Theodore Alysandratos
@thalysandratos.bsky.social
Person mit Migrationshintergrund | Citizen of nowhere | Leveraging (quasi) randomness | Econ | Panathinaikos | Heidelberg
https://sites.google.com/site/thalysandratos/home
https://sites.google.com/site/thalysandratos/home
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Debating even the most heinous ideas seems instinctively appealing.
"You need to engage in the battle of ideas to convince those you disagree with or their followers that they're wrong", etc.
But, there may not be persuadable! Not legitimising or giving them exposure might be best.
"You need to engage in the battle of ideas to convince those you disagree with or their followers that they're wrong", etc.
But, there may not be persuadable! Not legitimising or giving them exposure might be best.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
Oh. Oh dear. Well, it’s a nudge alright, but not a “take a break” one.
One of the changes that OpenAI has made to make ChatGPT safer is a "take a break" nudge. There's something quite interesting about the design here. Which thing does it make you want to click?
November 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Oh. Oh dear. Well, it’s a nudge alright, but not a “take a break” one.
Two papers published at ~the same time and I think should be read together:
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges academic.oup.com/qje/advance-...
Identity Politics www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges academic.oup.com/qje/advance-...
Identity Politics www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Two papers published at ~the same time and I think should be read together:
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges academic.oup.com/qje/advance-...
Identity Politics www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges academic.oup.com/qje/advance-...
Identity Politics www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by....(1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment" which are "uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes" unlike SAT/ACT scores
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges*
Abstract. We use anonymized admissions data from several colleges linked to income tax records and SAT and ACT test scores to study the determinants and ca
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by....(1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment" which are "uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes" unlike SAT/ACT scores
Haha, if ever there was a pivotal vote!
I say almost - but this was a ludicrous plan, right? It's not like it had a chance of succeeding? Just one of those nonsense bills that dies in committee?
61st Cong. 2nd sess. H.R. 23261, also known as the Hippo Bill. It failed, as near as I can find, by ONE VOTE.
It... it almost happened, y'all.
61st Cong. 2nd sess. H.R. 23261, also known as the Hippo Bill. It failed, as near as I can find, by ONE VOTE.
It... it almost happened, y'all.
November 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Haha, if ever there was a pivotal vote!
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
I took the plunge with atomic budgie. Wish me luck.
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I took the plunge with atomic budgie. Wish me luck.
Not at all surprised, but it reminds me of someone saying that they find LLMs most conducive to learning when they're close enough to the correct answer to put them on the right track, but also wrong enough for them to recognise the error.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Not at all surprised, but it reminds me of someone saying that they find LLMs most conducive to learning when they're close enough to the correct answer to put them on the right track, but also wrong enough for them to recognise the error.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
I posted this thread on Twitter ages ago, and I was reminded of it. So I thought I'd reproduce it here.
I'm rereading Friedman's "The Methodology of Positive Economics" for my undergrad philosophy of economics class. The influence of the logical positivists is striking in that essay.
I'm rereading Friedman's "The Methodology of Positive Economics" for my undergrad philosophy of economics class. The influence of the logical positivists is striking in that essay.
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I posted this thread on Twitter ages ago, and I was reminded of it. So I thought I'd reproduce it here.
I'm rereading Friedman's "The Methodology of Positive Economics" for my undergrad philosophy of economics class. The influence of the logical positivists is striking in that essay.
I'm rereading Friedman's "The Methodology of Positive Economics" for my undergrad philosophy of economics class. The influence of the logical positivists is striking in that essay.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
squirrel: *points gun*
me: what do you want me to do?
squirrel: *gestures at sign*
me: alright, i get it *opens book drop*
squirrel: *makes hurry-up motion*
me: NOT A SQUIRREL!
squirrel: *disappears into book drop*
me: *whispers* forgive me, keith
me: what do you want me to do?
squirrel: *gestures at sign*
me: alright, i get it *opens book drop*
squirrel: *makes hurry-up motion*
me: NOT A SQUIRREL!
squirrel: *disappears into book drop*
me: *whispers* forgive me, keith
November 19, 2025 at 1:41 PM
squirrel: *points gun*
me: what do you want me to do?
squirrel: *gestures at sign*
me: alright, i get it *opens book drop*
squirrel: *makes hurry-up motion*
me: NOT A SQUIRREL!
squirrel: *disappears into book drop*
me: *whispers* forgive me, keith
me: what do you want me to do?
squirrel: *gestures at sign*
me: alright, i get it *opens book drop*
squirrel: *makes hurry-up motion*
me: NOT A SQUIRREL!
squirrel: *disappears into book drop*
me: *whispers* forgive me, keith
Has Chomsky issued any apologies about his association with Epstein?
