Ben Leyden
@benleyden.com
Economist at Cornell studying competition and innovation, digital markets, and the economics of information. Go Heels and Hoos.
benleyden.com
benleyden.com
Tomorrow as part of NABE’s virtual Econ Career Week, I’m moderating “From Application to Offer: Navigating the 2025–26 PhD Job Market.”
Our panelists will offer practical advice covering the full job market process.
🎙 Wednesday, August 20 at 2:00 PM ET
Register here 👉 www.nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
Our panelists will offer practical advice covering the full job market process.
🎙 Wednesday, August 20 at 2:00 PM ET
Register here 👉 www.nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
August 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Tomorrow as part of NABE’s virtual Econ Career Week, I’m moderating “From Application to Offer: Navigating the 2025–26 PhD Job Market.”
Our panelists will offer practical advice covering the full job market process.
🎙 Wednesday, August 20 at 2:00 PM ET
Register here 👉 www.nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
Our panelists will offer practical advice covering the full job market process.
🎙 Wednesday, August 20 at 2:00 PM ET
Register here 👉 www.nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
AI Assistants — They’re just like us!
July 9, 2025 at 11:57 PM
AI Assistants — They’re just like us!
New write-up of my paper “Platform Design & Innovation Incentives” is up on Platform Papers! Apple’s old App Store rating rules curbed app updates, likely slowing product innovation. Thoughtful platform design matters. #econsky
Platform Design Can Stifle Innovation
Lessons from Apple’s iOS App Store rating system
platformpapers.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
New write-up of my paper “Platform Design & Innovation Incentives” is up on Platform Papers! Apple’s old App Store rating rules curbed app updates, likely slowing product innovation. Thoughtful platform design matters. #econsky
Today’s edition: I got my car’s annual inspection on Friday. So naturally, I got a call from the dealer today telling me a survey from Ford was on the way “and anything below a 5 is failing.”
June 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Today’s edition: I got my car’s annual inspection on Friday. So naturally, I got a call from the dealer today telling me a survey from Ford was on the way “and anything below a 5 is failing.”
Reposted by Ben Leyden
One of grants frozen at Cornell: $6.7M (4 yrs) to develop heart pumps for babies born w/ heart defects.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
Research at risk: Life-saving heart pumps for babies | Cornell Chronicle
After receiving a stop-work order from the federal government, the future of a device to help children with heart defects is uncertain.
news.cornell.edu
May 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
One of grants frozen at Cornell: $6.7M (4 yrs) to develop heart pumps for babies born w/ heart defects.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
I’m sad to see Alpine go! It was a defining part of my time at Carolina. RIP Butch’s Mile High (is it even attributed to Butch anymore?). 🥯
#BREAKING: A longtime staple in the UNC student union is reaching its final days.
Alpine Bagel Cafe will permanently close after a final day of operations on Friday, UNC confirmed to Chapelboro. Here are the details:
Alpine Bagel Cafe will permanently close after a final day of operations on Friday, UNC confirmed to Chapelboro. Here are the details:
Alpine Bagel Cafe Set to Close in UNC's Student Union - Chapelboro.com
Alpine Bagel Cafe, located within UNC's student union, shared a message with customers claiming it would permanently close on Friday, May 9.
chapelboro.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I’m sad to see Alpine go! It was a defining part of my time at Carolina. RIP Butch’s Mile High (is it even attributed to Butch anymore?). 🥯
Reposted by Ben Leyden
My friend Brent Neiman is doing God's work to show that these tariffs are ridiculous, even within the terms of the stated goals of the policy -- which are also ridiculous. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/o...
Opinion | Why Trump’s Tariff Math Is a Joke
A look inside the administration’s methodology is a real eye-opener.
www.nytimes.com
April 7, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My friend Brent Neiman is doing God's work to show that these tariffs are ridiculous, even within the terms of the stated goals of the policy -- which are also ridiculous. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/o...
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Really interesting article on how a number of European national regulators are pushing Apple to rollback the ATT (App Tracking Transparency) policy, on antitrust grounds.
mobiledevmemo.com/could-att-be...
mobiledevmemo.com/could-att-be...
Could ATT be rolled back? | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
Could ATT be rolled back?. Mobile marketing and advertising, freemium monetization strategy, and marketing science. Mobile Dev Memo.
mobiledevmemo.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Really interesting article on how a number of European national regulators are pushing Apple to rollback the ATT (App Tracking Transparency) policy, on antitrust grounds.
mobiledevmemo.com/could-att-be...
mobiledevmemo.com/could-att-be...
