Ken Acks
@costbenefitkmaacks.bsky.social
Supporting Rational Evaluation over Preconception by Facilitating Comprehensive Quantification of Costs and Benefits www.costbenefitgroup.com envirovaluation.org. Adjunct Prof NYU Schack Institute for Real Estate
Reposted by Ken Acks
Building on the 2018 and 2022 editions, the #WIR2026 draws on the contributions of over 200 scholars from all over the world affiliated with the World Inequality Lab and contributing to the World Inequality Database wid.world - the largest database on the historical evolution of global inequality.
Home - WID - World Inequality Database
Home The source for global inequality data. Open access, high quality wealth and income inequality data developed by an international academic consortium.
wid.world
December 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Ken Acks
Today, we are publishing our World Inequality Report, which reviews the most recent #inequalitydata and exposes the magnitude of #inequality across time, space and all its dimensions.
👇Share this thread, share the report!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67u...
👇Share this thread, share the report!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67u...
World Inequality Report 2026
YouTube video by World Inequality Lab
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Today, we are publishing our World Inequality Report, which reviews the most recent #inequalitydata and exposes the magnitude of #inequality across time, space and all its dimensions.
👇Share this thread, share the report!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67u...
👇Share this thread, share the report!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67u...
Reposted by Ken Acks
ICE told us it had no body camera footage from Chicago in response to our FOIA — even though a federal judge ordered them to wear cameras and turn them on.
So who is ICE lying to? Us, or the judge?
So who is ICE lying to? Us, or the judge?
ICE Tells Watchdog It Has No Videos to Release of Chicago Operations
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
ICE told us it had no body camera footage from Chicago in response to our FOIA — even though a federal judge ordered them to wear cameras and turn them on.
So who is ICE lying to? Us, or the judge?
So who is ICE lying to? Us, or the judge?
Reposted by Ken Acks
SCOOP: The Trump administration may revoke the visas of critics of Elon Musk's Twitter.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
SCOOP: Trump Admin Is Preparing to Revoke Visas of Critics of Elon Musk’s Twitter
Trump officials are considering revoking the visas of former European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton and Imran Ahmed, of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
zeteo.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
SCOOP: The Trump administration may revoke the visas of critics of Elon Musk's Twitter.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
Reposted by Ken Acks
David Ellison appears to be mortified that CBS/60 Minutes is “going rogue” by covering the news and by keeping him “in the dark” about a segment critical of Trump.
Because Ellison doesn’t realize that’s how it’s supposed to work.
nypost.com/2025/12/10/m...
Because Ellison doesn’t realize that’s how it’s supposed to work.
nypost.com/2025/12/10/m...
December 11, 2025 at 4:36 AM
David Ellison appears to be mortified that CBS/60 Minutes is “going rogue” by covering the news and by keeping him “in the dark” about a segment critical of Trump.
Because Ellison doesn’t realize that’s how it’s supposed to work.
nypost.com/2025/12/10/m...
Because Ellison doesn’t realize that’s how it’s supposed to work.
nypost.com/2025/12/10/m...
Reposted by Ken Acks
This is how the economy works now. You kiss the ass of the top guy, he throws you favors. There is no ideology here, it's just mafia rules, the oldest rules in the book.
random farmer to Trump on what his child said to him: "He said, 'Daddy, I don't want Santa Claus to come to our house for Christmas, I want President Trump.' I think you brought Christmas to farmers with this bridge payment."
December 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This is how the economy works now. You kiss the ass of the top guy, he throws you favors. There is no ideology here, it's just mafia rules, the oldest rules in the book.
Reposted by Ken Acks
i asked chat gpt to fact check an article for me
December 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM
i asked chat gpt to fact check an article for me
Reposted by Ken Acks
On Wednesday, I'm talking with @samuel-bagg.bsky.social about the post linked below -- about our current epistemic crisis, its roots & possible remedies.
Got any questions?
Got any questions?
