Tim Hirschel-Burns
@timhirschelburns.bsky.social
Working at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center for a global economy that advances development and addresses climate change. Past: Oxfam, Yale Law, Benin. Views my own. https://timhirschelburns.substack.com/
And likewise, how poor the present is.
Most people in the world live on under $4,000 per year
(Even when adjusting for differences in countries’ costs of living)
Most people in the world live on under $4,000 per year
(Even when adjusting for differences in countries’ costs of living)
It is genuinely hard for most people to grasp how poor the past was.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
And likewise, how poor the present is.
Most people in the world live on under $4,000 per year
(Even when adjusting for differences in countries’ costs of living)
Most people in the world live on under $4,000 per year
(Even when adjusting for differences in countries’ costs of living)
Oxfam has never taken US government funding.
This is not an organization looking out for its own interests—it is a group showing us in real time how people have been stripped of lifesaving essentials to fund tax cuts for the super-rich
This is not an organization looking out for its own interests—it is a group showing us in real time how people have been stripped of lifesaving essentials to fund tax cuts for the super-rich
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Oxfam has never taken US government funding.
This is not an organization looking out for its own interests—it is a group showing us in real time how people have been stripped of lifesaving essentials to fund tax cuts for the super-rich
This is not an organization looking out for its own interests—it is a group showing us in real time how people have been stripped of lifesaving essentials to fund tax cuts for the super-rich
On January 19, USAID was in line for bad but limited cuts. Project 2025 only called for cutting USAID back to 2019 funding levels.
Then Elon Musk came in and three weeks later USAID was functionally eliminated. Millions of people will die and hundreds of thousands already have, mostly children
Then Elon Musk came in and three weeks later USAID was functionally eliminated. Millions of people will die and hundreds of thousands already have, mostly children
November 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
On January 19, USAID was in line for bad but limited cuts. Project 2025 only called for cutting USAID back to 2019 funding levels.
Then Elon Musk came in and three weeks later USAID was functionally eliminated. Millions of people will die and hundreds of thousands already have, mostly children
Then Elon Musk came in and three weeks later USAID was functionally eliminated. Millions of people will die and hundreds of thousands already have, mostly children
A big reason I've mostly stopped using Twitter is that everything needs to be a fight.
It doesn't matter if something is interesting or important. It just needs to be part of some 6-hour news cycle that will antagonize some other micro-community and get your micro-team to cheer
It doesn't matter if something is interesting or important. It just needs to be part of some 6-hour news cycle that will antagonize some other micro-community and get your micro-team to cheer
November 7, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A big reason I've mostly stopped using Twitter is that everything needs to be a fight.
It doesn't matter if something is interesting or important. It just needs to be part of some 6-hour news cycle that will antagonize some other micro-community and get your micro-team to cheer
It doesn't matter if something is interesting or important. It just needs to be part of some 6-hour news cycle that will antagonize some other micro-community and get your micro-team to cheer
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
Today @TheNewYorker released our short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” online.
It traces the ongoing effects of the sudden shutdown of US foreign aid through the story of one mother in Kenya as she seeks to save her daughter from sickness and starvation. 🎥 1/ www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
It traces the ongoing effects of the sudden shutdown of US foreign aid through the story of one mother in Kenya as she seeks to save her daughter from sickness and starvation. 🎥 1/ www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Today @TheNewYorker released our short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” online.
It traces the ongoing effects of the sudden shutdown of US foreign aid through the story of one mother in Kenya as she seeks to save her daughter from sickness and starvation. 🎥 1/ www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
It traces the ongoing effects of the sudden shutdown of US foreign aid through the story of one mother in Kenya as she seeks to save her daughter from sickness and starvation. 🎥 1/ www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Came across this in a Larry Summers speech from 2017. Sometimes (and I emphasize, ONLY SOMETIMES) you gotta hand it to him
November 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Came across this in a Larry Summers speech from 2017. Sometimes (and I emphasize, ONLY SOMETIMES) you gotta hand it to him
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
This story is killing me
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This story is killing me
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
What can you give your mate who’s desperately upset on missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize?
FIFA announce new peace prize to be handed out in * can I shock you * Washington 🙀
FIFA announce new peace prize to be handed out in * can I shock you * Washington 🙀
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
What can you give your mate who’s desperately upset on missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize?
FIFA announce new peace prize to be handed out in * can I shock you * Washington 🙀
FIFA announce new peace prize to be handed out in * can I shock you * Washington 🙀
The report of the new G20 Expert Group on Global Inequality is well worth a read
g20.org/wp-content/u...
g20.org/wp-content/u...
November 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The report of the new G20 Expert Group on Global Inequality is well worth a read
g20.org/wp-content/u...
g20.org/wp-content/u...
We can live together as a global community, and we are more than the circumstances of our birth
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 AM
We can live together as a global community, and we are more than the circumstances of our birth
For all the commentary about how NYC is a far left haven that makes Wellesley look centrist and doesn’t have lessons to offer the rest of the country, I feel like we’ve forgotten that the last mayor they elected was Eric Adams…
November 5, 2025 at 3:11 AM
For all the commentary about how NYC is a far left haven that makes Wellesley look centrist and doesn’t have lessons to offer the rest of the country, I feel like we’ve forgotten that the last mayor they elected was Eric Adams…
I forgot that watching the news on election night could rock
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I forgot that watching the news on election night could rock
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
This could so easily be misconstrued that I'm hesitant to say it, but it's pretty incredible that Jamaica was hit by one of the Caribbean's strongest ever hurricanes and only 19 people died.
