TJ Hedin
@tj-hedin.bsky.social
PhD Student @ UCLA Econ 📚 | Studying Labor Markets & Crime/Criminal Justice | He/Him | ⚽️ + 🌯 | TJHedin.com
For PhD students - ChatGPT is super helpful if you want to deeply understand a paper in your field- e.g. I'm working through Humphries et al. (2024), which is fairly technical, and it can generate questions to check my understanding, and then answer them very clearly. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
May 21, 2025 at 6:43 PM
For PhD students - ChatGPT is super helpful if you want to deeply understand a paper in your field- e.g. I'm working through Humphries et al. (2024), which is fairly technical, and it can generate questions to check my understanding, and then answer them very clearly. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Wait you're telling me that's Trump's CEA did the math, and it ended up being complete nonsense?
This is shocking to me.
Surely there's no precedent for an error this egregious.
This is shocking to me.
Surely there's no precedent for an error this egregious.
April 3, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Wait you're telling me that's Trump's CEA did the math, and it ended up being complete nonsense?
This is shocking to me.
Surely there's no precedent for an error this egregious.
This is shocking to me.
Surely there's no precedent for an error this egregious.
Reposted by TJ Hedin
Reposted by TJ Hedin
This guy is in one of the worst prisons in the world with no way out and may spend the rest of his life there because, it appears, he has an autism awareness tattoo in honor of his little brother.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
March 26, 2025 at 11:46 PM
This guy is in one of the worst prisons in the world with no way out and may spend the rest of his life there because, it appears, he has an autism awareness tattoo in honor of his little brother.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
It would be nice if @bsky.app would add a “share to IG stories” option on posts in the same way you can share Twitter posts directly to IG (with nice formatting).
Seems like a good way to pull more users into the app and decrease traffic to X.
Seems like a good way to pull more users into the app and decrease traffic to X.
March 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
It would be nice if @bsky.app would add a “share to IG stories” option on posts in the same way you can share Twitter posts directly to IG (with nice formatting).
Seems like a good way to pull more users into the app and decrease traffic to X.
Seems like a good way to pull more users into the app and decrease traffic to X.
Reposted by TJ Hedin
The Dallas Fed's Manufacturing Activity Index records comments every month from its respondents (factories in southern NM, TX, and northern LA). These typically run pretty far to the right of the WSJ Editorial page. Anyhow, here's what they're saying this month:
www.dallasfed.org/research/sur...
www.dallasfed.org/research/sur...
![February 24, 2025
Comments from survey respondents
These comments are from respondents’ completed surveys and have been edited for publication.
Chemical manufacturing
The dynamic tariff situation is one for us to follow and seek to understand. The approach to improve export tariffs for U.S. companies seeking to deliver goods in foreign countries is good, and we believe the current tactic of reciprocal tariffs could drive improvement for U.S. export competitiveness.
Tariff threats and uncertainty are extremely disruptive.
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
Keep lowering interest rates, please.
The overall effects of administrative change have stalled consumer and customer spending.
We are uncertain as to the full impact of tariffs related to our business. We procure parts from overseas. We have lost business opportunities for production of goods that goes to other countries as a result of tariffs. We may see new opportunities for products built elsewhere for companies who wish to shift manufacturing to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. There is much uncertainty at the moment as to how this will shake out.
With some of the new Buy America changes and tariffs incoming, we are looking at closing the business.
We are seeing broad signals of demand cyclically recovering. Personal electronics, communications equipment and enterprise business are now several quarters into a cyclical recovery. We are seeing industrial and automotive inventories cleaned out, and our revenues are returning to consumption.
Fabricated metal product manufacturing
We are starting to see old requests for quotations starting to receive purchase orders. We are still having issues filling positions.
We are still in a low-volume period but are holding steady as we’ve flexed down capacity and costs accordingly.
Food manufacturing
President Trump’s freeze on government contracts has had a dramatic impact on us. USAID [United States Agency for International Development] is our major customer. That as…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pnx2fjuannbdpy3337ggthpp/bafkreidab44c624nghp4nt57pydbnfn6nk6tl62nuhybbmq2ni7inx5kdm@jpeg)
![Miscellaneous manufacturing
Sales volumes have been trending downward in the last 28 months. We have cut hours to 36 per week, and it is not enough to get profitable. Next week, we are cutting further to 32 hours and laying off three people. The uncertainty in tariff threats and general chaos of another Trump presidency is weighing heavy on our business. All customers are decreasing or pushing out orders—taking a wait-and-see posture. Automotive OEM [original equipment manufacturer] and aftermarket represents 72 percent of our sales. The outlook from automotive OEM is that production should begin to pick up in second quarter 2025, but no firm increases have been promised. The outlook is bleak.
Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing
It is very hard to plan. Interest rates? Tariffs? Wow.
