Michael Roberts
@mikejrob.bsky.social
An economist who studies agriculture, climate change, energy, and sometimes other environmental and resource issues.
Blog: https://grainsgigawatts.substack.com
Blog: https://grainsgigawatts.substack.com
Wow:
"The turnout rate of voters age 18 to 29 rose to 41.3 percent this year from 11.1 percent in the 2021 election for mayor. The share of total turnout composed of 18-to-29-year-olds grew to 16.6 percent from 8.9 percent four years ago"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
"The turnout rate of voters age 18 to 29 rose to 41.3 percent this year from 11.1 percent in the 2021 election for mayor. The share of total turnout composed of 18-to-29-year-olds grew to 16.6 percent from 8.9 percent four years ago"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Opinion | Steve Bannon Thinks Zohran Mamdani Is a Genius. It’s Not a Feint.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Wow:
"The turnout rate of voters age 18 to 29 rose to 41.3 percent this year from 11.1 percent in the 2021 election for mayor. The share of total turnout composed of 18-to-29-year-olds grew to 16.6 percent from 8.9 percent four years ago"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
"The turnout rate of voters age 18 to 29 rose to 41.3 percent this year from 11.1 percent in the 2021 election for mayor. The share of total turnout composed of 18-to-29-year-olds grew to 16.6 percent from 8.9 percent four years ago"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Great Freakonomics episode on how the 1910 Flexner Report reshaped U.S. medical training — and its lasting influence.
🎧 freakonomics.com/podcast/the-...
Also: new NBER paper by Karen Clay et al. on this history → www.nber.org/papers/w33937
Does this history contribute to today's doctor shortage?
🎧 freakonomics.com/podcast/the-...
Also: new NBER paper by Karen Clay et al. on this history → www.nber.org/papers/w33937
Does this history contribute to today's doctor shortage?
freakonomics.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Great Freakonomics episode on how the 1910 Flexner Report reshaped U.S. medical training — and its lasting influence.
🎧 freakonomics.com/podcast/the-...
Also: new NBER paper by Karen Clay et al. on this history → www.nber.org/papers/w33937
Does this history contribute to today's doctor shortage?
🎧 freakonomics.com/podcast/the-...
Also: new NBER paper by Karen Clay et al. on this history → www.nber.org/papers/w33937
Does this history contribute to today's doctor shortage?
Quite a reversal on the betting odds of a democratic house in 2026.
electionbettingodds.com/House-Contro...
electionbettingodds.com/House-Contro...
November 5, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Quite a reversal on the betting odds of a democratic house in 2026.
electionbettingodds.com/House-Contro...
electionbettingodds.com/House-Contro...
When my "dark" traits get the better of me, I ✔️the state of science @statmodeling.bsky.social
"as long as this sort of research gets shoved into the world’s most prestigious scientific journals ... [and] gets uncritical press coverage, we’ll keep seeing more of it."
tinyurl.com/4f2yhwtx
Oh well
"as long as this sort of research gets shoved into the world’s most prestigious scientific journals ... [and] gets uncritical press coverage, we’ll keep seeing more of it."
tinyurl.com/4f2yhwtx
Oh well
Aversive statistical methods explain differences in “dark” publication in PNAS across subject areas | Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science
tinyurl.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
When my "dark" traits get the better of me, I ✔️the state of science @statmodeling.bsky.social
"as long as this sort of research gets shoved into the world’s most prestigious scientific journals ... [and] gets uncritical press coverage, we’ll keep seeing more of it."
tinyurl.com/4f2yhwtx
Oh well
"as long as this sort of research gets shoved into the world’s most prestigious scientific journals ... [and] gets uncritical press coverage, we’ll keep seeing more of it."
tinyurl.com/4f2yhwtx
Oh well
Today, Russia has a population roughly similar to that of the United States in the 1940s.
