Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thomas Masterson

@thomasmasterson.bsky.social

250 followers 300 following 190 posts

Senior Scholar and Director of Graduate Programs at Levy Economics Institute of Bard College

Videos

Economics 23%

Political science 16%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 1d

#WarRavagedPortland

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Keith W. Dickinson @keithwdickinson.bsky.social · 1d

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Pavlina R Tcherneva @ptcherneva.bsky.social · 2d

🏛️ Pleased to launch our new Capitol Hill Series.

We're convening congressional staffers, policymakers, and the public to examine critical economic issues with a distinguished panel of experts.

Registration is required.
Save your spot and join us in DC. connect.bard.edu/register/Lev...

Levy Institute @levyecon.bsky.social · 2d

As debates over monetary policy and central bank independence intensify, Levy is bringing the discussion to Capitol Hill with the launch of our new series.

Join us Nov 19 for "Rethinking the Federal Reserve’s Policy Framework and Independence."

connect.bard.edu/register/Lev...

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson, Pavlina R. Tcherneva

Levy Institute @levyecon.bsky.social · 2d

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Pavlina R Tcherneva @ptcherneva.bsky.social · 2d

I look forward to returning to Franklin & Marshall College to give the Will Lyons Memorial Lecture on Thursday, Oct 9.

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Thomas Masterson @thomasmasterson.bsky.social · 2d

Impact assessment of Ireland's basic income grants for artists: "for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return" Also, artists were less likely to feel they can't make ends meet, and spent more time making art.
assets.gov.ie/static/docum...

assets.gov.ie

Reposted by Thomas Masterson

JW Mason @jwmason.bsky.social · 2d

As the brilliant Michael Kinnucan points out, it's more than a bit strange that there's a debate over whether New York can afford universal childcare. New York already has universal childcare! Every single child is cared for by somebody. Small children are never left home all day by themselves.

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Reposted by Euan G. Ritchie, Lesley A. Hall, Roger Luckhurst , and 9 more Euan G. Ritchie, Lesley A. Hall, Roger Luckhurst, R. M. Wilson, Richard Davy, Brian Keegan, Fiona Moore, Thomas Masterson, Brooke Harrington, Karen O’Leary, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Catherine Spooner

Mike Sowden @mikeachim.bsky.social · 3d

Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...

Post from Threads user rodneyowl: "Ireland has declared the Basic Income for Artists scheme permanent. This will be officially announced in tomorrow’s budget. Details to follow. Congratulations to all who fought for it and the present and future artists of all sorts in Ireland. That includes me 👌We’re just comin to the end of a 3 year pilot scheme. It’s been a roaring success. For every €1 paid out to the 2000 participants, the government got €1.46 back. Can’t argue with that. Other countries are already taking note."

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Reposted by Stephen M. Walt, Will Jennings, Thomas Masterson , and 1 more Stephen M. Walt, Will Jennings, Thomas Masterson, Matthew P. McAllister

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 3d

Sounds like Republicans ought to get all the Republicans who form the Republican majorities in the Republican-led House and the Republican-led Senate together to pass the budget that Republicans wrote with the Republican White House and that Republicans now insist absolutely must be passed.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d

Sean Duffy says the safety of the air traffic control system will start being impacted next Sunday if the shutdown continues

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 @allthingsisheretoo.bsky.social · 3d

Reshare to spread the word. #fyp #politics
10stepscampaign.org

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Levy Institute @levyecon.bsky.social · 3d

Out now, from the Global Money Talk podcast, Sr. Scholar L. R. Wray discusses myths surrounding government finance and the irrationality of the 2% inflation target.

Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLZD...

2% inflation is completely Irrational | Prof. L. Randall Wray

YouTube video by Global Money Talk

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Schnorkles O'Bork @schnorkles.bsky.social · 4d

No ACA plans because premiums are too high, no disability, no food stamps. Oh also we closed all the hospitals.

RIP rurals.

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Reposted by Nandita Sharma, John McLaren, Efrén O. Pérez , and 10 more Nandita Sharma, John McLaren, Efrén O. Pérez, Clyde W. Barrow, Jonathan Hopkin, Mirya R. Holman, Anne Norton, Alfie Kohn, Ann Bartow, Henry Jones, Thomas Masterson, Manisha Sinha, David Darmofal

JLRay @jlray.bsky.social · 4d

A Texas megachurch pastor and GOP leader has been arrested for crimes against children. Not Robert Morris, a different one. Not Josiah Anthony, a different one. Not Luke Cunningham, a different one. Not Tony Evans, a different one. Not Scott Crenshaw, a different one. Not Steve Lawson, a different o

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 5d

FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to illegal immigrants.

FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to 'illegal immigrants'

This is false. Democrats say they are pushing for the inclusion of key health care provisions in the next congressional spending package.

bit.ly

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Daniel Connerton @lordnad.bsky.social · 5d

@govpritzker.illinois.gov

37 and Kedzie, East Garfield, Illinois.

This is assault.

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Levy Institute @levyecon.bsky.social · 6d

Government shutdowns add new challenges for monetary policy. Levy Scholar Yeva Nersisyan explains to ABC News how this could shape the Fed’s next moves.

