Giles
@gdeejay.bsky.social
Applied economist working in international development policy
πΉπ΄πΈπ§π»πΊπ«π―π¦πΊπ²π² (etc),
Mostly memes.
Sometimes post about #publicpolicy, research, data science, #PFM and #Rstats
Economist | Independent Consultant
All views my own
πΉπ΄πΈπ§π»πΊπ«π―π¦πΊπ²π² (etc),
Mostly memes.
Sometimes post about #publicpolicy, research, data science, #PFM and #Rstats
Economist | Independent Consultant
All views my own
Pinned
Giles
@gdeejay.bsky.social
Β· Oct 29
an_intro_to_r_for_policy_analysis
policyanalysislab.com
Dear #rstats,
Please find attached the alpha version of my book "An Introduction to R for Policy Analysis":
policyanalysislab.com/shared/r-for...
Unfortunately, the draft has been released too late to be considered for a Nobel prize, but I look forward to being nominated in 2026.
...
Please find attached the alpha version of my book "An Introduction to R for Policy Analysis":
policyanalysislab.com/shared/r-for...
Unfortunately, the draft has been released too late to be considered for a Nobel prize, but I look forward to being nominated in 2026.
...
Your guess is as good as mine, but I wouldn't discount the latter possibility.
January 16, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Your guess is as good as mine, but I wouldn't discount the latter possibility.
I'm putting in a lot of consulting proposals right now, but actively avoiding anything that has me fly into the US.
January 16, 2026 at 3:46 AM
I'm putting in a lot of consulting proposals right now, but actively avoiding anything that has me fly into the US.
Wait, why is Dick Tracy viewed so unfavourably?!
January 16, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Wait, why is Dick Tracy viewed so unfavourably?!
Mate, I live near the beach.
You'll be lucky to find me wearing shoes.
You'll be lucky to find me wearing shoes.
January 15, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Mate, I live near the beach.
You'll be lucky to find me wearing shoes.
You'll be lucky to find me wearing shoes.
... And that businesses seeking to undermine the RoL also undermine the system on which their prosperity rests.
The problem is that this can still be a profitable exercise for a firm able to extract a rent from lobbying in this way.
The problem is that this can still be a profitable exercise for a firm able to extract a rent from lobbying in this way.
January 15, 2026 at 11:07 PM
... And that businesses seeking to undermine the RoL also undermine the system on which their prosperity rests.
The problem is that this can still be a profitable exercise for a firm able to extract a rent from lobbying in this way.
The problem is that this can still be a profitable exercise for a firm able to extract a rent from lobbying in this way.
... There is also some great research on this, including this great paper by Professor Besley on the RoL during the industrial revolution:
jnchapman.com/assets/pdf/j...
jnchapman.com/assets/pdf/j...
jnchapman.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM
... There is also some great research on this, including this great paper by Professor Besley on the RoL during the industrial revolution:
jnchapman.com/assets/pdf/j...
jnchapman.com/assets/pdf/j...
I was engaged by a collection of legal societies to advise on the connection between the rule of law and economic growth last year.
The TLDR was that the RoL is a critical piece of institutional infrastructure for economic growth, development and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
...
The TLDR was that the RoL is a critical piece of institutional infrastructure for economic growth, development and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
...
had a really interesting conversation last night with an investor and died-in-the-wool capitalist where the conclusion was something like, most Americans don't realize that functioning capital markets and the rule of law are America's actual superpowers and those things could absolutely end
January 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM
I was engaged by a collection of legal societies to advise on the connection between the rule of law and economic growth last year.
The TLDR was that the RoL is a critical piece of institutional infrastructure for economic growth, development and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
...
The TLDR was that the RoL is a critical piece of institutional infrastructure for economic growth, development and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
...
π
I've actually really enjoyed Dostoevsky.
I remember reading Chomsky in the past and finding him needlessly verbose, like most academics.
This is why I'm letting myself skim or drop it if it feels like a slog.
I've actually really enjoyed Dostoevsky.
I remember reading Chomsky in the past and finding him needlessly verbose, like most academics.
This is why I'm letting myself skim or drop it if it feels like a slog.
January 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
π
I've actually really enjoyed Dostoevsky.
I remember reading Chomsky in the past and finding him needlessly verbose, like most academics.
This is why I'm letting myself skim or drop it if it feels like a slog.
I've actually really enjoyed Dostoevsky.
I remember reading Chomsky in the past and finding him needlessly verbose, like most academics.
This is why I'm letting myself skim or drop it if it feels like a slog.
I still have no idea what you're getting at.
January 15, 2026 at 10:33 PM
I still have no idea what you're getting at.
For my next book, I'm *reading "Manufacturing Consent" by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky.
*I've already started reading it and it seems like another one of those books that could have been a briefing or working paper. So I'm expecting that 'reading' will be selectivity skimming.
*I've already started reading it and it seems like another one of those books that could have been a briefing or working paper. So I'm expecting that 'reading' will be selectivity skimming.
January 15, 2026 at 10:20 PM
For my next book, I'm *reading "Manufacturing Consent" by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky.
*I've already started reading it and it seems like another one of those books that could have been a briefing or working paper. So I'm expecting that 'reading' will be selectivity skimming.
*I've already started reading it and it seems like another one of those books that could have been a briefing or working paper. So I'm expecting that 'reading' will be selectivity skimming.
It's only fair I add 'app developer' to my profile now.
January 15, 2026 at 3:55 AM
It's only fair I add 'app developer' to my profile now.
Actually, that's a lie. It's not solid garbage if judged against other stuff I've built with AI. This is just my first attempt at an android app, so I'll take the garbage.
