Brad Smith
@bradsmithtx.bsky.social
ATX 🌮 | Data Science 📊 | Progressive 🫎
Austin-based data scientist turning analytics into action. Turning insights into impact, because the numbers don’t lie, but they can tell a damn good story 📚
Austin-based data scientist turning analytics into action. Turning insights into impact, because the numbers don’t lie, but they can tell a damn good story 📚
Covfefe walked so South Carerddd could run.
October 29, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Covfefe walked so South Carerddd could run.
When a president’s party label matters more than inflation, jobs, or growth… that’s not economics.
That’s identity masquerading as analysis, grievance dressed up as data.
And that’s how we end up arguing about an imaginary economy while the real one moves on without us.
#EconSky
That’s identity masquerading as analysis, grievance dressed up as data.
And that’s how we end up arguing about an imaginary economy while the real one moves on without us.
#EconSky
October 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
When a president’s party label matters more than inflation, jobs, or growth… that’s not economics.
That’s identity masquerading as analysis, grievance dressed up as data.
And that’s how we end up arguing about an imaginary economy while the real one moves on without us.
#EconSky
That’s identity masquerading as analysis, grievance dressed up as data.
And that’s how we end up arguing about an imaginary economy while the real one moves on without us.
#EconSky
Line up perception with real GDP though and pretty clear:
Democrats’ optimism rises and falls with actual growth; up in recoveries, down in recessions, no matter who’s president.
Republicans’ optimism collapses the moment a Democrat takes office, regardless of actual economic growth.
Democrats’ optimism rises and falls with actual growth; up in recoveries, down in recessions, no matter who’s president.
Republicans’ optimism collapses the moment a Democrat takes office, regardless of actual economic growth.
October 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Line up perception with real GDP though and pretty clear:
Democrats’ optimism rises and falls with actual growth; up in recoveries, down in recessions, no matter who’s president.
Republicans’ optimism collapses the moment a Democrat takes office, regardless of actual economic growth.
Democrats’ optimism rises and falls with actual growth; up in recoveries, down in recessions, no matter who’s president.
Republicans’ optimism collapses the moment a Democrat takes office, regardless of actual economic growth.
For the most part, both parties view the economy through partisan lenses. Which makes sense, right? When your team’s in charge, you like what they’re doing (at least you’d hope so).
But how does that line up with reality?
#PewResearch #Politics #Economics
But how does that line up with reality?
#PewResearch #Politics #Economics
October 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
For the most part, both parties view the economy through partisan lenses. Which makes sense, right? When your team’s in charge, you like what they’re doing (at least you’d hope so).
But how does that line up with reality?
#PewResearch #Politics #Economics
But how does that line up with reality?
#PewResearch #Politics #Economics
His first impeachment was literally for selling out Ukraine.
September 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
His first impeachment was literally for selling out Ukraine.
Can’t wait for the LinkedIn posts to start from this about how important networking is.
“I thought I was holding a clipboard. Turns out I was sending a connection request that brought me home years later.” - Josh McCown (probably)
“I thought I was holding a clipboard. Turns out I was sending a connection request that brought me home years later.” - Josh McCown (probably)
September 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Can’t wait for the LinkedIn posts to start from this about how important networking is.
“I thought I was holding a clipboard. Turns out I was sending a connection request that brought me home years later.” - Josh McCown (probably)
“I thought I was holding a clipboard. Turns out I was sending a connection request that brought me home years later.” - Josh McCown (probably)
America 2025: The Vice President doesn’t care if it’s a war crime.
Cool cool cool.
Cool cool cool.
September 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
America 2025: The Vice President doesn’t care if it’s a war crime.
Cool cool cool.
Cool cool cool.
Full-time work: -357k
Part-time: +597k.
People aren’t finding jobs, they’re settling for hours.
#JobMarket #LaborReport #EconSky
Part-time: +597k.
People aren’t finding jobs, they’re settling for hours.
#JobMarket #LaborReport #EconSky
September 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Full-time work: -357k
Part-time: +597k.
People aren’t finding jobs, they’re settling for hours.
#JobMarket #LaborReport #EconSky
Part-time: +597k.
People aren’t finding jobs, they’re settling for hours.
#JobMarket #LaborReport #EconSky
76% of Texas’s $2.4 trillion GDP comes from the blue parts.
- DFW: $709.0 B (29.5%)
- Houston: $642.1 B (26.7%)
- Austin: $229.2 B (9.5%)
- San Antonio: $201.2 B (8.4%)
- El Paso: $49.3 B (1.9%)
Blue: $1.83 T (76%)
Red: $0.57 T (24%)
#EconSky #Gerrymandering
comptroller.texas.gov/economy/econ...
- DFW: $709.0 B (29.5%)
- Houston: $642.1 B (26.7%)
- Austin: $229.2 B (9.5%)
- San Antonio: $201.2 B (8.4%)
- El Paso: $49.3 B (1.9%)
Blue: $1.83 T (76%)
Red: $0.57 T (24%)
#EconSky #Gerrymandering
comptroller.texas.gov/economy/econ...
