Jonathan Libgober (same handle on other places)

Surprising math fact of the day: a monkey is hitting keys at random (uniformly, independently & at constant speed) on a keyboard. The expected value of the time T₁ it takes to type “abracadabra” is greater than the expected value of the time T₂ it takes to type “abracadabrz”.

Journals have an explicit policy of not publishing AI authored work. So what will that mean here? They can't stop AI contributing to knowledge. Can they stop it being cited?

I just got a paper rejected, but with one of the most helpful reports I've seen in my life. Very positive, understood the paper perfectly, helpful old references I'd never heard of, great expositional comments, no requests for BS pointless extensions and the like

This is where Piker's “interview” really became a purity test. “Do you believe Israel has a right to exist in its current form as an ethnostate that’s currently being investigated for genocide at the International Court of Justice?” Raman answered, “Yes, I do believe that Israel has a right to exist,” but added that she wants countries to operate “without apartheid” and “with equality in their borders.” Hasan immediately followed up: “Do you believe that Israel is an apartheid state then?” Raman said, “I think that it is, yeah.” Then Hasan brought up her 2024 censure from DSA-LA over accepting the Democrats for Israel LA endorsement, asking whether, “knowing what we know now and seeing the videos of Gaza in ruins,” she would still seek it out. Raman said, “I wouldn’t seek it out now,” pointed to her ceasefire resolution, and then tried to bring the conversation back to what a mayor actually does: keeping Angelenos safe, protecting protest rights, and pushing back against both antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Zane is correct. To get in to an econ PhD, anything other than math classes or econ research is a waste of time. However I think it is sad for our profession that this is the case. Economists who write and spend time with policy makers or industry are much more influential.

I'm a former Harvard PhD student. Based on my experience, current social science students probably make a bit over $250k + healthcare over 5 years, with just 784 hours of required TA work. That's almost $320/hour for the "work" and the rest is classes and your own research.