Joshua Gans' Newsletter

Joshua Gans' Newsletter focuses on analyzing impacts and responses to COVID-19 across various fields including economics, education, health protocols, and technology. It explores pandemic management strategies, vaccine distribution, data management in health crises, and the adaptation of businesses and societal structures amidst the pandemic, emphasizing on innovation and the need for swift adaptation.

Pandemic Management Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Education and COVID-19 Health Protocols and Screening Vaccine Development and Distribution Data Management in Health Crises Technological Adaptations to Pandemics Business Adaptation and Strategy Public Health Communication Societal Changes due to COVID-19

The hottest Substack posts of Joshua Gans' Newsletter

And their main takeaways

The NYT needs a mathematics editor

0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 16
🎭️ Culture Media
  1. The article highlights the importance of understanding numerical data in relation to benchmarks for accurate interpretation.
  2. It emphasizes the responsibility of editors to ensure accurate statistical representation in published content.
  3. The discussion points out the potential for misinformation and the need for nuanced evaluations of data before drawing conclusions.

Twitter needed strategy

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 16
🕹 Technology Social media Strategy Innovation Entrepreneurship
  1. Twitter lacked a clear strategy compared to Facebook, affecting its growth and innovation.
  2. Entrepreneurial strategy involves clear initial choices like defining customers, technology, identity, and competition.
  3. Twitter's lack of a founding strategy still hinders its development and understanding, suggesting it might need a fundamental change to reach its full potential.

Gender Discrimination in Scientific Credit

0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 16
🔬 Science Research Gender bias Collaborations
  1. Gender discrimination in scientific credit can impact academic careers, especially for collaborations involving women.
  2. Research suggests a systemic bias in scientific credit, with women being denied full credit for collaborative work with men.
  3. Theoretical models and empirical results reveal complexities in understanding gender biases in scientific credit allocation.

A word about #TweetFlap2016

0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 16
🕹 Technology Social media
  1. The author believes that word limits and character limits on platforms like Twitter are beneficial for communication.
  2. Twitter users have developed social norms around crafting concise tweets with hashtags, and increasing the character limit could disrupt this.
  3. The evolution and use of platforms like Twitter is now largely guided by users and social norms, rather than the platform itself.
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Creative Destruction and Inequality

0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 16
🔬 Science Innovation Entrepreneurship Inequality Economics
  1. Entrepreneurship can decrease inequality if things are working as they should. However, it involves complex factors like income distribution changes and wealth management.
  2. Innovation and entrepreneurship can impact top income inequality positively, but can also lead to social mobility. The relationship between innovation and inequality is influenced by various barriers.
  3. Entrepreneurship and innovation may increase income inequality by displacing successful entrepreneurs from the past, leading to a decrease in the overall growth rate. The complex relationship between growth, risk, and income distribution needs more research.

The Entrepreneurship/Inequality Myth

0 implied HN points • 03 Jan 16
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Inequality Startups Economic Theory Philanthropy
  1. The common belief that entrepreneurship and inequality are inherently linked is likely a myth. There is no strong theoretical or moral basis to support this link, and empirical evidence is inconclusive.
  2. Entrepreneurship, if done right, can actually reduce inequality. The financial rewards gained by entrepreneurs can come from reallocating resources in ways that decrease inequality, not increase it.
  3. Some successful entrepreneurs, like Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, choose to give away their wealth, indicating that not all entrepreneurs prioritize personal consumption over reducing inequality. This challenges the idea that a larger slice of the economic pie is necessary for entrepreneurship.

Star Treks Ground Zero Copyright Battle

0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 15
🎭️ Culture Movies Copyright Fandom
  1. Paramount and CBS are suing the makers of Axanar, an independent Star Trek film, for copyright violation.
  2. One reason for the lawsuit could be to protect CBS's upcoming Star Trek series, but the exact harm to the series is uncertain.
  3. The case raises questions about the necessity of strong copyright protection for derivative works, such as fan films, that might be of high quality even without the protection.

Rey’s Star Wars secret lies in the prequels

0 implied HN points • 30 Dec 15
  1. Rey's origin in Star Wars may be tied to the prequels, suggesting clues in Skywalker lineage and potential cloning.
  2. The theory of Rey being a clone of Anakin Skywalker, created by the Emperor as a Jedi breeding project, is intriguing.
  3. Exploring Rey's character through the lens of prequels offers a less convoluted take on her origins compared to existing theories.