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Join us at the 2nd Workshop on Text-as-Data in Economics!
Keynotes:
- Andreas Hoefele (Ofcom)
- Arianna Ornaghi (Hertie School)
- Carlo Schwarz (Bocconi University)
When: May 15-16
Where: Lancaster, UK
Submit by March 17
Info at: sites.google.com/view/text-as...
Keynotes:
- Andreas Hoefele (Ofcom)
- Arianna Ornaghi (Hertie School)
- Carlo Schwarz (Bocconi University)
When: May 15-16
Where: Lancaster, UK
Submit by March 17
Info at: sites.google.com/view/text-as...
February 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Join us at the 2nd Workshop on Text-as-Data in Economics!
Keynotes:
- Andreas Hoefele (Ofcom)
- Arianna Ornaghi (Hertie School)
- Carlo Schwarz (Bocconi University)
When: May 15-16
Where: Lancaster, UK
Submit by March 17
Info at: sites.google.com/view/text-as...
Keynotes:
- Andreas Hoefele (Ofcom)
- Arianna Ornaghi (Hertie School)
- Carlo Schwarz (Bocconi University)
When: May 15-16
Where: Lancaster, UK
Submit by March 17
Info at: sites.google.com/view/text-as...
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Since federal health information is getting harder to come by, I thought I'd share this new resource. Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine launched an online Avian Flu Resource Center--a one-stop clearinghouse for trustworthy information on bird flu.
www.vet.cornell.edu/highly-patho...
www.vet.cornell.edu/highly-patho...
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Resource Center
What is "bird flu" and why is it in the news so much lately?Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as "bird flu," is circulating now in the United States and much of the world. This stra...
www.vet.cornell.edu
February 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Since federal health information is getting harder to come by, I thought I'd share this new resource. Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine launched an online Avian Flu Resource Center--a one-stop clearinghouse for trustworthy information on bird flu.
www.vet.cornell.edu/highly-patho...
www.vet.cornell.edu/highly-patho...
Reposted by Ben Leyden
The US WW2 medical research and development effort catalyzed postwar science, modernized drug discovery, and fueled the postwar National Institutes of Health — reshaping biomedical innovation for decades, from Daniel P. Gross and Bhaven N. Sampat https://www.nber.org/papers/w33457
February 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The US WW2 medical research and development effort catalyzed postwar science, modernized drug discovery, and fueled the postwar National Institutes of Health — reshaping biomedical innovation for decades, from Daniel P. Gross and Bhaven N. Sampat https://www.nber.org/papers/w33457
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Modern supply chains don't look like trade theory 101!
They involve constant border crossings, each now hit by tariffs.
Tariffs raise prices, but the more important thing they do is disrupt supply relationships.
1/
They involve constant border crossings, each now hit by tariffs.
Tariffs raise prices, but the more important thing they do is disrupt supply relationships.
1/
February 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Modern supply chains don't look like trade theory 101!
They involve constant border crossings, each now hit by tariffs.
Tariffs raise prices, but the more important thing they do is disrupt supply relationships.
1/
They involve constant border crossings, each now hit by tariffs.
Tariffs raise prices, but the more important thing they do is disrupt supply relationships.
1/
Sometimes Apple Intelligence gets it right.
February 2, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Sometimes Apple Intelligence gets it right.
Reposted by Ben Leyden
It's not often that a theory paper piques my interest these days*, but this by @snageebali.bsky.social and coauthors, on the logic behind zero-sum thinking by voters, is just brilliant -- and so relevant and urgent! www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
The Political Economy of Zero-Sum Thinking - The Econometric Society
www.econometricsociety.org
January 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It's not often that a theory paper piques my interest these days*, but this by @snageebali.bsky.social and coauthors, on the logic behind zero-sum thinking by voters, is just brilliant -- and so relevant and urgent! www.econometricsociety.org/publications...
Apple’s Sports app is awful. It *simultaneously* reports 18 seconds left with scores in the 80s, a 74-76 loss for the Heels, and a 102-96 win (see box score).
Maybe we don’t need to worry about self-preferencing after all…
Maybe we don’t need to worry about self-preferencing after all…
January 25, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Apple’s Sports app is awful. It *simultaneously* reports 18 seconds left with scores in the 80s, a 74-76 loss for the Heels, and a 102-96 win (see box score).
