Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner) profile picture

PhD Candidate in Economics, UMass Amherst

Joined May 2026
Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)Photo by Evan Wasner (@EvanWasner)
Almost five years ago I was declared an “unreal economist” for proposing that the return of inflation had something to do with a sharp rise in profit margins. This was the beginning of a tireless research effort. @EvanWasner and I wrote a paper explaining how emergencies coordinate corporate price hikes causing sellers’ inflation. Our work has been discussed widely and cited by central banks, the IMF and OECD. Now, Evan just became Dr Wasner with a brilliant dissertation on inflation, critical inputs and inequality. Could not be prouder of my first ever PhD student graduating! Onwards! 🍾🍾🍾🍾
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Great thread here folks…
Inflation is back. Real wages are down. But things may already be worse than they look. During the COVID inflation the data said real wages ROSE, providing a buffer against today’s price surges. But my NEW WORKING PAPER finds: those real wage gains were a statistical illusion🧵
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Evan Wasner retweeted
The vibes were real. Inflation was — and is — real. The lesson is when masses of people say their finances are declining, believe them.
Inflation is back. Real wages are down. But things may already be worse than they look. During the COVID inflation the data said real wages ROSE, providing a buffer against today’s price surges. But my NEW WORKING PAPER finds: those real wage gains were a statistical illusion🧵
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Inflation is back. Real wages are down. But things may already be worse than they look. During the COVID inflation the data said real wages ROSE, providing a buffer against today’s price surges. But my NEW WORKING PAPER finds: those real wage gains were a statistical illusion🧵
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Really interesting paper teapawt.net/EvanWasner/status/2056…
Inflation is back. Real wages are down. But things may already be worse than they look. During the COVID inflation the data said real wages ROSE, providing a buffer against today’s price surges. But my NEW WORKING PAPER finds: those real wage gains were a statistical illusion🧵
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The “Vibecession” was key to the downfall of Bidenomics. This must read paper leverages scanner data to show: People were right to be worried about affordability. Real wages can fail to capture the actual living standards of the majority. We need better measures of affordability.
Inflation is back. Real wages are down. But things may already be worse than they look. During the COVID inflation the data said real wages ROSE, providing a buffer against today’s price surges. But my NEW WORKING PAPER finds: those real wage gains were a statistical illusion🧵
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