Sign in

Zak Taylor

@mzak.bsky.social
1K followers 636 following 1.2K posts

Prof. of public policy at Georgia Tech. My posts don't represent my university or USG. They are random reads & vents that I find interesting or provocative.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 13h
We’ve been talking about this for years. None of these far-right movements are organic.
402165995995
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 14h
What is the impact of the Ukraine war on US gasoline and diesel prices? None.
4343162
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Jennifer N. Victor @jenvictor.bsky.social · 14h
Science is doing essential reporting on the decimation of NSF social science funding. We need public accounting. If you’ve benefited from an NSF grant from SBE, add to this 🧵. Tell the world what was funded that will not be funded from NSF anymore. I’ll start… www.science.org/content/arti...
Graph showing the number of NSF grants over 7 years—moving to zero in 2026.
37039
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT @mikezaccardi.bsky.social · 19h
MS: UST yields are rising with nominal GDP, a relationship that has held across cycles. With growth near 6%, higher rates seem to reflect strength, not stress.
061
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Remarkable: As of now, Latino early vote is outpacing where it was at same time in 2024 in both percentages of vote share and in RAW VOTE TOTALS. That's big. Presidential turnout is usually higher than midterms. I obtained new analysis from Dem firm TargetSmart: newrepublic.com/article/2164...
401545379
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 20h
aeon.co/videos/manha...
aeon.co
Manhattan’s evolution over centuries captured via meticulous animation | Aeon Videos
From Lenape land to sprawling metropolis, this detailed timelapse animation captures the making of Manhattan
052
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Nailed it. 🔨
24289383426
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
1) has agreed to withdraw its forces and stop hostilities, on terms accepted by Ukraine's free and independent government; 2) poses no immediate military threat to any NATO member; and 3) recognizes Ukrainians' right to choose their own government freely. 2/
010
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The United States is now officially allied with Vladimir Putin and Russia. We will fund Russia’s genocidal war machine in exchange for Putin helping Trump and the Republican Party in the midterms. One of the most shameful and disgusting days in the history of this Republic.
53897973684
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
This would sink a presidency in any other era. I would bet most Americans will never hear it even happened.
wapo.st
Trump bought over $1 million in SpaceX debt days before unveiling space policy
The purchase, revealed in his latest financial disclosure, involved a firm directly affected by his administration’s actions — and led by presidential ally Elon Musk.
6238541400
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I'm not necessarily opposed to the death penalty. But turning executions into public spectacles is both ghoulish and inspires copycats who infamy. Don't feed death cults! And don't give terrorists a public stage!
020
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
“This is what crowd out looks like.” - Jason Furman
581080425
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
> @apnews.com #measles apnews.com/article/meas...
59886475
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Accept my imaginary, arbitrary, personalist worldview or you are THE ENEMY.
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
There's something about social media & AI Tech-bros who either never really grasped social relations (or failed at them) and therefore think: what a relief it would be to replace human interaction with technology! But have no clue how much their inventions undermine society.
141
Reposted by Zak Taylor
LiL'Silver @officiallilsilver.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
How a movement can check an authoritarian, w/ Erica Chenoweth @indivisible.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=vffF...
youtube.com
How a movement can check an authoritarian, w/ Erica Chenoweth
YouTube video by Indivisible
043
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
news.gallup.com/poll/710810/...
news.gallup.com
U.S. Support for LGBTQ+ Issues Remains Down From Peak
Since 2021, fewer Americans have said that gay or lesbian relations and changing one's gender are morally acceptable and have favored legal same-sex marriage.
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"By using AI, tasks like essays that used to take hours can be completed in minutes!" Sure, like how if I arrive at the gym and immediately go for a shower, my workout is done in record time. And if I throw my sandwiches straight in the bin, I can finish my lunch in under 10 seconds.
7070151920
Reposted by Zak Taylor
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 06/10/2026
interesting that conservatives were militantly “we must reward hustle” when the target was affirmative action at elite universities and now, when faced with the success of south asians and other groups, it is “i think we are too meritocratic”
19370401104
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Toby Nangle @tobyn.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Better not show this to the President, via the NY Fed libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/10/how-...
