Gray Kimbrough
@graykimbrough.bsky.social
Economist, UNCG PhD, "serial millennial myth debunker," labor, housing and time use researcher, AU adjunct prof. Views are my own and not any employer's.
Reposted by Gray Kimbrough
Our grasp on reality is slipping. The response rate to the survey behind the unemployment rate (and the rest of the household survey) is now lower than during the pandemic.
The decline in response rates during the first year of the Trump Admin 2.0 was larger than at any time outside the pandemic.
The decline in response rates during the first year of the Trump Admin 2.0 was larger than at any time outside the pandemic.
February 16, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Our grasp on reality is slipping. The response rate to the survey behind the unemployment rate (and the rest of the household survey) is now lower than during the pandemic.
The decline in response rates during the first year of the Trump Admin 2.0 was larger than at any time outside the pandemic.
The decline in response rates during the first year of the Trump Admin 2.0 was larger than at any time outside the pandemic.
I'm over here ruining the pairs figure skating by doing the math from the opening graphics and noting how many pairs formed when the man was an adult and the woman was not 18.
February 16, 2026 at 10:57 PM
I'm over here ruining the pairs figure skating by doing the math from the opening graphics and noting how many pairs formed when the man was an adult and the woman was not 18.
It seems like a pretty basic rule that no training should suggest that employees speaking to customers say that suicide is "one option." www.govexec.com/management/2...
February 14, 2026 at 4:58 PM
It seems like a pretty basic rule that no training should suggest that employees speaking to customers say that suicide is "one option." www.govexec.com/management/2...
I needed a marriage certificate from DC and made a point to collect it in person because the Marriage Bureau is such a lovely place to stop by.
The Marriage Bureau is the happiest place in New York. 10/10 would recommend
Everyone in the world comes to get married at the NYC Marriage Bureau. Last week, the Mayor stopped by to officiate a few of those ceremonies.
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
February 14, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I needed a marriage certificate from DC and made a point to collect it in person because the Marriage Bureau is such a lovely place to stop by.
Is there already a Discourse around how Bad Bunny did a Turn Down For What, or do I need to start one?
February 9, 2026 at 1:44 AM
Is there already a Discourse around how Bad Bunny did a Turn Down For What, or do I need to start one?
I did not expect to be so affected by a throwaway illustration of a toxic relationship as a cactus that keeps pricking you when you try to reach out to it, but here we are.
a cartoon of a woman saying " i 'm glad that 's over with "
ALT: a cartoon of a woman saying " i 'm glad that 's over with "
media.tenor.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:50 PM
I did not expect to be so affected by a throwaway illustration of a toxic relationship as a cactus that keeps pricking you when you try to reach out to it, but here we are.
Top tier public testimony here, and a stark reminder that we are all responsible for what is done in our names.
Highlighting the speaker who stood in front of the Surprise mayor and told him to consider what the Mayor of Ohrdruf must’ve thought before he died by suicide: “He might have thought ‘how is this my fault I had no jurisdiction over this’ maybe he said ‘this site was not subject to local zoning.’”
February 4, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Top tier public testimony here, and a stark reminder that we are all responsible for what is done in our names.
Taking advantage of a rare opportunity to work from home with this kitten in my lap.
January 27, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Taking advantage of a rare opportunity to work from home with this kitten in my lap.
Reposted by Gray Kimbrough
What's happening in Minnesota is one reason the Reconstruction Amendments banned insurrectionists from holding office. Unfortunately, the originalists on the Supreme Court interpreted the plain language of the amendment to mean its opposite.
January 24, 2026 at 11:31 PM
What's happening in Minnesota is one reason the Reconstruction Amendments banned insurrectionists from holding office. Unfortunately, the originalists on the Supreme Court interpreted the plain language of the amendment to mean its opposite.
I recently learned that swaddling cloths for cats exist. This one definitely makes it easier to clip the kitten's nails!
January 22, 2026 at 1:58 AM
I recently learned that swaddling cloths for cats exist. This one definitely makes it easier to clip the kitten's nails!
Reposted by Gray Kimbrough
If I'm being honest, the collapse of the post-Cold War international order and the violent occupation of an American city are making it difficult for me to concentrate on housing policy.
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM
If I'm being honest, the collapse of the post-Cold War international order and the violent occupation of an American city are making it difficult for me to concentrate on housing policy.
This adorable kitten is glad that we're back from our weekend trip.
January 20, 2026 at 2:32 AM
This adorable kitten is glad that we're back from our weekend trip.
I'm not so sure about that AI overview.
January 19, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I'm not so sure about that AI overview.