Maybe we don’t need to worry about self-preferencing after all…
Maybe we don’t need to worry about self-preferencing after all…
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Looking forward to my very first poster presentation at #ASSA2025! I'll be in the 'Highlighted Posters' row today and tomorrow around lunchtime -- if you're attending, stop by to chat and say hi!
January 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Looking forward to my very first poster presentation at #ASSA2025! I'll be in the 'Highlighted Posters' row today and tomorrow around lunchtime -- if you're attending, stop by to chat and say hi!
Reposted by Ben Leyden
This is wild: the Honey chrome extension for coupons effective “steals” the affiliate link sale for every purchase you make by overriding the affiliate code where you clicked from - even if it doesn’t find you a coupon youtu.be/vc4yL3YTwWk
Exposing the Honey Influencer Scam
YouTube video by MegaLag
youtu.be
December 23, 2024 at 2:57 PM
This is wild: the Honey chrome extension for coupons effective “steals” the affiliate link sale for every purchase you make by overriding the affiliate code where you clicked from - even if it doesn’t find you a coupon youtu.be/vc4yL3YTwWk
Reposted by Ben Leyden
All research groups @ UCL School of Management are recruiting new PhD students: Org. Behaviour, Strategy, Operations, Marketing, & Financial Econ.
Great education & research environment!
Students receive full scholarship+generous stipend.
Apply by Jan 1: www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/phd
youtu.be/Rl2tHlXZUIM
Great education & research environment!
Students receive full scholarship+generous stipend.
Apply by Jan 1: www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/phd
youtu.be/Rl2tHlXZUIM
MRes & PhD in Management | UCL School of Management
YouTube video by UCL School of Management
youtu.be
December 19, 2024 at 1:03 PM
All research groups @ UCL School of Management are recruiting new PhD students: Org. Behaviour, Strategy, Operations, Marketing, & Financial Econ.
Great education & research environment!
Students receive full scholarship+generous stipend.
Apply by Jan 1: www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/phd
youtu.be/Rl2tHlXZUIM
Great education & research environment!
Students receive full scholarship+generous stipend.
Apply by Jan 1: www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/phd
youtu.be/Rl2tHlXZUIM
I haven't had a chance to test this out, so I can't comment on the specifics of this product. But our students are already using LLMs-often badly-so I'm glad to see serious attempts to develop this technology specifically for educational purposes.
Super excited to publicly launch "All Day TA" (http://www.alldayta.com), a product @joshgans.bsky.social and I have been working on with our team over the last year. Short version: if you teach in spring, you will want to use this! It's the future of higher education. A short thread: 1/x
December 14, 2024 at 10:47 PM
I haven't had a chance to test this out, so I can't comment on the specifics of this product. But our students are already using LLMs-often badly-so I'm glad to see serious attempts to develop this technology specifically for educational purposes.
Reposted by Ben Leyden
Our call for papers has been posted! Get ready for #IIOC2025 May 2-4 in Philadelpha. Submission deadline 1/31.
www.indorgsociety.org/conference
www.indorgsociety.org/conference
International Industrial Organization Conference | Industrial Organization Society
www.indorgsociety.org
December 13, 2024 at 8:54 PM
Our call for papers has been posted! Get ready for #IIOC2025 May 2-4 in Philadelpha. Submission deadline 1/31.
www.indorgsociety.org/conference
www.indorgsociety.org/conference
Reposted by Ben Leyden
My 14 month old after I wipe his face for two seconds
December 13, 2024 at 10:09 PM
My 14 month old after I wipe his face for two seconds
Great win by the Heels!
Queens of college soccer once again: Olivia Thomas kicks in the 23rd #UNC national championship in a thrilling 1-0 victory over Wake Forest in the Women's College Cup final. tarheeltribune.com/2...
Queens of college soccer again: Thomas kicks in 23rd UNC national championship
CARY — Olivia Thomas kicked in a sensational finish to North Carolina’s dream season, restoring the Tar Heels’ place as the queens of college soccer. Thomas’ goal in the 62nd minute ended a 12-year…
tarheeltribune.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:09 AM
Great win by the Heels!
Reposted by Ben Leyden
I'm very excited to join the Brooks School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics at @cornelluniversity.bsky.social in January. And we're hiring pre-doc fellows in development economics! Great 1–2 year PhD preparation. Please share widely! cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
December 9, 2024 at 11:49 PM
I'm very excited to join the Brooks School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics at @cornelluniversity.bsky.social in January. And we're hiring pre-doc fellows in development economics! Great 1–2 year PhD preparation. Please share widely! cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...