Introducing a Starbucks in a neighborhood without prior cafés increases “the number of startups of 5.0% to 11.8% (or 1.1 to 3.5 firms) per year, over the subsequent 7 years.” nber.org/papers/w32604 (Jorge Guzman/Mario L. Small/NBER).

Research from @marioluissmall shows avoidance happens almost as often as open communication in our closest relationships. Discover how and why we avoid certain topics—and what we can do about it. 🗣️💭 societytoday.org/when-talking-i… #Communication #MentalHealth #Relationships

cool new paper in American Sociological Review by Mario L. Small+colleagues on the avoidance of strong ties. Upshot: avoidance is a constitutive element of how people relate to close friends and family (i.e., more the rule than exception), common across demo groups and income levels.

From Department Chair Mario L. Small, Applications for Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor (Open Rank) The Department of Sociology at Columbia University invites applications for an open rank position to begin July 1, 2025. Apply here: academic.careers.columbia.edu/#!/143603

In American Sociological Review, Mario L. Small @kristinapbrant & Fekete found in a representative survey that adult Americans were as likely to avoid as to talk to friends & family about difficult personal issues, suggesting a need to rethink theories of “strong ties.” journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.117…

Bayes’ theorem, clearly explained:

At the #MarketsandSociety #MAS2024 Conference at George Mason University where Sociologist Mario L. Small is presenting research on PayDay lenders. PDLs charge extremely high interest rates (a typical rate is 450% ARR) for cash now. Unexpected takeaway: Many low-income black and Hispanic

BREAKING NEWS The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.”

Excited to share my paper on unemployment and suicide with bernice pescosolido. Using big administrative data on suicide, we show that unemployed people are more likely to die by suicide, but their suicide risk is lower when and where more people are unemployed. doi.org/10.1177/000312…

Great podcast with Eric Klinenberg and Kellie Carter Jackson on the importance of physical spaces for community theatlantic.com/podcasts/archi…

Congratulations to sociologist Orlando Patterson Harvard University, recipient of the 2024 Hegel Award from the City of Stuttgart and Museum Hegel-Haus for his groundbreaking and influential work on the sociology of slavery, freedom, and social justice.

We think of the people we are closest to as the ones we talk to about sensitive or personal issues. But just as often, we avoid talking to them about those things. Fascinating research by Mario L. Small, Kristina Brant, & Maleah Fekete. 1/ psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living…

Can a coffee shop stimulate economic development? Mario L. Small & Jorge Guzman suggest that social spaces can spark local entrepreneurship. vitalcitynyc.org/articles/how-s…

New research suggests that "third places" -- social spaces in between home and work -- are crucial to revitalizing neighborhoods. Mario L. Small and Jorge Guzman explain: vitalcitynyc.org/articles/how-s…