Fiona Scott Morton

The head of the FCC (presumably in the process of changing its name to the Ministry of Truth) would like to remind you that we no longer have free speech here in the US(SR), and you should not report any information that might upset Dear Leader

That’s a hard agree from me. I am genuinely astonished at the number of otherwise sensible commentators who still discuss his latest wild actions as if they’re within the parameters of the normal policy making process.

I agree with @joshgans.bsky.social - the METR/Redwood report is a startling read: metr.org/blog/2026-08...

I wonder why backers of the Paramount merger are resorting to shady astroturf operations like "Neighbors for Strong Communities," a fake organization with an address in Washington, DC that's a nondescript black door next to an Italian restaurant texting ppl in California about "Hollywood jobs"? Oh.

I did wonder which platform would cater to the demand for mean-spirited attacks on economists now that the market leader has been put out of business, but I didn't expect it to be The Economist.

Come join our group at Rotman. Applications open. jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...

Here's a fun little dive into corporate astroturfing in the USA: There's an "organization" called Neighbors for Strong Communities that lists no board members, staff or funders. The address on their website is a nondescript black door in Washington, DC next to an Italian restaurant. Seems legit!

Last year, I wrote about how awful it is that many states and cities are still using Facebook and X to communicate vital disaster information. We desperately need to fix this.

Does anyone else occasionally find their Economist newspaper app suddenly stops working? And you have to delete it, and its data, and download again. Annoying.

There are so many business models and uses for 3p app stores: protocols, curation for kids, curation for niche tastes, a way to distribute news to benefit newspapers, new tech ideas, nonprofit certifications like low carbon footprint, etc!

“Trump has rejected disaster aid for Democratic-run states at the highest rate in the 47-year history of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” Right now people in blue states are basically paying federal taxes as if they’re colonized territories of red states. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

Starmer's government is still on X, the platform that promotes hate and racism.

🔓 Artificial-intelligence competition in Europe: the role of DMA Article 6(7) 💡 The DMA’s Android AI access rules could curb #Google’s advantage, opening Europe’s #AI market to rivals and strengthening #innovation incentives 🔖 By @proffionasm.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/TO4KQke #EconSky

I am careful in my flight planning NOT to change planes in Frankfurt. Very risky. Surely hurts demand for United Airlines which is allied with Lufthansa

And now every government dept should, belatedly, follow.

In a recent essay, Solomon Center affiliated faculty @proffionasm.bsky.social and her co-author examine how the FTC’s settlement with major pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts may impact prescription drug costs and future antitrust enforcement in the sector. www.promarket.org/2026/05/22/t...

Great arguments explaining why the court got the wrong answer in the antitrust case against Meta.

🏢 How to secure the benefits of an EU-wide incorporation regime 🔍 @proffionasm.bsky.social and Reinhilde Veugelers analyse which elements of the proposal should be reinforced, and where improvements can be made. 🔗 Read here: buff.ly/oJ0tfVF #EconSky

Tonight we congratulate our friend Stephen Colbert and his writers, staff and crew for eleven years of excellence. Watch Colbert’s finale tonight, and then never watch CBS again.

Actually, Canada can annex all blue states and would be the most powerful country in the world. To join, US states need to agree to strict gun laws and universal healthcare.

Colorado doesn't need a governor beholden to out-of-state billionaires; it needs a governor who will fight for Coloradans. @philforcolorado.bsky.social

The US is an unreliable and deceitful ally now, and is doing its best to help Putin’s dictatorship commit unspeakable war crimes against a European democracy. It is a good thing if the US pulls out of Europe and stops pretending.

ALWAYS true. One of the great mysteries of American culture. How are they fooled every time? Or do they knowingly vote for a party that will harm them?

This is important!

OMG! I was born and raised in the south. I literally grew up calling a toilet a "commode". So "Taking a trump" or "I need to go sit on the trump" or exclaiming "Oh, TRUMP!!!" is fine with me. You know . . . trump happens.

Some reasons to be cheerful: -Trump's plummeting poll numbers; - Europe coalescing in response to Trump; -state AG's stoutly enforcing the law as fed law enforcement institutions buckle; -promising local news efforts as many legacy newspapers wither; -lower fed courts holding the line.

Germany insisted on delaying phase out of combustion engine. Iran war caused energy shock, et voilà: BYD was one of the fastest-growing brands in Germany in Q1, with a 135% rise in purchase queries for the Chinese EV heavyweight during that period. www.reuters.com/busi...

The pundit class hasn't awakened to the fact that Phil Weiser is likely to upset Michael Bennet in the CO Governor's race. Phil's a principled fighter and a good listener; Bennet has offered no reason for costing the state the benefits of his 17 years of Senate seniority.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has decided to push for a so-called pied-à-terre tax aimed at the ultrawealthy who primarily live outside New York City. She's set to propose a yearly tax surcharge on second homes in the city that are worth $5 million or more. nyti.ms/4ensGja

We rely on the state attorneys general and their ability to enforce our laws as never before. And they are rising to the occasion!

JD Vance has the opportunity for a v lucrative new venture: sell his services to the highest bidder to campaign for their opposition in any given election.

X this evening vs Bsky this evening

Magyar now polling third in the Iowa caucus.

From new Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar's acceptance speech tonight. This is the absolute BARE MINIMUM platform for any Democrat running for President in 2028.

It's not just that Orbán losing inspires hope in other competitive-autocratic countries ruled by right-wing nationalist authoritarians. It's that his loss materially changes things in those other countries, because he's been operating as a headquarters and funding source...

My first law review article, co-authored with @proffionasm.bsky.social, is forthcoming in UC Irvine Law Review: "State-Action Immunity for Climate Collaborations." We offer a novel solution to the antitrust problem posed by genuine private-sector climate collaborations. dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...

imagine if i happened to be a trillionaire and bought twitter and 80% of the stuff on the site was just about big pants. you couldn't escape it. just an endless deluge of big pants propaganda

👂 Listen to our latest podcast 'What the heck is a 28th Regime?' 🗣️ Tobias Tröger in conversation with host @rebeccawire.bsky.social, @proffionasm.bsky.social & Reinhilde Veugelers. 🔗 buff.ly/EtnGmTM

House Republicans are blocking a unanimous(!) agreement by the Senate to pay TSA, Coast Guard, and other essential employees There is zero question which party is creating chaos at the airports. It's the Republicans www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/u...

Trump wants you to believe he’s more powerful than he is - and that you have less power than you do. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will gather to remind one another where power actually resides in this democracy: with us, the people.

❓️ What the heck is a 28th Regime? 🎙️ In this episode of The Sound of Economics, @rebeccawire.bsky.social speaks about the European Union’s innovation hopes with @proffionasm.bsky.social, Reinhilde Veugelers & Tobias Tröger. 🔗 buff.ly/EtnGmTM

Trump FCC Chair Brendan Carr is a disgrace. The Trump Administration is walking away from its responsibility to protect consumers and competitive markets — putting corporate profits ahead of working families. California is stepping up to fill that void.