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Chris Blattman
@cblatts
Economist & political scientist @UChicago @HarrisPolicy studying conflict & organized crime. My book is Why We Fight: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/636263
Chicago, IL
chrisblattman.com
Joined September 2009
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  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Sep 3, 2017
    In college, I believed this deeply. It's fundamental to justify libertarian stance. Learning it was empirically false changed my politics.
    user avatar
    Paul Ryan
    @SpeakerRyan
    Sep 2, 2017
    In our country, the condition of your birth does not determine the outcome of your life. This is what makes America so great.
    00:00
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jul 14, 2023
    Just hired a 21yo for their first job. What basic professional advice do they need? Here's what I tell all my new staff, but perhaps you can add. I'll start small. 1/ Use an online calendar. Have a foolproof system of reminders, so you never forget a deadline or obligation.
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  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Mar 27, 2017
    I don't think you should go to this university
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Nov 18, 2022
    With PhD applications due soon, thousands of young people are currently beginning their statements of purpose with the same cliché story, or the same anodyne statement Stop right now! Here are 10 thoughts for doing this right. Helps you, and helps admissions committees.👇
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    May 11, 2022
    Medellin, Colombia has 100s of powerful gangs, but still went from one of the most violent cities in the world to homicide rates far lower than that of St Louis, Baltimore or Detroit. What happened? The story here: great success, but at a terrible & hidden price. A 🧵
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Apr 26, 2018
    US Rep for Kentucky’s 4th district, ladies and gentlemen
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Nov 9, 2021
    I find the UAustin ridicule cringeworthy. The fact that I’m at a leading policy school at one of the more “freethinking” places and I can’t think of a single conservative on the faculty (and a handful—at most—in our other professional schools) ought to be deeply concerning.
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jan 28, 2022
    Not the opening lines I would have picked.
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Apr 11, 2025
    Underrated point
    205K
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jul 14, 2023
    Replying to @cblatts
    2/ Use the calendar to schedule intensive work time, not just meetings. Some kinds of work (like research or coding or writing) benefits from long, uninterrupted blocks of time. Most people schedule meetings only, and don't schedule these long blocks. Do both.
    391K
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Mar 5, 2025
    I was skeptical of the $200/mo price tag for ChatGPT DeepResearch, but man is it paying off. The ability to get a cogent, well-referenced, literature review or annotated bibliography in 7 minutes is incredible. Short thread on how I've used it. Advice/feedback welcome.
    677K
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jul 14, 2023
    Replying to @cblatts
    3/ Organize your contacts. Make a habit of saving everyone's names, emails and other contact info in a way that syncs across your devices. Keep notes of key info, like birthdays and the names of spouses and children.
    369K
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jul 14, 2023
    Replying to @cblatts
    9/ Assume most negative feedback you receive is true, at least in part. Don't get defensive. If someone is rude or malicious, assume it's mostly their fault. But also triple check if there is usually a lesson there for you as well. Dealing with assholes is a skill.
    266K
  • user avatar
    Chris Blattman
    @cblatts
    Jul 14, 2023
    Replying to @cblatts
    5/ Learn to email professionally. I've written a longer post about that here:
    Students: How to email to your Professor, employer, and professional peers
    From chrisblattman.com
    340K