Without more housing supply, every proposal to help people afford housing will push up the cost of housing. This goes for subsidies, letting people tap retirement funds, you name it.
What we need are serious efforts to allow more housing construction.
What we need are serious efforts to allow more housing construction.
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
Trump Plan Would Let Americans Use 401(k)s for Down Payments on Homes, Official Says
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
on.wsj.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Without more housing supply, every proposal to help people afford housing will push up the cost of housing. This goes for subsidies, letting people tap retirement funds, you name it.
What we need are serious efforts to allow more housing construction.
What we need are serious efforts to allow more housing construction.
I'm riding on a NextGen Acela and my seat is broken.
On the plus side, the trays are dramatically improved. But the decision to get rid of overhead bins (in favor of open shelves) seems odd. If they were going to emulate European trains, they could have added the current train speed to displays.
On the plus side, the trays are dramatically improved. But the decision to get rid of overhead bins (in favor of open shelves) seems odd. If they were going to emulate European trains, they could have added the current train speed to displays.
January 16, 2026 at 8:53 PM
I'm riding on a NextGen Acela and my seat is broken.
On the plus side, the trays are dramatically improved. But the decision to get rid of overhead bins (in favor of open shelves) seems odd. If they were going to emulate European trains, they could have added the current train speed to displays.
On the plus side, the trays are dramatically improved. But the decision to get rid of overhead bins (in favor of open shelves) seems odd. If they were going to emulate European trains, they could have added the current train speed to displays.
I registered for one summer camp in December because the price went up on December 15. For sessions in July.
Meanwhile, others still haven't announced when registration will open...
Meanwhile, others still haven't announced when registration will open...
As your Friendly Neighborhood Parent Who Overthinks Summer Camp Season, it's my duty to remind you all that the hard-to-get camps have sign-up days in January. The hour is upon us. Solstice has passed and it is time to consider the coming of Summer.
January 16, 2026 at 2:22 PM
I registered for one summer camp in December because the price went up on December 15. For sessions in July.
Meanwhile, others still haven't announced when registration will open...
Meanwhile, others still haven't announced when registration will open...
This kitten says to curl up where you're comfortable and take some breaths tonight
January 13, 2026 at 1:26 AM
This kitten says to curl up where you're comfortable and take some breaths tonight
I just texted someone an excerpt from my color-coded spreadsheet of summer camps, which reminds me that maybe non-parents don't realize that many working parents have to create color-coded spreadsheets of summer camps as they piece together coverage across the entire summer.
January 12, 2026 at 4:44 PM
I just texted someone an excerpt from my color-coded spreadsheet of summer camps, which reminds me that maybe non-parents don't realize that many working parents have to create color-coded spreadsheets of summer camps as they piece together coverage across the entire summer.
I gave my daughter Maus and she stayed up late last night reading it. This week we'll have to have a talk about how scary it is that secret police raids on homes are happening in our country, right now.
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I gave my daughter Maus and she stayed up late last night reading it. This week we'll have to have a talk about how scary it is that secret police raids on homes are happening in our country, right now.
Spotify reminds me that this is not the first Monday morning in recent times when I have needed to blast face-melting riffs to prepare myself.
January 12, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Spotify reminds me that this is not the first Monday morning in recent times when I have needed to blast face-melting riffs to prepare myself.
The federal government has a few levers that can potentially affect the inflation rate, at least on the margins. Any effects are going to take time to filter through to price levels.
Saying that the only thing you'll do is reduce inflation (your only principle stand!) is a huge tactical mistake.
Saying that the only thing you'll do is reduce inflation (your only principle stand!) is a huge tactical mistake.
This Establishment Dem framing makes it impossible to stay in power for long.
If you ignore every issue except inflation, then when you regain power and fail to tame inflation, you'll be voted out.
Instead, have other meaningful principles you can emphasize even when not instantly taming prices.
If you ignore every issue except inflation, then when you regain power and fail to tame inflation, you'll be voted out.
Instead, have other meaningful principles you can emphasize even when not instantly taming prices.
Democrats are focused on lowering costs for Americans, while Donald Trump and Republicans are spending all of their time on foreign wars, on ballrooms, and on private jets.
How is this America first?
How is this America first?
January 10, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The federal government has a few levers that can potentially affect the inflation rate, at least on the margins. Any effects are going to take time to filter through to price levels.
Saying that the only thing you'll do is reduce inflation (your only principle stand!) is a huge tactical mistake.
Saying that the only thing you'll do is reduce inflation (your only principle stand!) is a huge tactical mistake.