Paper manufacturing
Currently it is very slow, and we started reduced production hours in the plant. Orders are also very slow. A price increase in the industry has been delayed 30 days due to softness.
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
Customers, vendors and ourselves are all trying to get ahead of anticipated global trade challenges. It is stressing capacities, especially with production personnel.
Primary metal manufacturing
The proposed 25 percent tariffs on steel imports will directly and favorably improve the bottom line as a domestic steel manufacturer. However, uncertainty is sky high.
It is A Tale of Two Cities. February was down compared with January, but our outlook remains positive due to the 25 percent Section 232 tariff on aluminum. This tariff is expected to slow the influx of foreign aluminum from Mexico and other countries. Currently, a significant amount of aluminum is being dumped into the U.S. market, with many countries subsidizing their exports to gain a competitive edge. The bottom line: If the tariffs remain in place, they will benefit our industry. However, if they are reversed, many companies in our sector will struggle to survive.
Production impr…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pnx2fjuannbdpy3337ggthpp/bafkreid6x4vexv53kgzplwxdiyyucbaylrf2ldupesbvoevzlei2gichgq@jpeg)
February 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The Dallas Fed's Manufacturing Activity Index records comments every month from its respondents (factories in southern NM, TX, and northern LA). These typically run pretty far to the right of the WSJ Editorial page. Anyhow, here's what they're saying this month:
www.dallasfed.org/research/sur...
www.dallasfed.org/research/sur...
Reposted by TJ Hedin
🥳 The 16th #TWEC Transatlantic Workshop on the Economics of Crime is coming to Berlin in 2025!
🎓 @chtraxler.bsky.social and I are excited to host the workshop on 26-27 September, with keynotes by Paolo Pinotti and Marie Rosenkrantz Lindegaard.
⏱️ Deadline to submit your papers: 02 May 2025!
More👇
🎓 @chtraxler.bsky.social and I are excited to host the workshop on 26-27 September, with keynotes by Paolo Pinotti and Marie Rosenkrantz Lindegaard.
⏱️ Deadline to submit your papers: 02 May 2025!
More👇
February 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
🥳 The 16th #TWEC Transatlantic Workshop on the Economics of Crime is coming to Berlin in 2025!
🎓 @chtraxler.bsky.social and I are excited to host the workshop on 26-27 September, with keynotes by Paolo Pinotti and Marie Rosenkrantz Lindegaard.
⏱️ Deadline to submit your papers: 02 May 2025!
More👇
🎓 @chtraxler.bsky.social and I are excited to host the workshop on 26-27 September, with keynotes by Paolo Pinotti and Marie Rosenkrantz Lindegaard.
⏱️ Deadline to submit your papers: 02 May 2025!
More👇
Nice little data viz tip
Your map’s legend can be turned into a histogram, helping your audience understand the distribution in addition to decoding the colours.
February 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Nice little data viz tip
Our constitutional democracy seems to be failing, but also I just got some 🤌🤌🤌 administrative data I requested so not sure how I feel on net
a man in a suit and tie stands at a podium with the words win some lose some written below him
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands at a podium with the words win some lose some written below him
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Our constitutional democracy seems to be failing, but also I just got some 🤌🤌🤌 administrative data I requested so not sure how I feel on net
Reposted by TJ Hedin
🚨 BREAKING: OMB has just issued a memo *rescinding* the previous memo freezing all federal financial assistance programs.
Full text, per government source:
Full text, per government source:
January 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
🚨 BREAKING: OMB has just issued a memo *rescinding* the previous memo freezing all federal financial assistance programs.
Full text, per government source:
Full text, per government source:
Reposted by TJ Hedin
re: today's discourse, I have been battle-hardened by enough housing discourse to know that you have to couch criticism of California restrictions not just by contrasting it against Texas but also by contrasting it against Washington, Colorado, etc
January 18, 2025 at 7:13 PM
re: today's discourse, I have been battle-hardened by enough housing discourse to know that you have to couch criticism of California restrictions not just by contrasting it against Texas but also by contrasting it against Washington, Colorado, etc
Reposted by TJ Hedin
Congestion pricing coverage is peak economics
Every person is like, "I didn't used to bear any of the external costs of my behavior. But now that I do, I am adjusting along an infinite variety of least-cost adaptive margins that no central planner could have foreseen or designed"
Every person is like, "I didn't used to bear any of the external costs of my behavior. But now that I do, I am adjusting along an infinite variety of least-cost adaptive margins that no central planner could have foreseen or designed"
January 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Congestion pricing coverage is peak economics
Every person is like, "I didn't used to bear any of the external costs of my behavior. But now that I do, I am adjusting along an infinite variety of least-cost adaptive margins that no central planner could have foreseen or designed"
Every person is like, "I didn't used to bear any of the external costs of my behavior. But now that I do, I am adjusting along an infinite variety of least-cost adaptive margins that no central planner could have foreseen or designed"
The vibes in my MN group chats are approaching record lows
January 14, 2025 at 3:14 AM
The vibes in my MN group chats are approaching record lows
The journey of a tomahawk
January 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM
The journey of a tomahawk
Climate change may be a key driver of these fires in LA, but at some point you have to question the role "Dry January" is playing as well.