Suggests that early warning + disaster preparedness can make a huge impact
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Suggests that early warning + disaster preparedness can make a huge impact
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Satellite Images Reveal Scale of Melissa Destruction in Jamaica
In one of the hardest-hit areas, at least three-quarters of buildings sustained severe damage.
www.bloomberg.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This could so easily be misconstrued that I'm hesitant to say it, but it's pretty incredible that Jamaica was hit by one of the Caribbean's strongest ever hurricanes and only 19 people died.
Suggests that early warning + disaster preparedness can make a huge impact
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Suggests that early warning + disaster preparedness can make a huge impact
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
"The cost of hiring help to care for an elderly or a sick person at home is skyrocketing... the White House's crackdown on immigration and funding cuts are making things worse."
www.axios.com/2025/10/30/t...
www.axios.com/2025/10/30/t...
In-home elder care cost is rising more than three times faster than inflation
So far this year, the price of in-home care for the elderly, disabled or convalescent at home is up 10%.
www.axios.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"The cost of hiring help to care for an elderly or a sick person at home is skyrocketing... the White House's crackdown on immigration and funding cuts are making things worse."
www.axios.com/2025/10/30/t...
www.axios.com/2025/10/30/t...
Quick primer for people who are learning about the IMO green shipping situation bc the US Vito Corleone'd it.
Shipping accounts for about 3% of emissions. By definition int'l shipping takes place outside any one country's control, making it EXACTLY the kind of thing int'l cooperation is needed for
Shipping accounts for about 3% of emissions. By definition int'l shipping takes place outside any one country's control, making it EXACTLY the kind of thing int'l cooperation is needed for
US officials were—what else—exercising these threats to delay the adoption of a first-ever industry tax on greenhouse gas emissions that had already gotten broad support from both government and companies www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
November 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Quick primer for people who are learning about the IMO green shipping situation bc the US Vito Corleone'd it.
Shipping accounts for about 3% of emissions. By definition int'l shipping takes place outside any one country's control, making it EXACTLY the kind of thing int'l cooperation is needed for
Shipping accounts for about 3% of emissions. By definition int'l shipping takes place outside any one country's control, making it EXACTLY the kind of thing int'l cooperation is needed for
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
US officials were—what else—exercising these threats to delay the adoption of a first-ever industry tax on greenhouse gas emissions that had already gotten broad support from both government and companies www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
November 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
US officials were—what else—exercising these threats to delay the adoption of a first-ever industry tax on greenhouse gas emissions that had already gotten broad support from both government and companies www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
I had heard rumors about this—indeed the US threatened to revoke foreign officials’ visas if they voted in favor of the green shipping rules at the IMO.
Utterly thuggish behavior
Utterly thuggish behavior
November 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I had heard rumors about this—indeed the US threatened to revoke foreign officials’ visas if they voted in favor of the green shipping rules at the IMO.
Utterly thuggish behavior
Utterly thuggish behavior
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
Some links to support people in Jamaica (from someone in JA). please boost
1. www.foodforthepoorja.org
2. theafj.org
3. (if you want to give to the govt) supportjamaica.gov.jm?fbclid=PAdGR...
1. www.foodforthepoorja.org
2. theafj.org
3. (if you want to give to the govt) supportjamaica.gov.jm?fbclid=PAdGR...
Food For The Poor Jamaica
Food for the Poor Jamaica
www.foodforthepoorja.org
November 2, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Some links to support people in Jamaica (from someone in JA). please boost
1. www.foodforthepoorja.org
2. theafj.org
3. (if you want to give to the govt) supportjamaica.gov.jm?fbclid=PAdGR...
1. www.foodforthepoorja.org
2. theafj.org
3. (if you want to give to the govt) supportjamaica.gov.jm?fbclid=PAdGR...
Hopping on the baseball is actually exciting bandwagon
November 2, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Hopping on the baseball is actually exciting bandwagon
Notable that many of the Nigerian politicians rejecting the war on Christians rhetoric are themselves Christian.
Like there's literally a guy named "Godswill" saying this is false!
Like there's literally a guy named "Godswill" saying this is false!
November 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Notable that many of the Nigerian politicians rejecting the war on Christians rhetoric are themselves Christian.
Like there's literally a guy named "Godswill" saying this is false!
Like there's literally a guy named "Godswill" saying this is false!
Need fun facts to drop into conversation at Halloween parties tonight?
Read about why the price of cocoa skyrocketed and how it’s affecting the Halloween candy market!
timhirschelburns.substack.com/p/the-surpri...
Read about why the price of cocoa skyrocketed and how it’s affecting the Halloween candy market!
timhirschelburns.substack.com/p/the-surpri...
The surprising reason Halloween candy is so expensive
A story of West Africa, climate change, and when global inequality hurts us all
timhirschelburns.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Need fun facts to drop into conversation at Halloween parties tonight?
Read about why the price of cocoa skyrocketed and how it’s affecting the Halloween candy market!
timhirschelburns.substack.com/p/the-surpri...
Read about why the price of cocoa skyrocketed and how it’s affecting the Halloween candy market!
timhirschelburns.substack.com/p/the-surpri...
Reposted by Tim Hirschel-Burns
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417