The Problem is Epistemic. The Solution is Not. | Blog of the APA
Doubts about the wisdom of the masses are as old as philosophy itself. Yet interest in democracy’s “epistemic” merits has surged in the last decade—and it is no mystery why. Democracy is collapsing ar...
blog.apaonline.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
On Wednesday, I'm talking with @samuel-bagg.bsky.social about the post linked below -- about our current epistemic crisis, its roots & possible remedies.
Got any questions?
Got any questions?
Reposted by Ken Acks
This report should have panicked everyone on the left into concerted, coordinated effort to address the information asymmetry. But as far as I can tell it just came & went & Dems are still in "buy TV ads about affordability" mode.
The right dominates the online media ecosystem, seeping into sports, comedy, and other supposedly nonpolitical spaces
As Americans increasingly get their news from online shows and streamers, the influence of this media ecosystem becomes more prominent — and Media Matters has found that the most popular of this conte...
www.mediamatters.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:02 AM
This report should have panicked everyone on the left into concerted, coordinated effort to address the information asymmetry. But as far as I can tell it just came & went & Dems are still in "buy TV ads about affordability" mode.
Reposted by Ken Acks
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "I sent those deaths threats directly to him in a text message & informed him of what his name calling & words were doing - it was a direct assassination threat on my son. And he was extremely - I won't repeat what he said - but it was extremely unkind. No sympathy. No care"
December 9, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "I sent those deaths threats directly to him in a text message & informed him of what his name calling & words were doing - it was a direct assassination threat on my son. And he was extremely - I won't repeat what he said - but it was extremely unkind. No sympathy. No care"
Reposted by Ken Acks
That IS a very good episode. I just re-listened. Yeah. Very basic thought. Social epistemology -> doxastic authority (what beliefs spread as warranted) is downstream from political rhetoric. On the right, that's rhetoric of reaction. So: epistemology of reaction. What do get you when get PURE that?
Reading around for a pod I'm recording tomorrow I came across this classic episode of @chrislhayes.bsky.social's pod where we dug into America's epistemic crisis. Tons of gems in here. And boy has everything on this front gotten *much* worse since 2018...
David Roberts explains how America's information crisis has impacted conservatism
Chris Hayes speaks with journalist David Roberts about how the erosion of trust and manipulation of information has impacted the conservative movement.
www.nbcnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM
That IS a very good episode. I just re-listened. Yeah. Very basic thought. Social epistemology -> doxastic authority (what beliefs spread as warranted) is downstream from political rhetoric. On the right, that's rhetoric of reaction. So: epistemology of reaction. What do get you when get PURE that?
Reposted by Ken Acks
Climate action has local co-benefits! As explored in this new report that canvases 6 case studies from across the world.
climatehealth.gwu.edu/sites/g/file...
climatehealth.gwu.edu/sites/g/file...
climatehealth.gwu.edu
December 9, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Climate action has local co-benefits! As explored in this new report that canvases 6 case studies from across the world.
climatehealth.gwu.edu/sites/g/file...
climatehealth.gwu.edu/sites/g/file...
Reposted by Ken Acks
A DOJ memo to federal prisons explicitly instructs them to stop enforcing anti-rape laws against transgender & intersex prisoners.
We are governed by monsters.
We are governed by monsters.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A DOJ memo to federal prisons explicitly instructs them to stop enforcing anti-rape laws against transgender & intersex prisoners.
We are governed by monsters.
We are governed by monsters.
Reposted by Ken Acks
A new report on civic freedoms concludes that "the US is no longer a functional democracy."
Congrats everyone. And a *special* congrats to the Harpers letter signatories, free-speech warriors, and "anti-woke" crusaders. You saved us from woke! Great work.
Congrats everyone. And a *special* congrats to the Harpers letter signatories, free-speech warriors, and "anti-woke" crusaders. You saved us from woke! Great work.
🇺🇸 America Just Got Downgraded: “The United States Is No Longer a Functional Democracy” — And Trump’s America Deserves Every Inch of It
When the world stops seeing you as a democracy, maybe stop acting like a dictatorship.
deanblundell.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A new report on civic freedoms concludes that "the US is no longer a functional democracy."