Russia has lost roughly twice as many soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine as the United States did in World War II.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Russia has lost roughly twice as many soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine as the United States did in World War II.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Russia's latest big Ukraine offensive gains next to nothing, again
Hundreds of thousands of Vladimir Putin's troops are losing their lives for barely any land
www.economist.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Today, Russia has a population roughly similar to that of the United States in the 1940s.
Russia has lost roughly twice as many soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine as the United States did in World War II.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Russia has lost roughly twice as many soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine as the United States did in World War II.
www.economist.com/interactive/...
It took 15 years for the Nasdaq to return to .com peak after the bubble burst. Another ~10.5 years to grow 4.5 X.
But this time is different, right?
...Right?
But this time is different, right?
...Right?
October 9, 2025 at 7:24 AM
It took 15 years for the Nasdaq to return to .com peak after the bubble burst. Another ~10.5 years to grow 4.5 X.
But this time is different, right?
...Right?
But this time is different, right?
...Right?
Reposted by Michael Roberts
Great reporting on the market and consumer aspects of legacy coal power on Here and Now. Probably a much better spear point than climate. @tatecurtis.bsky.social does a great job on these issues as usual. 💡🔌 🏛️
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
West Virginia relies mostly on coal for its electricity. Customers are paying a heavy price
In West Virginia, more than 80% of the electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, customers have faced steady increases for more than a decade.
www.wbur.org
September 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Great reporting on the market and consumer aspects of legacy coal power on Here and Now. Probably a much better spear point than climate. @tatecurtis.bsky.social does a great job on these issues as usual. 💡🔌 🏛️
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
I wonder if something like this could ever happen here.
It's not just Sarkozy, but many of his co-conspirators who have been punished for their crimes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/w...
It's not just Sarkozy, but many of his co-conspirators who have been punished for their crimes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/w...
Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Libyan Campaign-Funding Case
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I wonder if something like this could ever happen here.
It's not just Sarkozy, but many of his co-conspirators who have been punished for their crimes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/w...
It's not just Sarkozy, but many of his co-conspirators who have been punished for their crimes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/w...
"Democrats should begin making it loud and clear that if and when MAGA is dethroned, those who broke the law, those who corrupted our democracy out of deference to Trump will be held accountable."
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Trump is weaker than he lets on. Stop the cowardice.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Trump is weaker than he lets on. Stop the cowardice.
Is the Jimmy Kimmel Saga a Sign that the Tide is Turning?
Why we may not be Russia or Hungary
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
"Democrats should begin making it loud and clear that if and when MAGA is dethroned, those who broke the law, those who corrupted our democracy out of deference to Trump will be held accountable."
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Trump is weaker than he lets on. Stop the cowardice.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Trump is weaker than he lets on. Stop the cowardice.
This story begs for more than "he said, she said" journalism.
Explain the evidence, what's compelling, what's not, and what's required to go from correlation to causation. How, precisely, did Dr. Baccarelli supposedly cherry pick?
Do better @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Explain the evidence, what's compelling, what's not, and what's required to go from correlation to causation. How, precisely, did Dr. Baccarelli supposedly cherry pick?
Do better @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Harvard Dean Was Paid $150,000 as an Expert Witness in Tylenol Lawsuits
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
This story begs for more than "he said, she said" journalism.
Explain the evidence, what's compelling, what's not, and what's required to go from correlation to causation. How, precisely, did Dr. Baccarelli supposedly cherry pick?
Do better @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Explain the evidence, what's compelling, what's not, and what's required to go from correlation to causation. How, precisely, did Dr. Baccarelli supposedly cherry pick?
Do better @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
There he goes projecting again. Every attack is a confession.
‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/u...
‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/u...
‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N.
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:08 AM
There he goes projecting again. Every attack is a confession.
‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/u...
‘Your Countries Are Going to Hell’: Trump Airs His Grievances at the U.N. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/u...
Reposted by Michael Roberts
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The Washington Roundtable is joined by the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Keren Yarhi-Milo, the dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, to discuss...
play.prx.org
September 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Reposted by Michael Roberts
Vertical rows are the agrivoltaic winner!
