Joey Politano🏳️🌈
@josephpolitano.bsky.social
Writing a data-driven newsletter about economics @ apricitas.io
Nuance? In this Economy
Full Employment Stan, Brazilian Coffee Tariff Victim |
Nuance? In this Economy
Full Employment Stan, Brazilian Coffee Tariff Victim |
Tariffs as a % of GDP are at the highest level in more than 100 years amidst Trump's trade war—even though tariff rates are still lower than in the 1930s, they have a much higher impact because trade volumes are much larger than in the past
December 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Tariffs as a % of GDP are at the highest level in more than 100 years amidst Trump's trade war—even though tariff rates are still lower than in the 1930s, they have a much higher impact because trade volumes are much larger than in the past
A case where the quote is even worse in context than out of context. JD is scaremongering about “Islamists” winning elections in the UK/France and then somehow militarily threatening the US. Saying we should hold Europeans and Africans to different moral standards but anti-wokely.
December 27, 2025 at 3:18 AM
A case where the quote is even worse in context than out of context. JD is scaremongering about “Islamists” winning elections in the UK/France and then somehow militarily threatening the US. Saying we should hold Europeans and Africans to different moral standards but anti-wokely.
Merry Christmas from my friends’ sheep
December 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Merry Christmas from my friends’ sheep
With US GDP released today (4.3% annualized), we now have Q3 growth data for every G7 country
Here's each country's cumulative increase in real GDP, since just before the pandemic:
🇺🇸 +15.3%
🇨🇦 +11.3%
🇮🇹 +6.3%
🇬🇧 +5.3%
🇫🇷 +5.2%
🇯🇵 +1.0%
🇩🇪 -0.2%
Here's each country's cumulative increase in real GDP, since just before the pandemic:
🇺🇸 +15.3%
🇨🇦 +11.3%
🇮🇹 +6.3%
🇬🇧 +5.3%
🇫🇷 +5.2%
🇯🇵 +1.0%
🇩🇪 -0.2%
December 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
With US GDP released today (4.3% annualized), we now have Q3 growth data for every G7 country
Here's each country's cumulative increase in real GDP, since just before the pandemic:
🇺🇸 +15.3%
🇨🇦 +11.3%
🇮🇹 +6.3%
🇬🇧 +5.3%
🇫🇷 +5.2%
🇯🇵 +1.0%
🇩🇪 -0.2%
Here's each country's cumulative increase in real GDP, since just before the pandemic:
🇺🇸 +15.3%
🇨🇦 +11.3%
🇮🇹 +6.3%
🇬🇧 +5.3%
🇫🇷 +5.2%
🇯🇵 +1.0%
🇩🇪 -0.2%
Official data is in today, and US solar continues to grow rapidly, with generation up 21% compared to last year!
December 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Official data is in today, and US solar continues to grow rapidly, with generation up 21% compared to last year!
Real fixed investment in US factories inched down further in data released today as CHIPS ACT projects complete & tariffs weigh on the manufacturing industry.
Construction activity is now down more than 8% from the mid-2024 record highs
Construction activity is now down more than 8% from the mid-2024 record highs
December 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Real fixed investment in US factories inched down further in data released today as CHIPS ACT projects complete & tariffs weigh on the manufacturing industry.
Construction activity is now down more than 8% from the mid-2024 record highs
Construction activity is now down more than 8% from the mid-2024 record highs
Real fixed investment in wind, solar, & other "alternative" electricity sources inched up to another record high in GDP data released today, but growth has slowed down significantly over the last year
December 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Real fixed investment in wind, solar, & other "alternative" electricity sources inched up to another record high in GDP data released today, but growth has slowed down significantly over the last year
Yep, the AI boom is massive, but if you think all recent US economic growth is downstream of data centers, think again—total investment in computers & software contributed roughly 0.3% to the 4.3% GDP growth in Q3
December 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Yep, the AI boom is massive, but if you think all recent US economic growth is downstream of data centers, think again—total investment in computers & software contributed roughly 0.3% to the 4.3% GDP growth in Q3
Canadian GDP fell 0.3% in October data just released this morning, losing all gains from the prior 3 months
Overall economic output is now roughly at the same place it was at the beginning of this year
Overall economic output is now roughly at the same place it was at the beginning of this year
December 23, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Canadian GDP fell 0.3% in October data just released this morning, losing all gains from the prior 3 months
Overall economic output is now roughly at the same place it was at the beginning of this year
Overall economic output is now roughly at the same place it was at the beginning of this year
US investment in computers continues to skyrocket to record highs amidst the AI boom—imports of computers also rose to new record highs as they remain almost entirely exempt from tariffs
Real fixed investment in computers now is nearly $270B annualized
Real fixed investment in computers now is nearly $270B annualized
December 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
US investment in computers continues to skyrocket to record highs amidst the AI boom—imports of computers also rose to new record highs as they remain almost entirely exempt from tariffs
Real fixed investment in computers now is nearly $270B annualized
Real fixed investment in computers now is nearly $270B annualized
NEW: US Real GDP came in at a 4.3% annualized growth rate in Q3 2025. Consumption & government output increased, investment declined slightly (mostly due to inventory drawdowns), & the trade deficit shrank
Nominal GDP growth (unadjusted for inflation) came in at 8.2% annualized
Nominal GDP growth (unadjusted for inflation) came in at 8.2% annualized
December 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
NEW: US Real GDP came in at a 4.3% annualized growth rate in Q3 2025. Consumption & government output increased, investment declined slightly (mostly due to inventory drawdowns), & the trade deficit shrank
Nominal GDP growth (unadjusted for inflation) came in at 8.2% annualized
Nominal GDP growth (unadjusted for inflation) came in at 8.2% annualized
Addison highlights these types of comments from American conservatives, and I’ve seen this all the time and always think it’s especially deranged. America has the lowest density, most “single-family” housing stock of basically any modern nation and it’s still not enough for these people!
