Matthew G Nagler
@matthewgnagler.bsky.social
Economics prof, @CityCollegeNY, @GC_CUNY, former White House SBST. Behavioral econ. Outside there's a boxcar waiting. All posts represent only my own odd ideas.
In this month's installment of Zen and Economics, I talk about the mysterious movement of Mars, being lost in a funhouse, and (of course) the topology of snakes. open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
Slip Slidin' Away
Not being sure which way is forward is a part of life
open.substack.com
June 25, 2026 at 1:46 PM
In this month's installment of Zen and Economics, I talk about the mysterious movement of Mars, being lost in a funhouse, and (of course) the topology of snakes. open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
Caught you staring. open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
May 20, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Caught you staring. open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
What does it mean to “be here now”? open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
Live Memoryless?
What if we could live entirely in the present moment?
open.substack.com
April 20, 2026 at 8:31 PM
What does it mean to “be here now”? open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
“My students are embracing altruism and reciprocity because they’ve never been taught how rent seeking works.”
April 19, 2026 at 4:11 PM
“My students are embracing altruism and reciprocity because they’ve never been taught how rent seeking works.”
Reposted by Matthew G Nagler
Economic analysis that reflects cognitive dissonance explains better than standard analysis eg why
•noninformational advertising works
•Social Security/safety legislation is popular
•flood insurance isn’t—Akerlof&Dickens (1982)
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
buff.ly/Q6aAXQ8
•noninformational advertising works
•Social Security/safety legislation is popular
•flood insurance isn’t—Akerlof&Dickens (1982)
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
buff.ly/Q6aAXQ8
January 29, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Economic analysis that reflects cognitive dissonance explains better than standard analysis eg why
•noninformational advertising works
•Social Security/safety legislation is popular
•flood insurance isn’t—Akerlof&Dickens (1982)
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
buff.ly/Q6aAXQ8
•noninformational advertising works
•Social Security/safety legislation is popular
•flood insurance isn’t—Akerlof&Dickens (1982)
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
buff.ly/Q6aAXQ8
Reposted by Matthew G Nagler
No need for consumers to be irrational for incentives for deceptive advertising to be effective, argues @matthewgnagler.bsky.social.
Bounded rationality—and notably cognitive dissonance (eg refusing to admit they’ve been deceived)—is a sufficient condition:
buff.ly/V0Rz0xA
Bounded rationality—and notably cognitive dissonance (eg refusing to admit they’ve been deceived)—is a sufficient condition:
buff.ly/V0Rz0xA
January 30, 2026 at 9:18 AM
No need for consumers to be irrational for incentives for deceptive advertising to be effective, argues @matthewgnagler.bsky.social.
Bounded rationality—and notably cognitive dissonance (eg refusing to admit they’ve been deceived)—is a sufficient condition:
buff.ly/V0Rz0xA
Bounded rationality—and notably cognitive dissonance (eg refusing to admit they’ve been deceived)—is a sufficient condition:
buff.ly/V0Rz0xA
Reposted by Matthew G Nagler
Behavioural economics has deep roots.
This (1982!) paper by Akerlof and Dickens shows how cognitive dissonance can be woven into standard (rational) economic decision making models and more accurately predict actual behaviour:
buff.ly/JhhamLh
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
This (1982!) paper by Akerlof and Dickens shows how cognitive dissonance can be woven into standard (rational) economic decision making models and more accurately predict actual behaviour:
buff.ly/JhhamLh
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
December 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Behavioural economics has deep roots.
This (1982!) paper by Akerlof and Dickens shows how cognitive dissonance can be woven into standard (rational) economic decision making models and more accurately predict actual behaviour:
buff.ly/JhhamLh
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
This (1982!) paper by Akerlof and Dickens shows how cognitive dissonance can be woven into standard (rational) economic decision making models and more accurately predict actual behaviour:
buff.ly/JhhamLh
HT @matthewgnagler.bsky.social
I "continue as a guest" on the Plant Yourself Podcast with Howie Jacobson. In this episode, we range over the landscape of behavioral economics, pausing briefly to talk about my new work on cognitive flexibility.
We also talk about Golden Balls. Wouldn’t you? plantyourself.com/golden-balls...
