’
It was originally ‘ekename.’
‘Eke’ was the Middle English word for “also” or “in addition.”
Since ‘ekename’ began with a vowel, people used ‘an’ before it.
Over time, 'an ekename' became 'a nickname.'
It was originally ‘ekename.’
‘Eke’ was the Middle English word for “also” or “in addition.”
Since ‘ekename’ began with a vowel, people used ‘an’ before it.
Over time, 'an ekename' became 'a nickname.'
November 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
‘Nickname’ is not ‘nick’ + ‘name.’
It was originally ‘ekename.’
‘Eke’ was the Middle English word for “also” or “in addition.”
Since ‘ekename’ began with a vowel, people used ‘an’ before it.
Over time, 'an ekename' became 'a nickname.'
It was originally ‘ekename.’
‘Eke’ was the Middle English word for “also” or “in addition.”
Since ‘ekename’ began with a vowel, people used ‘an’ before it.
Over time, 'an ekename' became 'a nickname.'
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
The Race and Stratification Working Group at @nber.org will have its annual meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026. Francisca Antman, Bocar Ba, Robynn Cox and I are organizing the program. December 11, 2025 is the deadline to submit your paper!
www.nber.org/conferences/...
www.nber.org/conferences/...
Economics of Race and Stratification, Spring 2026
www.nber.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Race and Stratification Working Group at @nber.org will have its annual meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026. Francisca Antman, Bocar Ba, Robynn Cox and I are organizing the program. December 11, 2025 is the deadline to submit your paper!
www.nber.org/conferences/...
www.nber.org/conferences/...
In yes, but not like that news: I wished my partner an uneven shift, and the... the accelerator was down, so no events to record
November 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
In yes, but not like that news: I wished my partner an uneven shift, and the... the accelerator was down, so no events to record
@jedkolko.bsky.social says it's not a small world it's your small socioeconomic stratum (or something to that effect), but still odd to have a college friend come up in a total different context in my feed
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
@jedkolko.bsky.social says it's not a small world it's your small socioeconomic stratum (or something to that effect), but still odd to have a college friend come up in a total different context in my feed
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
To be useful in my government-shutdown time off, I've worked on public-use analogs to tools that have been useful at work.
jrothbaum.github.io/survey_kit/ - a package for complex survey data, handling nonrespresentative samples in surveys/polls, properly handling missing data, etc.
jrothbaum.github.io/survey_kit/ - a package for complex survey data, handling nonrespresentative samples in surveys/polls, properly handling missing data, etc.
Survey-Kit
jrothbaum.github.io
November 7, 2025 at 7:37 PM
To be useful in my government-shutdown time off, I've worked on public-use analogs to tools that have been useful at work.
jrothbaum.github.io/survey_kit/ - a package for complex survey data, handling nonrespresentative samples in surveys/polls, properly handling missing data, etc.
jrothbaum.github.io/survey_kit/ - a package for complex survey data, handling nonrespresentative samples in surveys/polls, properly handling missing data, etc.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Dear Physicists and Physics fans,
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Dear Physicists and Physics fans,
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
I know that in the grand scheme of things there are far more important issues and pain this administration has caused, but as a scholar this is the kind of stuff that makes my blood boil. Someone trying to understand what happened a long time from now will still be furious about it too.
Every month for the last 77 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated Americans' unemployment rate
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
Here's the planned BLS data release schedule for Nov 2025.
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
November 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I know that in the grand scheme of things there are far more important issues and pain this administration has caused, but as a scholar this is the kind of stuff that makes my blood boil. Someone trying to understand what happened a long time from now will still be furious about it too.
I guess it's nice to be doing something exactly on trend
“It’s kind of a shocking number."
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I guess it's nice to be doing something exactly on trend
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
She’s right. The government started putting gender on passports in 1972 out of concern that men and women were getting too hard to tell apart, what with all the hippies with long hair and feminists in pants and whatnot.
Strike gender from IDs. Everywhere. It serves no purpose. @murray.senate.gov
Strike gender from IDs. Everywhere. It serves no purpose. @murray.senate.gov
@murray.senate.gov When the government is back in session, will you introduce a bill to take “sex/gender” off passports? There is no reason for it to be there, and, indeed, it’s only been there because of the misogyny of our government in 1972?
I’d appreciate a response.
I’d appreciate a response.
November 6, 2025 at 9:18 PM
She’s right. The government started putting gender on passports in 1972 out of concern that men and women were getting too hard to tell apart, what with all the hippies with long hair and feminists in pants and whatnot.
Strike gender from IDs. Everywhere. It serves no purpose. @murray.senate.gov
Strike gender from IDs. Everywhere. It serves no purpose. @murray.senate.gov
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Basically, in this picture of the 16000 cars at doger stadium, thirty of them will end up killng someone (about the amount in the area circled in t red
November 7, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Basically, in this picture of the 16000 cars at doger stadium, thirty of them will end up killng someone (about the amount in the area circled in t red
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Hi all, please spread the word and we hope everyone can make good use of this new data drop: cmfdata.org
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
Historical Census of Manufactures Microdata - Historical Census of Manufactures Microdata
CMFdata.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Hi all, please spread the word and we hope everyone can make good use of this new data drop: cmfdata.org
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
The full surviving establishment-level Census of Manufactures manuscripts and digitized data from 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880!
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
It is also worth keeping in mind that @brooklinenews.bsky.social’s reporting likely only happened because the proposed data sharing between CHR / Flock & Brookline Police came up at a public meeting. We need our local and state laws to catch up with technology & provide better privacy protections.