Who should control your cars software

0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 15
🕹 Technology Autonomous Vehicles Data Privacy
  1. Ownership and control of a car's software is a complex issue, especially in the context of autonomous vehicles.
  2. The debate boils down to whether third parties like manufacturers or governments should have the power to restrict user's ability to alter software for safety reasons.
  3. Maintaining transparency and user control over software modifications may be crucial to balance safety and individual liberties in the era of autonomous vehicles.

Free content and net neutrality

0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 15
🕹 Technology Regulation
  1. Net neutrality can impact deals that offer free content to consumers, raising questions on its application and implications.
  2. Concerns arise over potential violations of net neutrality principles when ISPs favor some content over others by providing it more affordably to consumers.
  3. Regulation needs to address complex issues beyond simply adopting net neutrality as a principle, requiring careful consideration of ISP pricing strategies and content access.

Integrity and body cameras

0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 15
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Accountability Data Integrity
  1. Body cameras can serve as a tool for police accountability, but for them to be truly effective, the camera data should be managed by a neutral third party to ensure integrity and prevent misuse.
  2. Having an independent third party manage body camera footage can enhance transparency, credibility, and protection for police officers by reducing suspicions of tampering or misuse.
  3. Simply implementing technology like body cameras is not enough; ensuring the integrity of the data produced by the technology is crucial for its effectiveness and impact.

Is Uber disruptive?

0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 15
💼 Business Innovation Competition Regulation Technology
  1. Uber doesn't fit the traditional definition of a disruptive innovation, as it entered the mainstream market first before appealing to overlooked segments.
  2. Regulated industries like taxis often don't innovate, giving room for disruptors like Uber to succeed.
  3. Uber's success challenges the idea that only disruptive innovations can compete against established firms; they thrived with sustaining innovations like their user-friendly app and reliable service.

MOD-t: A cheap 3D printer thats easy to use

0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 15
🕹 Technology 3D Printing Hardware
  1. The MOD-t 3D printer is inexpensive and user-friendly, making it attractive for consumers.
  2. Initial setup for the MOD-t printer is quick and easy, with printing achievable within 20 minutes.
  3. While the MOD-t printer has its flaws, like the need to rough up the print plate and issues with the web controller, it shows promise for the consumer market at a price of $399.

The Disruption Dilemma: Available for Pre-Order

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 15
💼 Business Book Publishing
  1. The book 'The Disruption Dilemma' is available for pre-order on Amazon, to be published by MIT Press in March 2016.
  2. It aims to ground disruption theory in academic literature, refocusing on why successful entities face trouble.
  3. The book consolidates theoretical and empirical work on the topic, reflecting on the original question posed by Clay Christensen in 'The Innovator's Dilemma'.

“Information Wants to be Free”: The history of that quote

0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 15
💾 History Quote Origins Accuracy Publication
  1. The quote 'Information wants to be free' originated in a conversation between Stewart Brand and Steve Wozniak in 1984, highlighting the conflicting views on the value and accessibility of information.
  2. The idea that information should be free, but the time spent on it should not, underscores the balance between information's economic worth and the scarcity of attention.
  3. The original transcription of the conversation revealed that the term 'information wants to be free' was not accurately spoken by Brand, with the qualifier 'almost' altering the context of the statement.

Broadband usage caps are probably inefficient

0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 15
🕹 Technology Internet Market Power Infrastructure
  1. Broadband usage caps can be inefficient and may not benefit consumers in the long run.
  2. Different approaches like offering various bandwidth options can be used to allocate costs instead of implementing caps.
  3. The competitiveness of the broadband market can affect pricing strategies, with ISPs potentially squeezing consumers for more profit.

Top Trump and Mexit: The game theory of the Trump endgame

0 implied HN points • 01 Aug 15
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Game Theory Republican party Presidential Race Debate
  1. There is a strong belief that Donald Trump will not secure the Republican nomination or win the presidency, but the focus now is on how long he will stay in the race.
  2. By applying game theory, it is predicted that Trump may withdraw from the GOP race early, possibly citing medical reasons, to avoid losing in critical states like New Hampshire.
  3. Other candidates have an opportunity to strategically challenge Trump in debates, potentially leading to his exit from the race and boosting their own chances of leadership.

Are we kidding ourselves on competition?

0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 15
💼 Business Competition Market Power Wealth Inequality
  1. Traditional models of competition in oligopolies may not consider the impact of cross-ownership of shareholders on firm behavior.
  2. Shareholders with stakes in multiple firms might prioritize overall profits rather than just the profits of the firm they own, potentially leading to collusive outcomes.
  3. The distribution of wealth among shareholders and their relation to consumption levels are important factors to consider in addressing market power and wealth inequality.