January 15, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Actually, that's a lie. It's not solid garbage if judged against other stuff I've built with AI. This is just my first attempt at an android app, so I'll take the garbage.
It worked!
It's garbage, but it's pretty solid garbage for 30 minutes of messing around.
It's garbage, but it's pretty solid garbage for 30 minutes of messing around.
January 15, 2026 at 3:35 AM
It worked!
It's garbage, but it's pretty solid garbage for 30 minutes of messing around.
It's garbage, but it's pretty solid garbage for 30 minutes of messing around.
Apparently!
I was just playing around with Gemini's agent.
No idea what I'm doing.
I was just playing around with Gemini's agent.
No idea what I'm doing.
January 15, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Apparently!
I was just playing around with Gemini's agent.
No idea what I'm doing.
I was just playing around with Gemini's agent.
No idea what I'm doing.
(or 'contemplative inertia')
January 15, 2026 at 1:03 AM
(or 'contemplative inertia')
Listening to this great podcast episode on the book:
open.spotify.com/episode/2R8q...
I like the point that the underground man is stuck in a loop of 'nihilistic apathy'.
This gels well with the point the book makes that consciousness is a disease.
π€
open.spotify.com/episode/2R8q...
I like the point that the underground man is stuck in a loop of 'nihilistic apathy'.
This gels well with the point the book makes that consciousness is a disease.
π€
Episode #218 ... Dostoevsky - Notes From Underground
open.spotify.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Listening to this great podcast episode on the book:
open.spotify.com/episode/2R8q...
I like the point that the underground man is stuck in a loop of 'nihilistic apathy'.
This gels well with the point the book makes that consciousness is a disease.
π€
open.spotify.com/episode/2R8q...
I like the point that the underground man is stuck in a loop of 'nihilistic apathy'.
This gels well with the point the book makes that consciousness is a disease.
π€
A great TLDR of why the book might be a frustrating read:
π
π
January 14, 2026 at 11:52 PM
A great TLDR of why the book might be a frustrating read:
π
π
Having said all this, I can see myself reading this book again in the future as there's a lot to get through and I think I'd appreciate the first book more having read part two.
And I think that the book makes a lot of subtle points about the human condition that benefit from further reflection.
π€
And I think that the book makes a lot of subtle points about the human condition that benefit from further reflection.
π€
January 14, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Having said all this, I can see myself reading this book again in the future as there's a lot to get through and I think I'd appreciate the first book more having read part two.
And I think that the book makes a lot of subtle points about the human condition that benefit from further reflection.
π€
And I think that the book makes a lot of subtle points about the human condition that benefit from further reflection.
π€
...
One thing I will say about Dostoevsky, based on the books I've read, is that he can craft scenes that are both devastating and hilarious. I've frequently been floored by his writing, but have also laughed on several occasions.
ππΌ
One thing I will say about Dostoevsky, based on the books I've read, is that he can craft scenes that are both devastating and hilarious. I've frequently been floored by his writing, but have also laughed on several occasions.
ππΌ
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 PM
...
One thing I will say about Dostoevsky, based on the books I've read, is that he can craft scenes that are both devastating and hilarious. I've frequently been floored by his writing, but have also laughed on several occasions.
ππΌ
One thing I will say about Dostoevsky, based on the books I've read, is that he can craft scenes that are both devastating and hilarious. I've frequently been floored by his writing, but have also laughed on several occasions.
ππΌ
...
I'm also not going to rate a book higher to reflect the author's notoriety. My ratings are based on how much I enjoyed the piece, not an attempt to signal my superior taste in literature.
π§
...
I'm also not going to rate a book higher to reflect the author's notoriety. My ratings are based on how much I enjoyed the piece, not an attempt to signal my superior taste in literature.
π§
...
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 PM
...
I'm also not going to rate a book higher to reflect the author's notoriety. My ratings are based on how much I enjoyed the piece, not an attempt to signal my superior taste in literature.
π§
...
I'm also not going to rate a book higher to reflect the author's notoriety. My ratings are based on how much I enjoyed the piece, not an attempt to signal my superior taste in literature.
π§
...
...reminded me why I've read so many of his books recently.
I also think it was sufficient to emphasize the protagonist's (antagonist? π€) duality, while still being relatable.
...
I also think it was sufficient to emphasize the protagonist's (antagonist? π€) duality, while still being relatable.
...
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 PM
...reminded me why I've read so many of his books recently.
I also think it was sufficient to emphasize the protagonist's (antagonist? π€) duality, while still being relatable.
...
I also think it was sufficient to emphasize the protagonist's (antagonist? π€) duality, while still being relatable.
...
Done.
βββ
(Out of five)
Now you might ask, who am I to rate Dostoevsky 3/5, to which I'd reply "the reader".
Book one was my main reason for rating this lower than his other books as it was (intentionally) cryptic, which made it a slog.
Book two on the other hand was excellent and...
βββ
(Out of five)
Now you might ask, who am I to rate Dostoevsky 3/5, to which I'd reply "the reader".
Book one was my main reason for rating this lower than his other books as it was (intentionally) cryptic, which made it a slog.
Book two on the other hand was excellent and...
Never guess what I decided to read next:
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Done.
βββ
(Out of five)
Now you might ask, who am I to rate Dostoevsky 3/5, to which I'd reply "the reader".
Book one was my main reason for rating this lower than his other books as it was (intentionally) cryptic, which made it a slog.
Book two on the other hand was excellent and...
βββ
(Out of five)
Now you might ask, who am I to rate Dostoevsky 3/5, to which I'd reply "the reader".
Book one was my main reason for rating this lower than his other books as it was (intentionally) cryptic, which made it a slog.
Book two on the other hand was excellent and...