Read now: abcnews.go.com/Business/gov...

Government shutdown halts release of economic data. The Fed may be 'flying blind' on interest rates, experts say.

The shutdown could prevent the release of a jobs report on Friday.

abcnews.go.com

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Levy Institute @levyecon.bsky.social · 7d

"[This is] another look at the weakening labor market..."

Listen to Institute President @ptcherneva.bsky.social on yesterday's Marketplace report: recent ADP data indicate a loss of 32,000 private jobs in September.

www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...

ADP reports private sector shed 32,000 jobs in September

The payroll processing firm found in its latest National Employment Report that the labor market just keeps going downhill, with most of the job losses hitting small and medium-sized business the hard...

www.marketplace.org

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Reposted by Elizabeth Warren, American Library Association, Scott A. Imberman , and 2 more Elizabeth Warren, American Library Association, Scott A. Imberman, Thomas Masterson, Dan Immergluck

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock @warnock.senate.gov · 8d

I was sent this by a Georgian this morning. 2025 premiums vs 2026 premiums for someone making $65k a year.

Republicans in Washington did this.

This is what I'm fighting to stop. This is what’s at stake in this shutdown fight.

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Stephen Nuñez @socio-steve.bsky.social · 8d

The worst part is how easily this frame is exploited by the right. Since second order effects > first order effects can be deployed against all sorts of reform proposals. "Ah ha, but your reform will do nothing at best and may actually make things worse (I won't provide specific numbers tho"

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson, Greg Linden

Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 9d

Why is it called the Department of War and not the Department of Ultimate War-Man Warring? Are we losing our edge? Can we get truck nuts on the tanks, perhaps?

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

Secretary of Defense Rock @sodrock.bsky.social · 9d

Lol

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Reposted by Thomas Masterson

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 9d

“To our enemies: FAFO”

(holds for applause that doesn’t come)

Cringey awkward moment as Hegseth summons all 🇺🇸 generals to hear him do a one-man show about how strong we are

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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Joseph Schafer, Carlos Nunes Silva , and 4 more Ben H. Ansell, Joseph Schafer, Carlos Nunes Silva, Elizabeth Stevenson, Thomas Masterson, Daxton R. Stewart, Peter Gratton

Don House @donniemarvelous.bsky.social · 10d

David Cross folks.

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Thomas Masterson @thomasmasterson.bsky.social · 10d

Not surprising:
theconversation.com/ending-taxes...

Ending taxes on home sales would benefit the wealthiest households most – part of a larger pattern in Trump tax plans

Most sellers already pay no tax, so the proposal’s benefits would flow to the richest.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Andrew Scott, Tim Bale , and 10 more Anna O. Law, Andrew Scott, Tim Bale, Jonathan M. Gilligan, Paul Davies, Daniel Woolf, John Foot, James Goodwin, Barrett, Dana R. Fisher, Ann Bartow, Thomas Masterson, Simon Lester

PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 @patriottakes.bsky.social · 10d

Pete Hegseth accidentally flipping a skateboard into his nuts on live TV

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Reposted by Jennifer Pett‐Ridge, Thomas Masterson

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 11d

🧑‍🌾 @timmiller.bsky.social on the Trump FARMER BAILOUT: “Tariffs caused a trade war, farmers can’t sell… and now you and I will have to pay them. The stupidest policy I think I’ve ever seen. A land speed record for policy disaster.”

The very tariffs he said would help them are killing them.

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Reposted by Manuela Moschella, Thomas Masterson

Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung (MPIfG) @mpifg.bsky.social · 13d

Thank you to all who joined us in Cologne this week for the 2nd Max Planck Summer School for Women in Political Economy! A fantastic line-up of speakers and participants, thoughtful discussions and global perspectives. Huge thanks to organizers @palmapolyak.bsky.social and @dustinvoss.bsky.social!

Pauline Kohlhase speaking in a group setting

Audience member speaking at a panel session

participant speaking in group discussion

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Reposted by Michel Lussault, Juan Cole, Christine Kooi , and 4 more Michel Lussault, Juan Cole, Christine Kooi, Sara M. Butler, Peter Stegmaier, Thomas Masterson, Simon Lester

Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 14d

The white supremacist conceit that everyone in antiquity was living under some kind of global jim crow segregation is just complete bullshit news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Pure bloodlines? Ancestral homelands? DNA science says no. — Harvard Gazette

Geneticist explains recent analyses made possible by tech advances show human history to be one of mixing, movement, displacement.

news.harvard.edu

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Thomas Masterson @thomasmasterson.bsky.social · 15d

If you don't like political violence, just shut up and let us keep doing fascism?

Reposted by Alan Richardson, Mark Rice, Thomas Masterson , and 1 more Alan Richardson, Mark Rice, Thomas Masterson, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 15d

Bessent on Argentina: "The plan is as long as President Milei continues with his strong economic policies to help him, to bridge him to the election, we are not going to let a disequilibrium in the market cause a backup in his substantial economic reforms."

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