We also talk about Golden Balls. Wouldn’t you? plantyourself.com/golden-balls...
Golden Balls, Human Behavior, and Cognitive Flexibility: Matthew Nagler on PYP 628 - Plant Yourself
What can a game show teach us about human nature, and how to balance individual vs social needs and pressure?
plantyourself.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I "continue as a guest" on the Plant Yourself Podcast with Howie Jacobson. In this episode, we range over the landscape of behavioral economics, pausing briefly to talk about my new work on cognitive flexibility.
We also talk about Golden Balls. Wouldn’t you? plantyourself.com/golden-balls...
We also talk about Golden Balls. Wouldn’t you? plantyourself.com/golden-balls...
Fall is here and I am once again teaching micro to grad students
September 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Fall is here and I am once again teaching micro to grad students
Is the suspense killing you? 🥁
It must be time to read the latest edition of Zen and Economics! open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
It must be time to read the latest edition of Zen and Economics! open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
August 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Is the suspense killing you? 🥁
It must be time to read the latest edition of Zen and Economics! open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
It must be time to read the latest edition of Zen and Economics! open.substack.com/pub/matthewg...
In the US we celebrate tech moguls who “move fast & break things,” yet we struggle with whether someone should have the right to declare their own gender identity
My most recent Substack gets to the bottom of our conflicted ideas on cognitive flexibility: matthewgnagler.substack.com/p/dont-be-a-...
My most recent Substack gets to the bottom of our conflicted ideas on cognitive flexibility: matthewgnagler.substack.com/p/dont-be-a-...
Don't Be a Stranger
Cognitive flexibility is not a sin
matthewgnagler.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
In the US we celebrate tech moguls who “move fast & break things,” yet we struggle with whether someone should have the right to declare their own gender identity
My most recent Substack gets to the bottom of our conflicted ideas on cognitive flexibility: matthewgnagler.substack.com/p/dont-be-a-...
My most recent Substack gets to the bottom of our conflicted ideas on cognitive flexibility: matthewgnagler.substack.com/p/dont-be-a-...
The idea that journalism can be transformative is grounded in a sort of behavioral economics.
The narratives we employ influence our thoughts and so inevitably our choices (by way of our preferences).
Here’s what I wrote on the broader economics of this: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
The narratives we employ influence our thoughts and so inevitably our choices (by way of our preferences).
Here’s what I wrote on the broader economics of this: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
July 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The idea that journalism can be transformative is grounded in a sort of behavioral economics.
The narratives we employ influence our thoughts and so inevitably our choices (by way of our preferences).
Here’s what I wrote on the broader economics of this: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
The narratives we employ influence our thoughts and so inevitably our choices (by way of our preferences).
Here’s what I wrote on the broader economics of this: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
At the library in Telluride, Colorado
May 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
At the library in Telluride, Colorado
Not sure I want my coffee “brazen”
March 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Not sure I want my coffee “brazen”
A good morning from Crested Butte
March 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A good morning from Crested Butte
Back to Crested Butte. Winter not over yet! ❄️
March 15, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Back to Crested Butte. Winter not over yet! ❄️
Economic efficiency ftw
March 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Economic efficiency ftw
Back at the Coffee Stand today
March 12, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Back at the Coffee Stand today
Sticking up for the territories
March 10, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Sticking up for the territories
Calling these guys “misers” was a misnomer. Does anyone have better names for them?
March 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Calling these guys “misers” was a misnomer. Does anyone have better names for them?
Hmm, do I live in a college town?
March 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Hmm, do I live in a college town?
For the record, I did NOT click
do NOT click this unless you want to be big mad bsky.app/profile/dead... via @deadontheoutside.bsky.social
March 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
For the record, I did NOT click
Gratuitous Boulder-themed pic alert 🚨
March 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Gratuitous Boulder-themed pic alert 🚨
If you’re looking for me I’m working at the Coffee Stand in Boulder this afternoon
March 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
If you’re looking for me I’m working at the Coffee Stand in Boulder this afternoon
Started yet another book without having finished the others.
As always the quandary: Where do I find a new bookmark?
As always the quandary: Where do I find a new bookmark?
March 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Started yet another book without having finished the others.
As always the quandary: Where do I find a new bookmark?
As always the quandary: Where do I find a new bookmark?