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
Double harvest: Vertical solar panels and crops thrive side by side
Imagine a field where solar panels and crops coexist—with no trade-off. It sounds like science fiction, but that's precisely what researchers from Aarhus University have now documented in a full-scale...
techxplore.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Vertical rows are the agrivoltaic winner!
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
USDA ends data collection on food insecurity and BLS delays a report on consumer expenditures without explanation
Meanwhile, free speech for misinformers but not for anyone who criticizes Trump—that’s illegal now, says the King.
They will find the crime.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Meanwhile, free speech for misinformers but not for anyone who criticizes Trump—that’s illegal now, says the King.
They will find the crime.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
September 21, 2025
On Friday the Bureau of Labor Statistics postponed the release of the annual report on consumer expenditures—a key report for understanding inflation—without explanation.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
USDA ends data collection on food insecurity and BLS delays a report on consumer expenditures without explanation
Meanwhile, free speech for misinformers but not for anyone who criticizes Trump—that’s illegal now, says the King.
They will find the crime.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Meanwhile, free speech for misinformers but not for anyone who criticizes Trump—that’s illegal now, says the King.
They will find the crime.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
I didn't realize all of this increasingly destructive media consolidation stems from the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
On Jimmy Kimmel: It's Time to Destroy the Censorship Machine and Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/on-jimmy-k...
On Jimmy Kimmel: It's Time to Destroy the Censorship Machine and Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/on-jimmy-k...
On Jimmy Kimmel: It's Time to Destroy the Censorship Machine and Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996
In 1996, Bill Clinton set the stage for what Donald Trump is doing now by creating a censorship machine of consolidated media, broadband, and tech firms. It's time to break it apart.
www.thebignewsletter.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I didn't realize all of this increasingly destructive media consolidation stems from the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
On Jimmy Kimmel: It's Time to Destroy the Censorship Machine and Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/on-jimmy-k...
On Jimmy Kimmel: It's Time to Destroy the Censorship Machine and Repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/on-jimmy-k...
"it's time for Democrats .. to .. 1) acknowledge that American men are having real problems; 2) state clearly that MAGA has no solutions & is exploiting their distress for political ends; & 3) advocate for effective policies to help them, as well as promising responsible stewardship of the economy."
Exploiting Male Rage
Men’s problems are real. MAGA’s solutions are fake
open.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:21 AM
"it's time for Democrats .. to .. 1) acknowledge that American men are having real problems; 2) state clearly that MAGA has no solutions & is exploiting their distress for political ends; & 3) advocate for effective policies to help them, as well as promising responsible stewardship of the economy."
Reposted by Michael Roberts
From things I've seen recently, I think many people would benefit from reading this. It's short, and it's free.
👉 rdcu.be/dbFbB
👉 rdcu.be/dbFbB
In recognition of us doing fuck all to reduce emissions, let me remind y'all that carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is useless unless we decarbonize drastically.
rdcu.be/dbFbB
rdcu.be/dbFbB
Carbon dioxide removal is not a current climate solution — we need to change the narrative
Drastically reduce emissions first, or carbon dioxide removal will be next to useless.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
From things I've seen recently, I think many people would benefit from reading this. It's short, and it's free.
👉 rdcu.be/dbFbB
👉 rdcu.be/dbFbB
Reposted by Michael Roberts
I am actually sad to have to say this since I have admired much about Disney CEO Bob Iger over the years, but what a profoundly quisling move this is by someone who knows better. It’s shameful and he has tarnished his once proud reputation.
September 18, 2025 at 4:32 AM
I am actually sad to have to say this since I have admired much about Disney CEO Bob Iger over the years, but what a profoundly quisling move this is by someone who knows better. It’s shameful and he has tarnished his once proud reputation.
Cancelling Paramount didn't hurt so bad. But the six year old (and maybe even the 14 year old) are going to be bummed about cancelling the Disney+ subscription.
