An electoral reform party is targeting state and local races. Will it work? — Many of you may remember the quixotic bid of Andrew Yang for the Democratic nomination in 2024. He was an “internet favorite” candidate with the unusual distinction of being the candidate who faced the most obvious media bias, with media coverage lagging well behind his polling numbers. …

A case study in dating app degradation — As I noted in a previous article titled “Why dating apps suck,” I talked about why the business model of most dating websites and dating applications is fundamentally at odds with creating successful monogamous long-term relationships. The short version is that “pay to play” dating apps make money from frustrated…

The American presidential system is particularly bad at handling three-candidate races — One of the striking mathematical features of voting systems in general is that once you have three or more major candidates, elections tend to become chaotic, that is to say that a smaller shift in public opinion and voters’ behavior produces a more dramatic shift in results. At this point…

The devil is in the details, and the real Jersey Devil is the art of the loophole — Today, I’m going to say bad things about New Jersey, or rather, the state government of New Jersey. Buckle in, it’s a wild ride. Today, I’m going to talk about slavery, fine print, and loopholes. The lesson is a simple one: Reform done right requires close attention to the details. …

SCOTUS may have “killed” it, but it will continue for a while. — The use of race as a factor in admissions has been a common controversy of the college admissions process for about fifty years now. The Supreme Court has just ruled in two linked cases against Harvard (6–2) and UNC (6–3) brought by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), stating that both…

As we look towards the 2024 presidential election, the previous election contains valuable lessons — The 2024 presidential cycle is beginning to take shape as Republican contenders vie for position in the “invisible primary.” The Republican primary will be contested. Third-party candidates are considering their options. Democrats are beginning to fall in line behind Joe Biden’s re-election bid, some reluctantly and some eagerly.

A game theory problem — and a solution! I first drafted this back when I was actively using dating apps. I decided that I wouldn’t post it until after I had a steady girlfriend. …

A few key battleground states will be the center of major candidates’ focus. They will be large states. — In the Electoral College system, each state elects or appoints a slate of electors; the electors then in turn vote for a president. Because different states have different combinations of cultural and economic interests, they fall in different places along a political spectrum. …

Bothered by Bridgerton — Sometimes, I read romance novels, or watch shows based on romance novels. At times, I simply enjoy them. Every once in a while, though, I hit jarring moments where suspension of belief becomes difficult. …