August 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
76% of Texas’s $2.4 trillion GDP comes from the blue parts.
- DFW: $709.0 B (29.5%)
- Houston: $642.1 B (26.7%)
- Austin: $229.2 B (9.5%)
- San Antonio: $201.2 B (8.4%)
- El Paso: $49.3 B (1.9%)
Blue: $1.83 T (76%)
Red: $0.57 T (24%)
#EconSky #Gerrymandering
comptroller.texas.gov/economy/econ...
- DFW: $709.0 B (29.5%)
- Houston: $642.1 B (26.7%)
- Austin: $229.2 B (9.5%)
- San Antonio: $201.2 B (8.4%)
- El Paso: $49.3 B (1.9%)
Blue: $1.83 T (76%)
Red: $0.57 T (24%)
#EconSky #Gerrymandering
comptroller.texas.gov/economy/econ...
Sooo… one of the credit score companies is sending out newsletters on how to prepare for a recession.
That does not sound very bueno!
#Equifax #Recession #NoBueno
That does not sound very bueno!
#Equifax #Recession #NoBueno
July 20, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Sooo… one of the credit score companies is sending out newsletters on how to prepare for a recession.
That does not sound very bueno!
#Equifax #Recession #NoBueno
That does not sound very bueno!
#Equifax #Recession #NoBueno
They almost exclusively defunded their own district when they defunded public radio and tv…
Est. 2024 Trump-Voting Area Overlap (%)
Radio: 77.5%
Television: 72.5%
#PBS #PublicRadio #PublicTelevision
Est. 2024 Trump-Voting Area Overlap (%)
Radio: 77.5%
Television: 72.5%
#PBS #PublicRadio #PublicTelevision
July 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
They almost exclusively defunded their own district when they defunded public radio and tv…
Est. 2024 Trump-Voting Area Overlap (%)
Radio: 77.5%
Television: 72.5%
#PBS #PublicRadio #PublicTelevision
Est. 2024 Trump-Voting Area Overlap (%)
Radio: 77.5%
Television: 72.5%
#PBS #PublicRadio #PublicTelevision
Murkowski folded in less time then it took me to fly from Austin, TX to Minneapolis, MN.
I started this when the plane took off when she was a no and she folded before I could finish.
#EconSky #SocialSecurity #BigBeautifulBill
I started this when the plane took off when she was a no and she folded before I could finish.
#EconSky #SocialSecurity #BigBeautifulBill
July 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Murkowski folded in less time then it took me to fly from Austin, TX to Minneapolis, MN.
I started this when the plane took off when she was a no and she folded before I could finish.
#EconSky #SocialSecurity #BigBeautifulBill
I started this when the plane took off when she was a no and she folded before I could finish.
#EconSky #SocialSecurity #BigBeautifulBill
Ah yes, the classic economic strategy of “pay people less, blow a hole in the budget, and hope 0.6% GDP growth shows up in 10 years.”
Worked great last time we did it… in 2018.
#GOPTaxPlan #TrickleDownEconomics #PolicyFailure #EconSky
Worked great last time we did it… in 2018.
#GOPTaxPlan #TrickleDownEconomics #PolicyFailure #EconSky
May 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Ah yes, the classic economic strategy of “pay people less, blow a hole in the budget, and hope 0.6% GDP growth shows up in 10 years.”
Worked great last time we did it… in 2018.
#GOPTaxPlan #TrickleDownEconomics #PolicyFailure #EconSky
Worked great last time we did it… in 2018.
#GOPTaxPlan #TrickleDownEconomics #PolicyFailure #EconSky
Nearly no growth over the next 10 years.
But, there will be more jobs! You’ll get paid less but sure, more jobs
But, there will be more jobs! You’ll get paid less but sure, more jobs
May 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Nearly no growth over the next 10 years.
But, there will be more jobs! You’ll get paid less but sure, more jobs
But, there will be more jobs! You’ll get paid less but sure, more jobs
Remember that time the Soviets spied on us for 7 years using a literal piece of wood?
Yeah… how many mics do you think they can fit on a 747?
They’re gonna be laughing all the way to the tarmac.
#TrojanJet #AirForceOne #NationalSecurity
Yeah… how many mics do you think they can fit on a 747?
They’re gonna be laughing all the way to the tarmac.
#TrojanJet #AirForceOne #NationalSecurity
May 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Remember that time the Soviets spied on us for 7 years using a literal piece of wood?
Yeah… how many mics do you think they can fit on a 747?
They’re gonna be laughing all the way to the tarmac.
#TrojanJet #AirForceOne #NationalSecurity
Yeah… how many mics do you think they can fit on a 747?
They’re gonna be laughing all the way to the tarmac.