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Has Chomsky issued any apologies about his association with Epstein?
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
the nuzzi story is fun and all but at the center of it is the elevation of a man who has dedicated his life to making children catch preventable diseases to a position where he can enact harm at enormous scale
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 AM
the nuzzi story is fun and all but at the center of it is the elevation of a man who has dedicated his life to making children catch preventable diseases to a position where he can enact harm at enormous scale
In light of the emails between a convicted child abuser and several presumably very smart people, I'd like to craft the following adage: Never attribute to stupidity what can be attributed to arrogance.
November 19, 2025 at 8:12 AM
In light of the emails between a convicted child abuser and several presumably very smart people, I'd like to craft the following adage: Never attribute to stupidity what can be attributed to arrogance.
Amodei is in favour of stricter AI regulation. This may be because Anthropic is more risk averse/responsible than OpenAI. There's a reason they split after all.
But, it may also be, at least partially, that Amodei, as an incumbent, wants to use regulation to deter entry.
But, it may also be, at least partially, that Amodei, as an incumbent, wants to use regulation to deter entry.
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Amodei is in favour of stricter AI regulation. This may be because Anthropic is more risk averse/responsible than OpenAI. There's a reason they split after all.
But, it may also be, at least partially, that Amodei, as an incumbent, wants to use regulation to deter entry.
But, it may also be, at least partially, that Amodei, as an incumbent, wants to use regulation to deter entry.
I've been the recipient of racist abuse, so let me redirect this abuse to others. Tale as old as time.
- It is entirely legitimate for the Home Secretary to highlight the overt racism that she receives for taking part in public life.
- Everybody should oppose that racism against her, whatever their politics.
- But it is important to make several other points about this argument about racism.
- Everybody should oppose that racism against her, whatever their politics.
- But it is important to make several other points about this argument about racism.
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I've been the recipient of racist abuse, so let me redirect this abuse to others. Tale as old as time.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
When states like Colorado passed policies requiring employers to disclose salary information in job postings, what happened?
It increased competition, and raised wages, without harming employment or changing skill requirements.
Improved functioning of markets, helped workers.
It increased competition, and raised wages, without harming employment or changing skill requirements.
Improved functioning of markets, helped workers.
November 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
When states like Colorado passed policies requiring employers to disclose salary information in job postings, what happened?
It increased competition, and raised wages, without harming employment or changing skill requirements.
Improved functioning of markets, helped workers.
It increased competition, and raised wages, without harming employment or changing skill requirements.
Improved functioning of markets, helped workers.
I'm trying really hard to understand the train of thought that's led the UK gov to turn immigrants and refugees into scapegoats for all the maladies afflicting the country.
Their policies are likely to exacerbate current economic ills, while they're unlikely to attract voters. So why?
Their policies are likely to exacerbate current economic ills, while they're unlikely to attract voters. So why?
November 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I'm trying really hard to understand the train of thought that's led the UK gov to turn immigrants and refugees into scapegoats for all the maladies afflicting the country.
Their policies are likely to exacerbate current economic ills, while they're unlikely to attract voters. So why?
Their policies are likely to exacerbate current economic ills, while they're unlikely to attract voters. So why?
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
Good morning with good news: India meets 50% renewables & nuclear capacity target 5 years early!
As clean capacity deploys, clean electricity production surges.
Solar grew from 5 TWh in 2014 to 48 TWh in 2019 & 137 TWh in 2024.
Hydro was 157 TWh; wind 82 TWh; nuclear 55 TWh in 2024. #energysky
As clean capacity deploys, clean electricity production surges.
Solar grew from 5 TWh in 2014 to 48 TWh in 2019 & 137 TWh in 2024.
Hydro was 157 TWh; wind 82 TWh; nuclear 55 TWh in 2024. #energysky
November 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Good morning with good news: India meets 50% renewables & nuclear capacity target 5 years early!
As clean capacity deploys, clean electricity production surges.
Solar grew from 5 TWh in 2014 to 48 TWh in 2019 & 137 TWh in 2024.
