Dear readers,
Nearly 16 years ago, I received an email from Megan McArdle asking if I was interested in trying out for a slot writing for The Economist’s economics blog, Free Exchange. Up to that point, my résumé as a journalist consisted of some work for my college newspaper, writing and editing at DCist, and a personal blog with a readership that soared into the hundreds after being linked to by Matthew Yglesias. I quickly replied to say yes, and thus began the most unlikely of careers at one of the great journalistic institutions.
It has been an extraordinary experience, for which I will always be grateful, but the time has come for a change. I wanted to let you all know that as of this week, I am leaving The Economist, and indeed journalism, to pursue a new and exciting opportunity. I will also be suspending my contributions to this newsletter. Thanks very much to all of you for reading and commenting; I appreciate you sharing some of your valuable time with me.
I am not disappearing, entirely. I have been hard at work on a book, which touches on many themes that I’ve addressed in this newsletter. I’m extremely excited about it, and I hope you’ll look out for information about its publication sometime in the next year or two.
For now, I’ll say thank you again. You’ve been a wonderful audience.
Cheers,
Ryan
My very best wishes to you. I am going to miss miss the days following reading your "Bellows" mulling over your stimulating thoughts. They gave me a clearer understanding & appreciation of the intersections of social norms, democracy, & economic systems.
Would you consider using this to let us all know what does happen next, when in fact it does?