The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box

https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/archive/2025/09/economic-data-crisis-bls/684238/
webpage banner

The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box

Sophisticated private sources could provide a fuller picture of the state of the economy. But the government is not even trying to use them.

Note

numerous problems identified but with weak solutions (with admittedly costly downsides).

the lagging of data can be problematic when political decision makers aren't willingly to take hopeful measures for those in need. yet, developing better real time data analysis isn't the only solution available to us. we could give first, ask later and trust a variety of indirect measurements with what data we do have today.

with that said, trust worthy data and actionable data are reasonable goals. private data sources brings along a slew of its own challenges, but i could see it working if the data could be purchased for a reasonable price and sold without subscription to be then owned and cleaned by the public.

making decisions without complete information is an aspect of all life and governance. that skill is needed, no matter how much "better" data gathering can get.

Published

2025

Summary

Sophisticated private sources could provide a fuller picture of the state of the economy. But the government is not even trying to use them.

Image

Image for The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box