Hydro was 157 TWh; wind 82 TWh; nuclear 55 TWh in 2024. #energysky
As clean capacity deploys, clean electricity production surges.
Solar grew from 5 TWh in 2014 to 48 TWh in 2019 & 137 TWh in 2024.
Hydro was 157 TWh; wind 82 TWh; nuclear 55 TWh in 2024. #energysky
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
maybe if he takes more consultant advice to move to the right on immigration he can turn those numbers around
November 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
maybe if he takes more consultant advice to move to the right on immigration he can turn those numbers around
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
At a Chicagoland bar mitzvah Saturday, rabbi had participated.
DHS denies detainees access to spiritual support. Interfaith religious leaders sought to provide it.
Faith leaders expressed shock at the intensity of the police response.
www.ncronline.org/news/least-7...
DHS denies detainees access to spiritual support. Interfaith religious leaders sought to provide it.
Faith leaders expressed shock at the intensity of the police response.
www.ncronline.org/news/least-7...
November 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
At a Chicagoland bar mitzvah Saturday, rabbi had participated.
DHS denies detainees access to spiritual support. Interfaith religious leaders sought to provide it.
Faith leaders expressed shock at the intensity of the police response.
www.ncronline.org/news/least-7...
DHS denies detainees access to spiritual support. Interfaith religious leaders sought to provide it.
Faith leaders expressed shock at the intensity of the police response.
www.ncronline.org/news/least-7...
Thinking of taking the plunge with Fedora budgie. Budgie looks so good.
I'd normally tolerate Gnome and Ubuntu's slow roll of kernels, but if I have to (learn how to) manage containers, I might as well do it on an atomic distro.
I'd normally tolerate Gnome and Ubuntu's slow roll of kernels, but if I have to (learn how to) manage containers, I might as well do it on an atomic distro.
November 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Thinking of taking the plunge with Fedora budgie. Budgie looks so good.
I'd normally tolerate Gnome and Ubuntu's slow roll of kernels, but if I have to (learn how to) manage containers, I might as well do it on an atomic distro.
I'd normally tolerate Gnome and Ubuntu's slow roll of kernels, but if I have to (learn how to) manage containers, I might as well do it on an atomic distro.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
Remembering talking to a Chilean refugee who had finally been able to visit Chile after decades in UK. "It was nice, but it is a different country now." She had put down roots in the UK and raised a family. Her life was, and is, here. This is the human reality that Mahmood and Labour want to destroy
November 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Remembering talking to a Chilean refugee who had finally been able to visit Chile after decades in UK. "It was nice, but it is a different country now." She had put down roots in the UK and raised a family. Her life was, and is, here. This is the human reality that Mahmood and Labour want to destroy
That framing is certainly an interesting choice.
A teenager in Florida with a homeless parent wanted money for braces and ended up having sex for money with powerful men, setting off a chain of events that would have a dramatic impact on her life and help upend the political career of Representative Matt Gaetz. nyti.ms/49PSkL9
November 14, 2025 at 2:05 AM
That framing is certainly an interesting choice.
Reposted by Theodore Alysandratos
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Epstein Document Search
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
November 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
#sports_talk I'm impressed by Avdalas' fluid motion with the ball, court vision and confidence.
However, he's not a true freshman. He's played 2 full seasons (+2 training) at a level higher on average than NCAA Division I. I'm very curious if he can sustain this level in March ;-)
However, he's not a true freshman. He's played 2 full seasons (+2 training) at a level higher on average than NCAA Division I. I'm very curious if he can sustain this level in March ;-)
November 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
#sports_talk I'm impressed by Avdalas' fluid motion with the ball, court vision and confidence.
However, he's not a true freshman. He's played 2 full seasons (+2 training) at a level higher on average than NCAA Division I. I'm very curious if he can sustain this level in March ;-)
However, he's not a true freshman. He's played 2 full seasons (+2 training) at a level higher on average than NCAA Division I. I'm very curious if he can sustain this level in March ;-)
What's revealed from the infamous emails is that whereas some felonies stigmatise the perpetrator for ever and lead to lifelong repercussions, procuring a child for prostitution isn't necessarily among them. As long as one has money, one's friends are happy to socialise with them.
November 13, 2025 at 8:20 AM
What's revealed from the infamous emails is that whereas some felonies stigmatise the perpetrator for ever and lead to lifelong repercussions, procuring a child for prostitution isn't necessarily among them. As long as one has money, one's friends are happy to socialise with them.