Matthew Yglesias Quotes

Powerful Matthew Yglesias for Daily Growth

About Matthew Yglesias

Matthew Yglesias, a prominent American journalist and blogger, was born on February 6, 1983. Raised in Washington D.C., he developed an early interest in politics and economics due to his surroundings and the intellectual environment of the nation's capital. Yglesias attended Brown University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005. His college years were marked by his involvement in the student-run blog, "Brown Daily Herald," where he honed his writing skills and solidified his political leanings as a progressive. Post-graduation, Yglesias worked at ThinkProgress, a project of the Center for American Progress, before joining the staff of the Center itself in 2006. He later served as a fellow at the New America Foundation. In these roles, he gained recognition for his insightful analysis and commentary on domestic and international policy issues. In 2010, Yglesias moved to Slate Magazine where he wrote for their blog network, including "Future Tense," focused on technology and its impact on society. His work there led to the publication of his first book, "Heavy Petting: America, Libya, and War Crimes in 2011." In 2012, Yglesias joined The Atlantic as a senior editor, where he continued to cover politics, economics, and international affairs. His second book, "Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming" was published in 2016. Currently, Yglesias is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, where he continues to voice his progressive views on various political and economic issues. His work reflects his belief in evidence-based policy solutions and the importance of understanding the complexities of modern society.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The political system is set up in such a way that it's very hard for people to understand what's happening."

This quote by Matthew Yglesias emphasizes the complex nature of our political system, suggesting that its intricacies can make it challenging for individuals to comprehend the workings and decisions being made within it. This opacity can lead to confusion, frustration, or disengagement among citizens who may feel disconnected from the political process. As a result, understanding the political system is crucial to fostering an informed electorate that can actively participate in democratic governance.


"There's no question that the Internet has changed the world."

This quote underscores the profound impact that the Internet has had on our global society. The Internet, in essence, has transformed how we communicate, share information, work, learn, entertain ourselves, and connect with others across vast distances. It has democratized access to knowledge, empowered individuals and communities, and fundamentally reshaped the way modern civilization functions. In short, the Internet is a powerful tool that continues to evolve and shape the world we live in.


"Ultimately, the most important thing about any given policy proposal is not whether it's 'liberal' or 'conservative,' but whether it works."

This quote emphasizes the pragmatic approach to policy-making, suggesting that the efficacy of a policy should be prioritized over its political label (liberal or conservative). In essence, the goal is to enact policies that solve real-world problems effectively, rather than to adhere blindly to ideological leanings.


"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

The quote "The best way to predict your future is to create it" by Matthew Yglesias emphasizes that one should actively shape their own destiny rather than passively waiting for it to happen. It suggests that instead of relying on predictions or guesswork, the most effective approach is to take control of one's life and make deliberate decisions towards achieving desired goals. In other words, our actions today will determine the course of our tomorrow.


"Politics is not just a game of numbers, it's also a game of perceptions and narratives."

This quote emphasizes that politics involves more than merely counting votes or tallying numerical support. It highlights the importance of shaping public perception and constructing compelling narratives in political discourse. Successful politicians don't just need to win over a majority, but also to persuade the public through crafted stories and framing issues in appealing ways.


I'm a liberal - I believe in subsidies for public goods and in regulations to curb harmful externalities, but neither of those things exist when it comes to parking.

- Matthew Yglesias

Believe, Parking, Goods, Subsidies

The environmental movement's focus on the Keystone XL pipeline issue really used to baffle me.

- Matthew Yglesias

Environmental, Me, Issue, Pipeline

The United States Postal Service has a problem. People aren't sending as much mail as they used to. That means less postage revenue and difficulty paying the bills.

- Matthew Yglesias

Mail, United States, Means, Postal Service

It's rare that you have a policy issue that can be solved by throwing more money at the problem, but the technology to make bus service more frequent and equip buses with GPS systems that provide real-time schedule updates to bus stops exists and operates in many parts of the world. We should be installing it in our major cities.

- Matthew Yglesias

Bus, Frequent, Solved, Buses

A normal recession disrupts people's lives, but a long recession destroys them. You lose output, prosperity, family stability, self-esteem, and many other qualities on what looks to be a semi-permanent basis.

- Matthew Yglesias

Self-Esteem, Normal, Other, Stability

I'm trying to inform people, so I try to present them with accurate information.

- Matthew Yglesias

Trying, Inform, Accurate, Present

Your time as a manager is finite and valuable.

- Matthew Yglesias

Manager, Your, Finite, Valuable

I'm against government-subsidized parking and government-mandated parking.

- Matthew Yglesias

Against, Parking

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