For economists, the shutdown has been a daily struggle to find structure and meaning in a world without government data. “It’s a little sad.”

During the 40-day government shutdown, economists faced significant challenges due to the absence of essential government data, which is vital for accurate economic forecasting. This disruption has forced forecasters to adapt, learning new habits such as sleeping past 5 a.m. and relying on unconventional sources, like plumbers, to gauge consumer spending. The emotional toll of this situation is evident, with many expressing that it is 'a little sad' to navigate a world devoid of structured data. The implications of this shutdown extend beyond individual discomfort, as it underscores the critical role that government data plays in shaping economic understanding and policy decisions.