Chart titled "Tariffs raised consumer goods price inflation"
26722
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Geoff Brumfiel @gbrumfiel.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The IceCube neutrino detector has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics. The Trump administration has proposed slashing its budget in half in 2027.
392031712
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Rhodium Group @rhg.com · 29/09/2026
Read more about what the price gap means for the financing environment for China's AI companies:
rhg.com
Examining China's AI Financing
We examine how China’s AI firms finance their operations and evaluate their scope and sustainability, including a comparative perspective with US firms.
012
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Great discussion
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
We will never again be a democracy if we don't get the big money out of American politics. There should not be any higher priority. davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/one-priori...
davidrothkopf.substack.com
One Priority Above All Others
We Must Drain the Poison Out of Our Body Politic If There Is to Be a Better World After Trump
331304323
Reposted by Zak Taylor
MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 04/10/2026
🚨 NEWS: A 28-year-old researcher at a Russian anti-plague institute has died following a suspected lab accident in Siberia. Nearly 200 people are reportedly under observation and hospitals have been quarantined amid concerns over possible pneumonic plague.
meidasnews.com
Russian Lab Worker Dies After Suspected Plague Accident as Quarantines Expand
A 28-year-old worker at a Russian anti-plague institute has died following a suspected laboratory accident in Siberia, with nearly 200 people under observation and conflicting accounts emerging from R...
2171968865
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Is China broken? Great discussion: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
podcasts.apple.com
Broken China with Logan Wright
Podcast Episode · Geoeconomic Competition · September 1 · 48m
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
What a lie. Some of these people are being imprisoned indefinitely in squalid condition in African prisons. Others report being beaten and arbitrarily deported in violation of international law back to their home countries, where they face persecution or torture.
The indefinite nature of their confinement has taken a severe toll. In October 2025, a Cuban man who was on the July flight went on a hunger strike for a month-until he started showing signs of organ failure —to protest the conditions of his detention, including his ongoing confinement and lack of access to legal counsel.
Terrified of being imprisoned in Eswatini forever, another man repeatedly told his attorney that the prison there never lets people go. One man told his attorney that he feels like a caged animal with no end in sight. The prison does not have air conditioning, making the hot, humid summer months especially uncomfortable for the men.
Food is insufficient, medication is scarce, and requests often go unmet or are belatedly met.
751956769
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I don't think one can manage a highly complex, diverse, and technologically advanced 21st economy by hiring top policymakers using vibe, rumor, and mudslinging.
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Chrononaut @chrononaut.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
"I know 90 pound female drone operators in Ukraine with more confirmed kills than smallpox. Your post goes hard if you don't know jack shit about modern warfare."
52951160
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
CNN and ABC are "fake news," while political propaganda is dressed up as "real news." The scope and depth of the con is epic.
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Please consider applying to be my department chair: iac.gatech.edu/about/public...
iac.gatech.edu
Chair Search for Georgia Tech School of Public Policy
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
When will US debt begin to hurt? Size matters less than service. Interest payments constitute immediate claims on govt resources, but high debt-ratios can remain manageable if financing conditions are good. Debt service is the thing that fiscally constrains the king. www.nber.org/digest/20261...
nber.org
What Leads to Fiscal Adjustment?
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Does immigration help US economic growth and productivity? www.nber.org/digest/20261...
nber.org
Where Immigrants Settle and US Economic Growth
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The service academies aren't the only institutions in the US being destroyed as universities. But they're the only federal public universities in the US at all, and they play an important role in training the armed forces' leadership, which ultimately means... www.stripes.com/branches/arm...
stripes.com
West Point professor fired after pushing back on limitations to teaching climate change, lawsuit says
Adam Kalkstein pushed back after department officials barred faculty from teaching that humans contribute to climate change, the lawsuit says.