Congrats everyone. And a *special* congrats to the Harpers letter signatories, free-speech warriors, and "anti-woke" crusaders. You saved us from woke! Great work.
Congrats everyone. And a *special* congrats to the Harpers letter signatories, free-speech warriors, and "anti-woke" crusaders. You saved us from woke! Great work.
Reposted by Ken Acks
"Trump is an outright racist and he appeals to 10s of millions of US citizens who are also outright racists" is both fundamentally, obviously true ... and something that mainstream journalism has decided is impermissible to say.
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"Trump is an outright racist and he appeals to 10s of millions of US citizens who are also outright racists" is both fundamentally, obviously true ... and something that mainstream journalism has decided is impermissible to say.
Reposted by Ken Acks
EPA is wiping mentions of human-caused climate change from its website www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
The EPA is wiping mention of human-caused climate change from its website
Some pages have been tweaked to emphasize ‘natural forces’; others have been deleted entirely.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
EPA is wiping mentions of human-caused climate change from its website www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Ken Acks
“I considered transferring out of U.T., because if my professors are unable to teach me, and I’m not able to have candid conversations to get a proper education, what am I here for?” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
The Conservative Overhaul of the University of Texas Is Underway
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
“I considered transferring out of U.T., because if my professors are unable to teach me, and I’m not able to have candid conversations to get a proper education, what am I here for?” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
Reposted by Ken Acks
In keeping w “Kavanaugh Stops,” let’s call these Kennedy Pox.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
South Carolina measles outbreak is 'accelerating,' driving hundreds into quarantine
Some students who remain unvaccinated are now in a second 21-day quarantine since the beginning of the school year.
nbcnews.to
December 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
In keeping w “Kavanaugh Stops,” let’s call these Kennedy Pox.
Reposted by Ken Acks
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
South Carolina measles outbreak is 'accelerating,' driving hundreds into quarantine
Some students who remain unvaccinated are now in a second 21-day quarantine since the beginning of the school year.
nbcnews.to
December 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
Reposted by Ken Acks
Reposted by Ken Acks
We should name each preventable harm encouraged or brought back by some deranged Trump official after that person.
December 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
We should name each preventable harm encouraged or brought back by some deranged Trump official after that person.
Reposted by Ken Acks
SCOTUS found Biden didn’t have authority as President to cut student loans without Congress and yet they find Trump has the authority to cut whole government and eliminate entire agencies unilaterally. This is the most compromised, partisan and unethical Supreme Court in history.
December 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
SCOTUS found Biden didn’t have authority as President to cut student loans without Congress and yet they find Trump has the authority to cut whole government and eliminate entire agencies unilaterally. This is the most compromised, partisan and unethical Supreme Court in history.
Reposted by Ken Acks
One popular topic of scholarship in the post-MAGA-era (whenever that may be) will be which people/programs killed the most people.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
South Carolina measles outbreak is 'accelerating,' driving hundreds into quarantine
Some students who remain unvaccinated are now in a second 21-day quarantine since the beginning of the school year.
nbcnews.to
December 11, 2025 at 2:07 AM
One popular topic of scholarship in the post-MAGA-era (whenever that may be) will be which people/programs killed the most people.
Reposted by Ken Acks
As we look ahead to the 2026 midterms, "for the first time in American history, the federal government is actively waging an effort to undermine the elections," @mawaldman.bsky.social tells @davidfrum.bsky.social:
How Trump’s Plan to Steal the 2026 Elections Could Fail | The David Frum Show
YouTube video by The Atlantic
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
As we look ahead to the 2026 midterms, "for the first time in American history, the federal government is actively waging an effort to undermine the elections," @mawaldman.bsky.social tells @davidfrum.bsky.social:
Trump Says That You Are the Problem by Paul Krugman open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug... "Everything is perfect. Why aren’t you grateful?"
Trump Says That You Are the Problem
Everything is perfect. Why aren’t you grateful?
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Trump Says That You Are the Problem by Paul Krugman open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug... "Everything is perfect. Why aren’t you grateful?"