#TrojanJet #AirForceOne #NationalSecurity
Last year, these two ports accounted for roughly 25% of all imports.
For reference, imports only declined 7.4% in 2020 during COVID.
For reference, imports only declined 7.4% in 2020 during COVID.
May 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Last year, these two ports accounted for roughly 25% of all imports.
For reference, imports only declined 7.4% in 2020 during COVID.
For reference, imports only declined 7.4% in 2020 during COVID.
May 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
She can’t treat patients, prescribe meds, or work in a hospital…
But she can sell you a smoothie and call it “metabolic health.”
#SurgeonGeneral
But she can sell you a smoothie and call it “metabolic health.”
#SurgeonGeneral
May 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
She can’t treat patients, prescribe meds, or work in a hospital…
But she can sell you a smoothie and call it “metabolic health.”
#SurgeonGeneral
But she can sell you a smoothie and call it “metabolic health.”
#SurgeonGeneral
Damnit… I’m gonna have to write a whole research paper and get this peer reviewed, aren’t I?
I spent a decade in dairy so I was only trying to figure out how bad the FDA’s recent decision to suspend Grade A milk could get and it’s… concerning.
#PublicHealth #EconSky #DataVisualization #EpiSky
I spent a decade in dairy so I was only trying to figure out how bad the FDA’s recent decision to suspend Grade A milk could get and it’s… concerning.
#PublicHealth #EconSky #DataVisualization #EpiSky
May 7, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Damnit… I’m gonna have to write a whole research paper and get this peer reviewed, aren’t I?
I spent a decade in dairy so I was only trying to figure out how bad the FDA’s recent decision to suspend Grade A milk could get and it’s… concerning.
#PublicHealth #EconSky #DataVisualization #EpiSky
I spent a decade in dairy so I was only trying to figure out how bad the FDA’s recent decision to suspend Grade A milk could get and it’s… concerning.
#PublicHealth #EconSky #DataVisualization #EpiSky
Welcome to 2025
GDOP is down 0.3%, unemployment claims are up 17.2%, and the average persons 401(k) lost nearly 5% in the last three months alone.
They're trying to call it a correction... corrections don't put food on the table.
#Recession #GDP #Inflation #Unemployment #Economics #EconSky
GDOP is down 0.3%, unemployment claims are up 17.2%, and the average persons 401(k) lost nearly 5% in the last three months alone.
They're trying to call it a correction... corrections don't put food on the table.
#Recession #GDP #Inflation #Unemployment #Economics #EconSky
April 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Welcome to 2025
GDOP is down 0.3%, unemployment claims are up 17.2%, and the average persons 401(k) lost nearly 5% in the last three months alone.
They're trying to call it a correction... corrections don't put food on the table.
#Recession #GDP #Inflation #Unemployment #Economics #EconSky
GDOP is down 0.3%, unemployment claims are up 17.2%, and the average persons 401(k) lost nearly 5% in the last three months alone.
They're trying to call it a correction... corrections don't put food on the table.
#Recession #GDP #Inflation #Unemployment #Economics #EconSky
After the FDA suspended testing for milk and poultry, I wanted to dig in and figure out the true cost per recall.
The dark blue is just the recall cost.
The light blue includes everything else ranging from lost sales to brand damage legal fees.
This is the before chart…
#FDA #FoodSafety #EconSky
The dark blue is just the recall cost.
The light blue includes everything else ranging from lost sales to brand damage legal fees.
This is the before chart…
#FDA #FoodSafety #EconSky
April 28, 2025 at 10:23 PM
After the FDA suspended testing for milk and poultry, I wanted to dig in and figure out the true cost per recall.
The dark blue is just the recall cost.
The light blue includes everything else ranging from lost sales to brand damage legal fees.
This is the before chart…
#FDA #FoodSafety #EconSky
The dark blue is just the recall cost.
The light blue includes everything else ranging from lost sales to brand damage legal fees.
This is the before chart…
#FDA #FoodSafety #EconSky
884 measles cases.
96% unvaccinated.
This outbreak is spreading faster than any year in decades… and it’s only April.
This isn’t just public health negligence. It’s deliberate policy defiance.
#Measles #PublicHealth #VaccinesSaveLives
96% unvaccinated.
This outbreak is spreading faster than any year in decades… and it’s only April.
This isn’t just public health negligence. It’s deliberate policy defiance.
#Measles #PublicHealth #VaccinesSaveLives
April 25, 2025 at 11:52 PM
884 measles cases.
96% unvaccinated.
This outbreak is spreading faster than any year in decades… and it’s only April.
This isn’t just public health negligence. It’s deliberate policy defiance.
#Measles #PublicHealth #VaccinesSaveLives
96% unvaccinated.
This outbreak is spreading faster than any year in decades… and it’s only April.
This isn’t just public health negligence. It’s deliberate policy defiance.
#Measles #PublicHealth #VaccinesSaveLives