212944
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"Trump Pledges That If Voters Defeat Socialism In November, They Will Each Get An Equal Redistribution Of Wealth From The Government"
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 30/09/2026
There are many safe and secure ways to vote. Voters should make a plan to vote early and look to local election officials for information: bit.ly/3UjBBrc
04416
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
But that's the whole fulcrum of right-wing conspiracy theories. A bad thing X happened...and govt plays a vague role in X...therefore it's a black op! And if you can't find govt playing a role, that's further proof it's a black op!
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Yesterday, Trump’s America dot gov site answered factual questions like “who won the 2020 election” accurately. Today, it no longer does.
Daniel Dale 
@ddale8
X.com
Yesterday, asked about its chatbot's many debunkings of Trump, the White House said it "will continue to be updated to provide more features, resources, and the most accurate information from the federal government."
Today...lots of accurate answers have been simply forbidden, with the chatbot framing information like who won the 2020 election as forbidden "political commentary." x.com/ddale8/status/...

Daniel Dale * @ddale8 • 20m
Yesterday: Trump administration chatbot says it's not true that Trump inherited the worst inflation in history.
Today: Says it can't answer such questions...
13243124
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Opinion Today @opiniontoday.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Gap Between the Rich and the Very, Very Rich Is Getting Wider 🎁Gift article: www.wsj.com/economy/the-...
wsj.com
The Gap Between the Rich and the Very, Very Rich Is Getting Wider
The 0.1% are worth $28 trillion, or about 15% of the nation’s total wealth. The average wealth for a household in this group is over $200 million.
045
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Here’s Where Media Insiders Actually Get Their News www.culturedmag.com/article/2026...
culturedmag.com
Here’s Where Media Insiders Actually Get Their News
There’s a glut of information, entertainment, and everything in between out there. We asked 10 media-savvy people how they stay on top of it all.
2012716
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I disagree. When united and properly motivated, the American people can a lot in a very short time. R/n, I'd guesstimate the US can be back on track towards peak competitiveness in 2-5 years.
010
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Georgia Tech now ranks #1 in public US colleges with the best return on investment! www.cnbc.com/2026/09/29/p...
cnbc.com
These private and public colleges have the best return on investment, according to The Princeton Review
With increasing emphasis on the return on investment, The Princeton Review's new college ranking measures academics, affordability and career outcomes.
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A central flaw with US democracy is that we elect based on "ability to campaign" rather than "ability to govern." Until we solve that problem, our political-economic system will never be fully effective. We can't manage a 21st century economy with an 18th century political system.
001
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
MAGA: we love China and welcome Xi with high honors! In fact, let's sell arms to China and delay sales to Taiwan. Also MAGA: China is the primary threat to US elections manufacturing, jobs, and the economy. They must be stopped!
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Edward Wong @ewong.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Extraordinary for any American president: Trump offered to sell weapons to Xi Jinping of China. That was revealed by David Perdue, US ambassador. Trump is withholding a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan approved by Congress. China aids Iran and Russia. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says (Gift Article)
President Trump made the offer to Xi Jinping, China’s leader, said David Perdue, the U.S. ambassador to China. Trump is withholding a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan.
22211144
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Dear Congress: Here’s What You Should Ask A.I. Leaders www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Dear Congress: Here’s What You Should Ask A.I. Leaders
This is what Congress needs to do to rein in frontier A.I. development.
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Four Midterm Races That Matter Most www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Four Midterm Races That Matter Most
Four swing states will soon elect the official who will run the 2028 presidential election. The candidates are alarming.
000
Zak Taylor @mzak.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“Conservatives have every right to influence and change the culture, as progressives assuredly have done. But they should do it Ronald Reagan’s way: by moral inspiration and persuasion, not force majeure.” www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Has Finally Lost the Plot
It is now apparent that many Americans — probably enough Americans — are determined to live within the truth rather than the lie.
000
Reposted by Zak Taylor
Opinion Today @opiniontoday.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Groceries, food, and gas are the top items viewed as having become more expensive due to Trump’s tariff policy. “Everything” was also a top response. (@navigatorsurvey.bsky.social) More, via Opinion Today: opiniontoday.substack.com/p/260923
084