December 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Addison highlights these types of comments from American conservatives, and I’ve seen this all the time and always think it’s especially deranged. America has the lowest density, most “single-family” housing stock of basically any modern nation and it’s still not enough for these people!
it is 2022. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2023. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2024. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2025. I am watching...
it is 2023. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2024. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2025. I am watching...
December 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
it is 2022. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2023. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2024. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2025. I am watching...
it is 2023. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2024. I am watching people yell about the economic data & the vibecession discourse
it is 2025. I am watching...
most well thought out republican healthcare plan
TRUMP TO SUMMON HEALTH INSURERS TO ASK FOR PREMIUM CUTS - NYP
December 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
most well thought out republican healthcare plan
Just finished Talia Lakshmi Kolluri's "What We Fed to the Manticore," an exceptional short story collection from the perspectives of animals as they interact with the horror & beauty of the human world. I picked this one up years ago and am so glad I finally read it
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Joey Politano's review of What We Fed to the Manticore
5/5: What We Fed to the Manticore is an exceptional short story collection featuring the perspectives of animals as they interact with the horror and beauty of the human world. Talia Lakshmi Kolluri h...
www.goodreads.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Just finished Talia Lakshmi Kolluri's "What We Fed to the Manticore," an exceptional short story collection from the perspectives of animals as they interact with the horror & beauty of the human world. I picked this one up years ago and am so glad I finally read it
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I actually think the internet would be better if you could send a small electric shock to 1 commenter per day. Here’s a guy commenting **on my article showing California is losing tech jobs** that maybe it’s not actually losing tech jobs **BECAUSE HE DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE 2ND,4TH OR 5TH CHART”
December 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I actually think the internet would be better if you could send a small electric shock to 1 commenter per day. Here’s a guy commenting **on my article showing California is losing tech jobs** that maybe it’s not actually losing tech jobs **BECAUSE HE DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE 2ND,4TH OR 5TH CHART”
it is genuinely hilarious when you look at the consumer sentiment questions about media coverage, where the median answer to "have you heard news about the government's economic policies?" is now "yes, and I want to punch everyone responsible"
December 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
it is genuinely hilarious when you look at the consumer sentiment questions about media coverage, where the median answer to "have you heard news about the government's economic policies?" is now "yes, and I want to punch everyone responsible"
surely another 50% tariff on Brazil will fix this
UMich consumer sentiment (current conditions) at 50.4 is a new all-time low -- going back to data from the 1970s.
U.S MICHIGAN CONSUMER SENTIMENT (DEC) ACTUAL: 52.9 VS 53.3 PREVIOUS; EST 53.5
December 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
surely another 50% tariff on Brazil will fix this
Christmas book haul: I contain multitudes edition
December 19, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Christmas book haul: I contain multitudes edition
Just finished two Japanese novels—first was Seichō Matsumoto's Tokyo Express, a great little detective novel told almost entirely as a puzzle surrounding various Japanese train & ferry timetables. I felt like the perfect target audience for this one lol
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Joey Politano's review of Tokyo Express
4/5: "Yet I found this timetable quite absorbing—certainly far more so than any second-rate novel" Seichō Matsumoto's Tokyo Express is a short and punchy detective novel about a supposed lovers' suic...
www.goodreads.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Just finished two Japanese novels—first was Seichō Matsumoto's Tokyo Express, a great little detective novel told almost entirely as a puzzle surrounding various Japanese train & ferry timetables. I felt like the perfect target audience for this one lol
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
US coffee bean prices continue to hit new highs in inflation data released today, up 19% over the last year and 47% since pre-COVID
December 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
US coffee bean prices continue to hit new highs in inflation data released today, up 19% over the last year and 47% since pre-COVID
US electricity prices continue to rise in inflation data released today, up 41% since 2020 and 7% since this time last year
December 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
US electricity prices continue to rise in inflation data released today, up 41% since 2020 and 7% since this time last year
NEW:
CPI inflation fell to 2.7% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
Core CPI inflation fell to 2.6% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
CPI inflation fell to 2.7% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
Core CPI inflation fell to 2.6% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
December 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW:
CPI inflation fell to 2.7% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
Core CPI inflation fell to 2.6% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
CPI inflation fell to 2.7% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
Core CPI inflation fell to 2.6% year-on-year, increasing 0.2% over the last two months
funniest part of the Vivek op-ed in NYT today is him just randomly advocating for super baby bonds. plz get this Andrew Yang ahh policy proposal out of here. People will do anything but give low-income people money to spend at the time they most need it (when young children)
December 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
funniest part of the Vivek op-ed in NYT today is him just randomly advocating for super baby bonds. plz get this Andrew Yang ahh policy proposal out of here. People will do anything but give low-income people money to spend at the time they most need it (when young children)