Hosting Content on Facebook is about Ad Tracking

0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 15
🕹 Technology Social media Advertising Digital marketing
  1. Facebook's decision to host news sites' content revolves around ad tracking, offering advertisers a more optimized experience across their network.
  2. The shift in news consumption towards bundled content rather than destination sites is impacting the digital advertising market.
  3. As Facebook expands its network, advertisers benefit from being able to track consumers and ensure a cohesive advertising experience, potentially leading to increased ad revenue.

An insight into the future: What happens when Disney’s Magic Band system goes down?

0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 15
🕹 Technology Systems Innovation Design
  1. Disney's Magic Band system went down, causing disruptions like no fast passes or park entry.
  2. Despite the system failure, Disney was prepared and had contingency plans in place, like recording transactions and billing later.
  3. The incident raises questions about the reliability of moving towards a cash-free society and the importance of incorporating backups into future designs.

A quick remark on the Apple Watch Edition (the $10K+ one)

0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 15
💼 Business Technology Marketing Retail Luxury Innovation
  1. The Apple Watch Edition is positioned differently from luxury brands like Rolex, aiming to be more accessible rather than exclusive despite its high price point.
  2. The presence of the Apple Watch Edition likely raises the status and prices of all Apple Watches, following a Veblen effect rather than traditional price discrimination models.
  3. The Apple Watch Edition may exist more as a status symbol or vanity project for designers rather than as a product meant to generate significant revenue or impact Apple's image.

Pi-Day is a travesty of mathematical reasoning.

0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 15
🔬 Science Mathematics
  1. Pi is an irrational number with digits that never end, making it impossible to fully express.
  2. Our time counting system is rational to help us pinpoint time accurately.
  3. Celebrating Pi-Day as a mathematical event doesn't quite make sense since the concept of time cannot coincide with the irrationality of Pi.

Is your organisation based on PowerPoint or Excel?

0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 15
🔬 Science Space Exploration Organizational Structure Decision-making Data Collection Collaboration
  1. Organizational structures based on PowerPoint and Excel can lead to different outcomes in data collection and decision-making processes.
  2. Team PowerPoint emphasizes collective decision-making and qualitative trade-offs, leading to comprehensive analyses of common phenomena.
  3. Team Excel focuses on specialized knowledge with separate teams managing instruments, resulting in very complete and specialized data collection but less collaboration.

Why the iPhone confounds disruption theorists

0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 15
🕹 Technology Disruption Innovation Smartphones Architecture
  1. Established companies like Nokia, Motorola, Sony-Ericsson, and BlackBerry fell victim to disruption with the launch of the iPhone in 2007.
  2. The iPhone conflicted with the traditional disruption theory as it was not disruptive to laptops but instead to traditional handset makers by offering a new architecture and user interface.
  3. The disruption caused by the iPhone stemmed from its unique supply-side mechanisms, challenging established firms by introducing new functionalities and methods of interaction.

Is Uber really in a fight to the death?

0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 14
💼 Business Technology Competition Innovation Market Dynamics
  1. Uber's aggressive approach may not be solely due to a 'winner take all' nature of the market, but also influenced by various other factors like pricing, available drivers, and customer loyalty.
  2. The competition between Uber and Lyft is more about attracting customers rather than fighting for drivers unless there are moves towards exclusivity or incentives that make drivers prefer one platform over the other.
  3. In the long run, customer decisions in the ridesharing market may come down to price, as ease of transitioning between platforms can keep availability similar, leading the edge in service quality to be essential for capturing value.

Against Oligopoly

0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 14
🎶 Music Industry Labels Streaming Artists Consumers
  1. Having three major labels in the music industry can lead to an oligopoly, limiting choices for platforms like Spotify and ultimately hurting consumers.
  2. Individual artists having their own labels can potentially benefit both platforms like Spotify and consumers, as negotiation power is more evenly distributed.
  3. Exclusive deals between artists and platforms can limit consumer choices and drive business models towards uniformity, stifling innovation and competition.

10 Reasons to Doubt Tim’s Vermeer

0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 14
🎨 Art & Illustration Documentary Replication Technique
  1. Tim Jenison's device used in 'Tim's Vermeer' is not available for purchase, casting doubt on its accessibility and practicality.
  2. There is a lack of evidence of others successfully replicating Tim Jenison's technique, raising questions about its effectiveness and validity.
  3. Attempting to replicate an image using a contraption like Jenison's mirror on a stick proved to be challenging and not as straightforward as demonstrated in the documentary.

