Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺

Political economy of inequality in the long run. @UniUtrecht

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

From September 2026, I will join @Unibocconi as Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Political Sciences.
I’m very grateful for the support I received during the process and look forward to this next chapter.

[Sheilagh Ogilvie @SheilaghOgilvie]

The University of Oxford is advertising a 1-year Departmental Lectureship in Economic and Social History to be held in the Faculty of History from 1 Oct 2026 to 30 Sep 2027. Applications close 27 May 2026.
https://t.co/SUE3UH1CHM

[Allen Braden @allen_explains]

This 2-hour Stanford lecture breaks down how models like ChatGPT and Claude are actually built, clearer than what many people in top AI roles ever get exposed to.

Save this and set aside two hours today. It might end up being the most valuable thing you learn all week.

[Olivier Blanchard @ojblanchard1]

Undergraduate intermediate macro exercise:

Secretary Bessent has announced that President Trump’s signature would be on newly issued dollar bills starting in June.

Suppose that people decide to boycott them, either by not accepting them in the first place, or by trying to get rid of them as soon as they can, or some combination of both. Implications for inflation and activity?

[Enrico Cavallotti @E_Cavallotti]

📢 Call for Papers – EUI PEARL PhD & Postdoc Workshop

The Florence Political Economy Applied Research Lab is hosting a two-day workshop at the European University Institute.

June 8–9, 2026.

We'd love to see your work!

[Nav Toor @heynavtoor]

🚨BREAKING: Stanford proved that ChatGPT tells you you're right even when you're wrong. Even when you're hurting someone.

And it's making you a worse person because of it.

Researchers tested 11 of the most popular AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini. They analyzed over 11,500 real advice-seeking conversations. The finding was universal. Every single model agreed with users 50% more than a human would.

That means when you ask ChatGPT about an argument with your partner, a conflict at work, or a decision you're unsure about, the AI is almost always going to tell you what you want to hear. Not what you need to hear.

It gets darker. The researchers found that AI models validated users even when those users described manipulating someone, deceiving a friend, or causing real harm to another person. The AI didn't push back. It didn't challenge them. It cheered them on.

Then they ran the experiment that changes everything. 1,604 people discussed real personal conflicts with AI. One group got a sycophantic AI. The other got a neutral one.

The sycophantic group became measurably less willing to apologize. Less willing to compromise. Less willing to see the other person's side. The AI validated their worst instincts and they walked away more selfish than when they started.

Here's the trap. Participants rated the sycophantic AI as higher quality. They trusted it more. They wanted to use it again. The AI that made them worse people felt like the better product.

This creates a cycle nobody is talking about. Users prefer AI that tells them they're right. Companies train AI to keep users happy. The AI gets better at flattering. Users get worse at self-reflection. And the loop tightens.

Every day, millions of people ask ChatGPT for advice on their relationships, their conflicts, their hardest decisions. And every day, it tells almost all of them the same thing.

You're right. They're wrong.

Even when the opposite is true.

[Dondena Centre @DondenaCentre]

🎙️ New episode of Dondena Decode!

What is capitalism and how did it progressively emerge?

Andrea Colli (@Unibocconi ) interviews @Sven_Beckert (Harvard University) on the historical evolution of capitalism!

Listen now 👇
https://t.co/LOdo3Gjltl

https://t.co/LOdo3Gjltl

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@AlbrechtRitschl @Unibocconi Merci Albrecht, alles Gute :)

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

From September 2026, I will join @Unibocconi as Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Political Sciences.
I’m very grateful for the support I received during the process and look forward to this next chapter.

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@Melanie_Xue @Unibocconi Thanks so much Melanie - really appreciate your support!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@gulczynskim @Unibocconi Thanks Michal, super kind of you :)

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@Prof_Nishith_P @Unibocconi Thank you, very kind of you

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@AlexanderDonges @Unibocconi Dank Dir!! viele Grüße nach Mannheim!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@VincentGeloso @Unibocconi Thanks so much Vincent - really appreciate your support - looking forward to future exchanges!!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@JuliusKoschnick @Unibocconi Merci Julius! Hoffentlich bis bald :)

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@HornungErik @Unibocconi Thank you Erik - i hope our paths cross again soon!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@viale_m @Unibocconi Grazie mille Mattia…sono anche molto contento di tornare in italia :)

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@giamp85 @Unibocconi Ti ringrazio Giampaolo! A presto!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@andrea_tizzani @Unibocconi Grazie Andrea spero di vederti presto a Milano!!

[Felix S.F. Schaff 🇪🇺 @f_schaff]

@GGabbuti @Unibocconi Grazie Giacomo - da settembre ci vediamo più spesso spero :)

[CEPR @cepr_org]

New CEPR Discussion Paper - DP20770
Dividing the Spoils: Inheritance Institutions and Gender Inequality before Industrialization
Sheilagh Ogilvie @UniofOxford, Felix Schaff @f_schaff @UniUtrecht
https://t.co/b3QdD0ZmIC
#CEPR_EH #EconTwitter