Let's look at one problem in Cook's paper; it's easy to see that the results are noise. Cook finds a negative effect of racial violence on patenting, using annual data. But when we use the state-year data to construct an annual dataset, the results disappear. 1/
Michael Wiebe
Should Lisa Cook resign from the Federal Reserve? No. Should her most famous paper be retracted? Yes.
Aug 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Can We Detect the Effects of Racial Violence on Patenting? Reanalyzing an Article by Lisa Cook · Econ Journal Watch : Reanalysis, replication, conflict, innovation
In 2014, Lisa Cook published an article in Journal of Economic Growth titled, “Violence and Economic Activity: Evidence from African American Pa…
datasetpapers — a public research experiment
An experimental approach to versioned, forkable, machine-readable analyses. A prototype, not a product or service.
datasetpapers — a public research experiment
An experimental approach to versioned, forkable, machine-readable analyses. A prototype, not a product or service.
The C-Word: Scientific Euphemisms Do Not Improve Causal Inference From Observational Data
Causal inference is a core task of science. However, authors and editors often refrain from explicitly acknowledging the causal goal of research projects; they refer to causal effect estimates as associational estimates. This commentary argues that using the term “causal” is necessary to improve the quality of observational research. Specifically, being explicit about the causal objective of a study reduces ambiguity in the scientific question, errors in the data analysis, and excesses in the interpretation of the results.
The natural selection of bad science
Abstract. Poor research design and data analysis encourage false-positive findings. Such poor methods persist despite perennial calls for improvement, sugg
Andreas De Block on Twitter / X
It took Nature three years to publish this rebuttal, which clearly demonstrates the fundamental flaws in the original paper. In the meantime, the paper's conclusions influenced scientific debate and policy decisions. Such delays in correcting flawed research do real damage. https://t.co/QI3Ei3PE70— Andreas De Block (@DeblockBlock) August 13, 2026
America's Digital Demand Threatens Black Communities with More Pollution
The collective costs of artificial intelligence and data centers are disproportionately harming Black households.
How the LAPD and Palantir Use Data to Justify Racist Policing
In a new book, a sociologist who spent months embedded with the LAPD details how data-driven policing techwashes bias.
Is the scientific paper still a fraud?
How we write scientific papers does not reflect how we do science. Their formal structure infers a pre-ordained linear process rather than reflecting the messy creativity of research. This matters in the AI age because it masks the human in the process.
Are Scientific Papers Bad?
Does Predictive Policing Lead to Biased Arrests? Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Racial bias in predictive policing algorithms has been the focus of a number of recent news articles, statements of concern by several national organizations (e.g., the ACLU and NAACP), and simulat...
Does Predictive Policing Lead to Biased Arrests? Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Racial bias in predictive policing algorithms has been the focus of a number of recent news articles, statements of concern by several national organizations (e.g., the ACLU and NAACP), and simulat...
We've written about how social media companies and other technology firms manipulate the scientific record in their favor. In our revisions, we will need to address how they have captured the state department to literally prevent researchers who criticize them FROM EVEN ENTERING THE COUNTRY.
Jameel Jaffer
This wild document is the basis for the State Department's decision to cancel the visas and green cards of tech researchers who study the social media platforms and of tech regulators who enforce privacy and transparency laws. Disclosed to us last night in @thecoalition.bsky.social v. Rubio.
A re-analysis of Ciacci's (2024) "Banning the purchase of sex increases cases of rape: Evidence from Sweden" Journal of Population Economics reveals major issues. A year ago, reproducers Adema, Folke, and Rickne found coding errors driving the paper's key results. Let's unpack this in a 🧵