How to compete with a non-existent iWatch

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 14
🕹 Technology Wearables Smartwatches
  1. Competitors to Apple's iWatch have emerged from electronic manufacturers like Sony and Samsung as well as start-ups like Pebble, focusing on phone connectivity and apps.
  2. Established watchmakers are notably absent in the competition against the iWatch, possibly due to prioritizing fashion items over smartwatch features.
  3. The 'Glance' wearable from the University of Toronto's Creative Destruction Lab offers a innovative solution, complementing existing watches with notifications and fitness tracking, possibly indicating a way to compete with potential Apple iWatch.

How Ender’s Game, the movie, enhances Ender’s Game, the book

0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 13
🎭️ Culture Movies Books Media Art Politics
  1. The movie adaptation of Ender's Game failed to capture the depth and character development of the book, but the attempt to translate the story into a new medium led to an intellectual exercise that made viewers think more deeply about the book.
  2. Adapting a complex book like Ender's Game into a movie format poses significant challenges, but it can spark discussions about storytelling, character development, and the importance of written expression.
  3. Controversies surrounding Orson Scott Card's personal beliefs should not overshadow the value of his literary work, and readers can disagree with an author's views while still appreciating their creative contributions.

Will Yahoo! return to its portal roots?

0 implied HN points • 14 May 13
🕹 Technology Tech Companies Internet Advertising Consumer behavior Competition
  1. Yahoo! may be returning to its portal roots, wanting to be the daily go-to for users across devices.
  2. Yahoo! is focusing on a portal strategy that includes information aggregation to solve users' information overload problems.
  3. Other big tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and Google have their own strategies, but Yahoo!'s focus on a daily routine user base and advertising is unique.

Gesture control and the QWERTY effect

0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 13
🕹 Technology Interfaces Wearables Devices Start-ups
  1. Our interaction with devices has evolved from keyboards to touchscreens and gestures.
  2. Personal-specific interfaces like MYO offer customization for individuals, while device-specific interfaces like LeapMotion rely on standardized gestures.
  3. The battle between device-specific and personal-specific interfaces has implications for entrepreneurial strategies in the interface space.

An allergic story

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 13
🏥 Health & Wellness Allergies
  1. The story humorously outlines the steps of a child's first allergy attack, showcasing the chaos and challenges involved.
  2. The child's behavior during the allergic reaction involves resisting treatment, creating a scene at the doctor's office, and ultimately calming down after receiving medical care.
  3. The specific trigger of the allergic reaction was the Indian masala sauce, indicating the importance of being aware of food allergies and their potential consequences.

Do founders insure against disruption?

0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 16
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Disruption Startups
  1. Founder-involved firms may be longer-lived due to deep knowledge of organization structure
  2. Having a founder at the helm can help manage architectural innovations and reconfigurations within a business
  3. While not foolproof, having a founder heavily involved can aid in navigating disruption and rallying the organization

And now for something completely different

0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🔬 Science Economics Technology Society
  1. Alex Leijonhufvud wrote a classic on the Econ tribe 50 years ago called 'Life Among the Econ,' which is recommended for those interested in economists.
  2. Joshua Gans has written an update called 'Return to the Econ,' exploring the changes in the Econ tribe over the past 50 years due to technology and a shift in societal values.
  3. The 'Return to the Econ' abstract discusses how the Econ tribe's practices and status hierarchy have been influenced by new icons, reflecting changes in societal energy.

Tomato Flu!

0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Disease Prevention Information Wellness
  1. Tomato Flu is a new virus in Kerala, India, affecting children under 5. It shows similar symptoms to COVID-19 but isn't connected to it.
  2. As of July, 82 cases of Tomato Flu were reported in Kerala. It's believed to spread through close contact.
  3. Experts believe Tomato Flu is self-limiting and not a significant concern. It's a trending topic but may not require immediate action.

What does a positive RAT result mean?

0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medical Testing
  1. A positive rapid antigen test result's accuracy depends on the prevalence of Covid-19. Lower prevalence leads to fewer false positives.
  2. During periods of low Covid-19 prevalence, the specificity of rapid tests is very high, above 99%. This means positive results are more likely to be accurate.
  3. Having a positive rapid test result during the Omicron wave means there is a less than 10% chance of it being a false positive. These tests are reliable.