The US just approved its first new sunscreen ingredient since the late 1990s. Alex Tabarrok has an idea to improve the process for sunscreen and medicine: automatically approve what's approved in similar countries. Listen to more, plus some skincare advice: www.npr.org/2026/07/20/n...

The strategic petroleum reserve is being drawn down at an incredibly fast rate and it didn't start with the Trump administration. When stockpiles are low, the reserves can't be filled out or drawn down as efficiently. In this week’s newsletter, I dug into what's going on tinyurl.com/indicatorjul...

Why was Google late to AI chat despite enormous talent & size? Sebastian Mallaby says Google was stuck in a 'triple innovator's dilemma': hallucinations would damage its credibility to consumers, chat could cannibalize search ads & toxic chats could alienate politicians www.npr.org/2026/07/09/n...

Why do hot wars keep happening? @chrisblattman.bsky.social says first of all, war is rare because it's so costly. When it happens it's because leaders' incentives aren't aligned with the public's, intangible incentives like revenge, uncertainty, commitment problems and misperceptions.

Did the Indicator pod with @planetmoney.bsky.social on inflation. Short and fun chat: www.npr.org/2026/06/18/n...

I'm happy to announce I'm writing a book on decision making! It's about the explore-exploit dilemma, a framework used in machine learning, psychology and ecology — but hasn't been adapted to an entire practical book before. Next step, writing it!

There are now businesses to certify your work as human-generated. @darianwoods.bsky.social profiles one and subjects The Indicator to the "H" test to prove we are not AI slop machines. lnk.to/q1KNPAjtWE

It's Friday! The Indicator is back with another newsletter ⚡ Texas is seeing unprecedented electricity demand. Can they meet it? 💸 There are so many other ways to tax the rich! Why are Americans obsessed with the income tax? 🎰 Insider trading is a problem. Why is it so tricky to stop? Read on

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Love The Indicator and need more numbers from the news explained to you? My colleague @cooperkatzmckim.bsky.social has launched a brilliant companion newsletter that will arrive in your inbox weekly if you sign up here: npr.org/indicatornewsletter

In New Zealand, diesel is now over US$7 a gallon. Yet the government is resisting calls to cut fuel taxes. I brought @ericcrampton.bsky.social onto The Indicator from @planetmoney.bsky.social to explain why.

Toronto! Join me and the team for the Planet Money book launch on April 27th at the @rotmanschool.bsky.social. All welcome. Tickets here: community.rotman.utoronto.ca/events/s/spe...

HOORAY, the Planet Money book is out today! We are so excited to get this book into all of your hands and we hope you enjoy it. It would be great to see you at one of our live shows too, especially if you are in Chicago! That's where I'll be on April 23! Exclamation points! planetmoneybook.com

New York: I'll see you tonight!

New: FOMC member and @clevelandfed.bsky.social president Beth Hammack rates the inflation outlook as "burnt orange" on a scale of red to green. "Inflation has been above our target for coming on five years."

Just in: CPI rose 2.4% annually in February, a window into US inflation before the Israel-American war with Iran.

Bazaaris funded Iran's 1979 revolution. They also led the huge recent protests. As the Internet ban lifted, I spoke to a small business owner in Tehran about why this group that had been so loyal to the regime are now turning against it. www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...

NYC! On April 6, I'm going to be telling economics stories with @marychilds.bsky.social, @amandaaronczyk.bsky.social, Alex Mayyasi with special guest Emily Oster. It's @planetmoney.bsky.social live at @92ndstreety.bsky.social!

Book your tickets to see me, @marychilds.bsky.social and @amandaaronczyk.bsky.social with Emily Oster at the Planet Money show on 92Y on April 6th!

A dream come true - I got to chip into one of my favorite podcasts, The Indicator from @planetmoney.bsky.social . (About whether “low” employment growth is necessarily bad news.) Thanks to @darianwoods.bsky.social for letting me contribute.

I'm looking to talk to someone about regrets. Specifically regrets about trying new things. Do you regret moving city? Taking on a new career? Dabbling across hobbies instead of focusing on one? DM me!

I spoke to @employamerica.bsky.social's @skandaamarnath.bsky.social for The Indicator. Skanda says Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh has had "persistent obsequiousness towards President Trump" and that "a decade of substance-free sycophancy on matters of monetary policy bodes poorly."

Chuffed to have been on NPR to discuss whether Europe can weaponise its massive pile of Treasuries, credit and stocks. Thanks for the invite @darianwoods.bsky.social! www.npr.org/2026/01/27/n...

As the dollar sell-off jolts the world, it was a breath of calm to speak to @robinwigglesworth.ft.com about the Sell America trade. Yes, European investors might pull back a little; no, a widespread investment sell-off is unlikely.

What's the Fed going to do on Wednesday? For The Indicator, I spoke with former Fed vice chair Lael Brainard. She'd cut rates 25 basis points with a pause after.

Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler @rthaler.bsky.social on whether AI might suffer from the winner's curse: "It certainly could be that way." The winner's curse: the tendency of auction winners to overpay. Poaching AI talent, bidding for compute may have the same dynamics. www.npr.org/2025/11/17/n...

Lily Allen's West End Girl might be the first album more people have read the lyrics to than have actually listened to

"If the world is going to split into the techno kings and the techno peasants, I better prove that I'm gonna stay on top" - @jasmine.bsky.social describing veiled AI anxiety in San Francisco for The Indicator

Why is every brand trying to be my BFF? Marketing expert Joe Burns calls this Your Cool Friend™ voice. He says while it once stood out, it's the new generic. More on The indicator podcast: www.npr.org/2025/03/31/1...