September 18, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Cancelling Paramount didn't hurt so bad. But the six year old (and maybe even the 14 year old) are going to be bummed about cancelling the Disney+ subscription.
The Clean Water Act improved water quality dramatically, except for agricultural nutrient runoff. Most US water quality problems come from fertilizer on corn. Is it driving higher cancer rates in Iowa?
Nice to see Bloomberg put a spotlight on this important issue.
tinyurl.com/yt3cjta8
Nice to see Bloomberg put a spotlight on this important issue.
tinyurl.com/yt3cjta8
The Dark Side of America’s Big Agriculture
Nitrate from fertilizer and manure befouls countless waterways and kitchen taps across the US. But unlike other big polluters, from petroleum to plastics, Big Agriculture has largely avoided responsib...
www.bloomberg.com
September 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The Clean Water Act improved water quality dramatically, except for agricultural nutrient runoff. Most US water quality problems come from fertilizer on corn. Is it driving higher cancer rates in Iowa?
Nice to see Bloomberg put a spotlight on this important issue.
tinyurl.com/yt3cjta8
Nice to see Bloomberg put a spotlight on this important issue.
tinyurl.com/yt3cjta8
Don't miss this: Paul Krugman discusses the book "Science Under Siege" with authors @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social and @michaelemann.bsky.social
Misinformation and attacks on science come from a coordinated effort by fossil fuel and supplement-shilling industries.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Misinformation and attacks on science come from a coordinated effort by fossil fuel and supplement-shilling industries.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Science Under Siege: A Talk With Peter Hotez and Michael Mann
Lysenko comes to America
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Don't miss this: Paul Krugman discusses the book "Science Under Siege" with authors @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social and @michaelemann.bsky.social
Misinformation and attacks on science come from a coordinated effort by fossil fuel and supplement-shilling industries.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Misinformation and attacks on science come from a coordinated effort by fossil fuel and supplement-shilling industries.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Krugman asks why Republicans support such obviously destructive things.
Great examples in his column. But his essential answer is in the quote.
"https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-does-the-right-reject-progress.
Great examples in his column. But his essential answer is in the quote.
"https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-does-the-right-reject-progress.
September 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Krugman asks why Republicans support such obviously destructive things.
Great examples in his column. But his essential answer is in the quote.
"https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-does-the-right-reject-progress.
Great examples in his column. But his essential answer is in the quote.
"https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/why-does-the-right-reject-progress.
Reposted by Michael Roberts
Hawaii’s health insurers say they will cover COVID vaccinations for anyone older than six months, despite new FDA guidance that says children and healthy adults don’t need the shots.
Hawaii insurers hold firm on COVID vaccine policies
While public health advocates applaud the decision by Hawaii’s insurers, doctors and pharmacies are predicting a big drop in vaccinations.
www.hawaiinewsnow.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Hawaii’s health insurers say they will cover COVID vaccinations for anyone older than six months, despite new FDA guidance that says children and healthy adults don’t need the shots.
As the world crumbles, we'll at least be entertained by watching Donald's head explode as long-term rates rise even as his subservient Fed lowers rates.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Cooking the Federal Reserve’s Credibility
Did Wile E. Coyote just make a cameo appearance?
open.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
As the world crumbles, we'll at least be entertained by watching Donald's head explode as long-term rates rise even as his subservient Fed lowers rates.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Neither financial markets, mainstream media, nor the general public seem to any idea of the grave monetary crises that the Trump's actions could induce.
The world's best international macroeconomists are scared. You should be too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
The world's best international macroeconomists are scared. You should be too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Talking With Barry Eichengreen
Crises, the dollar and more
open.substack.com
August 31, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Neither financial markets, mainstream media, nor the general public seem to any idea of the grave monetary crises that the Trump's actions could induce.
The world's best international macroeconomists are scared. You should be too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
The world's best international macroeconomists are scared. You should be too.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...