Our reporting at @brooklinenews.bsky.social was what first made the public aware of the plan to install controversial Flock license plate readers in South Brookline. Now the real estate company behind the plan is putting the installation on pause after community backlash
Breaking news: Chestnut Hill Realty is pausing its plan to install Flock license plate readers in South Brookline after feedback from the community. The company says no cameras have been installed and no data is being collected.
brookline.news/chestnut-hil...
brookline.news/chestnut-hil...
November 4, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It is also worth keeping in mind that @brooklinenews.bsky.social’s reporting likely only happened because the proposed data sharing between CHR / Flock & Brookline Police came up at a public meeting. We need our local and state laws to catch up with technology & provide better privacy protections.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Agencies are sending updated messages to federal workers saying excepted workers will be paid backpay — with no mention of those who have been furloughed www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Administration hints furloughed workers may not be paid after shutdown
Agencies are sending messages indicating that workers who are on the job will be paid when the government reopens — with no mention of those on furlough, despite a 2019 law protecting their wages.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Agencies are sending updated messages to federal workers saying excepted workers will be paid backpay — with no mention of those who have been furloughed www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Anyway: Forthcoming at J. Macro: Christina Farhart and I study the partisan divide in inflation expectations using data from the 2022 Cooperative Election Study. We find that, conditional on perceived past inflation and the long-run inflation target, partisans who have higher political knowledge...
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Anyway: Forthcoming at J. Macro: Christina Farhart and I study the partisan divide in inflation expectations using data from the 2022 Cooperative Election Study. We find that, conditional on perceived past inflation and the long-run inflation target, partisans who have higher political knowledge...
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Cool new working paper on why and how cable news threw gasoline on the culture war fire. The culture war isn't optimal for electoral candidates, but it's optimal for cable news companies.
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
November 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Cool new working paper on why and how cable news threw gasoline on the culture war fire. The culture war isn't optimal for electoral candidates, but it's optimal for cable news companies.
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
ungated: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/27v4x...
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Serfdom in early modern Russia wasn’t inevitable—it was driven by landholding soldiers on the southern frontier. To defend against nomads, the state tied peasants to land, cementing coercive labor.
New paper by @andreamatranga.bsky.social & @timurnatkhov.bsky.social :
www.restud.com/all-along-th...
New paper by @andreamatranga.bsky.social & @timurnatkhov.bsky.social :
www.restud.com/all-along-th...
November 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Serfdom in early modern Russia wasn’t inevitable—it was driven by landholding soldiers on the southern frontier. To defend against nomads, the state tied peasants to land, cementing coercive labor.
New paper by @andreamatranga.bsky.social & @timurnatkhov.bsky.social :
www.restud.com/all-along-th...
New paper by @andreamatranga.bsky.social & @timurnatkhov.bsky.social :
www.restud.com/all-along-th...
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Big Thread, Big Importance. Read. Forward. Discuss.
Multi-Year funding analysis, a 🧵
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
November 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Big Thread, Big Importance. Read. Forward. Discuss.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Academics’ and planners’ single-minded focus on making *brand new* homes affordable to the poorest people has been a disaster for poor people’s’ ability to afford housing.
Real grim stuff from a nonprofit staff attorney and former UCSD urban studies lecturer
October 31, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Academics’ and planners’ single-minded focus on making *brand new* homes affordable to the poorest people has been a disaster for poor people’s’ ability to afford housing.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
Why should you 🫵🏿 care about SNAP? SNAP recipients saw:
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Why should you 🫵🏿 care about SNAP? SNAP recipients saw:
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
arXiv will no longer accept review articles and position papers unless they have been accepted at a journal or a conference and complete successful peer review.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
Attention Authors: Updated Practice for Review Articles and Position Papers in arXiv CS Category – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
arXiv will no longer accept review articles and position papers unless they have been accepted at a journal or a conference and complete successful peer review.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
The #arXiv computer science category is trying to cut down on AI slop spamming the system. They no longer accept un-published (journal or conference) review papers... Other categories may follow (depending on decisions by the moderators). ⚛️🧪☄️
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
Attention Authors: Updated Practice for Review Articles and Position Papers in arXiv CS Category – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The #arXiv computer science category is trying to cut down on AI slop spamming the system. They no longer accept un-published (journal or conference) review papers... Other categories may follow (depending on decisions by the moderators). ⚛️🧪☄️
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
As an oblivious white person, I continue to be surprised by the degree that some white people find a black or brown person in a position of power terrifying.
I know enough to know I shouldn't be surprised anymore, and remind myself of the mess we are in because of it.
But I keep being surprised
I know enough to know I shouldn't be surprised anymore, and remind myself of the mess we are in because of it.
But I keep being surprised
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
As an oblivious white person, I continue to be surprised by the degree that some white people find a black or brown person in a position of power terrifying.
I know enough to know I shouldn't be surprised anymore, and remind myself of the mess we are in because of it.
But I keep being surprised
I know enough to know I shouldn't be surprised anymore, and remind myself of the mess we are in because of it.
But I keep being surprised
Reposted by Bitsy Perlman
The Federal minimum wage was established in 1938.
It was in effect for about 85 years.
It has now, for better or worse, been effectively abolished.
It was in effect for about 85 years.
It has now, for better or worse, been effectively abolished.
October 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The Federal minimum wage was established in 1938.
It was in effect for about 85 years.
It has now, for better or worse, been effectively abolished.
It was in effect for about 85 years.
It has now, for better or worse, been effectively abolished.