I may have to call it quits early. (For the sake of my community)
I may have to call it quits early. (For the sake of my community)
January 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Climate change may be a key driver of these fires in LA, but at some point you have to question the role "Dry January" is playing as well.
I may have to call it quits early. (For the sake of my community)
I may have to call it quits early. (For the sake of my community)
Reposted by TJ Hedin
Pretty amazing that nonprofit Watch Duty -- which says it has 150 volunteers working around the clock to track wildfires -- has become the most trusted source of information on LA fires. Operated by retired/volunteer firefighters, dispatchers, and reporters. Real people.
www.watchduty.org
www.watchduty.org
Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts
Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.
www.watchduty.org
January 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Pretty amazing that nonprofit Watch Duty -- which says it has 150 volunteers working around the clock to track wildfires -- has become the most trusted source of information on LA fires. Operated by retired/volunteer firefighters, dispatchers, and reporters. Real people.
www.watchduty.org
www.watchduty.org
Reposted by TJ Hedin
A better approach to forest management
Let the forest service do its job
www.slowboring.com
January 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by TJ Hedin
Ok, following on that last thread, here are my suggestions about how to be a good mentor (though this is still a work in progress!)
(And others should feel free to add to my list!)
A🧵
(And others should feel free to add to my list!)
A🧵
January 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Ok, following on that last thread, here are my suggestions about how to be a good mentor (though this is still a work in progress!)
(And others should feel free to add to my list!)
A🧵
(And others should feel free to add to my list!)
A🧵
Reposted by TJ Hedin
ABD with an employment- or labor-related (broadly defined), policy-relevant dissertation?
@upjohninstitute.bsky.social partners with RSF to fund Dissertation Grants up to $15k.
Priority for topics focusing on BIPOC communities.
#FundSocSci #econ_ra
www.russellsage.org/research/fun...
@upjohninstitute.bsky.social partners with RSF to fund Dissertation Grants up to $15k.
Priority for topics focusing on BIPOC communities.
#FundSocSci #econ_ra
www.russellsage.org/research/fun...
Dissertation Research Grants
The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) has established a dissertation research grants (DRG) program to support innovative and high-quality dissertation research projects that address questions relevant to
www.russellsage.org
January 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
ABD with an employment- or labor-related (broadly defined), policy-relevant dissertation?
@upjohninstitute.bsky.social partners with RSF to fund Dissertation Grants up to $15k.
Priority for topics focusing on BIPOC communities.
#FundSocSci #econ_ra
www.russellsage.org/research/fun...
@upjohninstitute.bsky.social partners with RSF to fund Dissertation Grants up to $15k.
Priority for topics focusing on BIPOC communities.
#FundSocSci #econ_ra
www.russellsage.org/research/fun...
Starting the new year off in Long Beach with some 10/10 walking weather ☀️
January 1, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Starting the new year off in Long Beach with some 10/10 walking weather ☀️
The discretion given to Attorney Generals (and District Attorneys) to decide who is allowed to break the law without consequence is… interesting.
December 31, 2024 at 5:14 PM
The discretion given to Attorney Generals (and District Attorneys) to decide who is allowed to break the law without consequence is… interesting.
Reposted by TJ Hedin
This is a super interesting paper cognitive endurance.
December 30, 2024 at 12:51 AM
This is a super interesting paper cognitive endurance.
Bixby wishes you all a very Merry and sophisticated Christmas
December 25, 2024 at 3:45 PM
Bixby wishes you all a very Merry and sophisticated Christmas
Just finished season 2 of Shrinking and it has solidified itself as my favorite show of all time.
Highly highly recommend.
Highly highly recommend.
December 24, 2024 at 5:53 AM
Just finished season 2 of Shrinking and it has solidified itself as my favorite show of all time.
Highly highly recommend.
Highly highly recommend.
Reposted by TJ Hedin
🚨 New paper alert! 🚨 Co-authored with Jose Azar: Chapter 10 - Monopsony Power in the Labor Market, in the Handbook of Labor Economics. doi.org/10.1016/bs.h... Honored to contribute to this series that inspired me as a young researcher! 🙌 #EconSky 🧵
December 11, 2024 at 10:18 PM
🚨 New paper alert! 🚨 Co-authored with Jose Azar: Chapter 10 - Monopsony Power in the Labor Market, in the Handbook of Labor Economics. doi.org/10.1016/bs.h... Honored to contribute to this series that inspired me as a young researcher! 🙌 #EconSky 🧵