Lawrence Lessig
@lessig.bsky.social
Law professor; activist; not convinced we have time; acting as if we do.
On a new episode of #TheStakes, KF Senior Fellow @nealkatyal.bsky.social and Harvard Law Professor @lessig.bsky.social argue that Citizens United v. FEC is among the most misunderstood Supreme Court decisions in American history: it never authorized unlimited super PAC contributions.
Just back from 1st Circuit oral arguments in the case to uphold Maine's Anti-SuperPAC law. If you want a master class in oral advocacy, listen to Neal Katyal defend the law here: buff.ly/ODbS7E3 (Also, if you want to hear what well-prepared judges sound like!) Fingers crossed.
ca1.uscourts.gov
Apologies for using social media as, well, social media, but: I've been in contact with lots about the upcoming AI-related events in China that was *very* eager to participate in. Unfortunately, I've not been able to secure a visa (and won't qualify for the visa-free option). Very sorry to to miss.
Want to qualify to celebrate America's 250th July 4? The Kennedy School is offering a "free, short, nonpartisan HarvardX online course on the U.S. Constitution" (tbc: it's 250 since the Declaration, not the Constitution (trick question #1)): bit.ly/FreeCourseHa... (click “audit” 4 free ver.)
HarvardX: American Government: Constitutional Foundations | edX
Learn how early American politics informed the U.S. Constitution and why its promise of liberty and equality has yet to be fully realized.
bit.ly
Out 7/7: An essay collection on the challenges, risks, and opportunities of this historic moment in American law and governance. Featuring essays by more than 50 Harvard Law School faculty members, including Stephen Breyer, Jill Lepore, & Annette Gordon-Reed. mitpress.mit.edu/978026206043...
Tomorrow, 1pm ET: Join us for a conversation with the Founders of #CreativeCommons: Moderated by Glenn Brown, with Hal Abelson, Molly van Houweling, and me! (No actual logs will be burned.) Register here: creativecommons.org/event/cc-fou...
CC Founders Fireside Chat - Creative Commons
To mark 25 years of Creative Commons, this special founders fireside chat brings together the founders of CC for a rare virtual event.
creativecommons.org
Looking forward to a (virtual) conversation with #CreativeCommons co-founders Hal Abelson and Molly Van Houweling, moderated by the great Glenn Brown, June 23, 1pm ET. Join if you can: bit.ly/3QBZiwa
Sam Wang is THE LEADING anti-gerrymandering academic/activist in the nation, founder of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, and now running for Congress in NJ12. I and we (EqualCitizens.US) STRONGLY support him. Check him out and do what you can? buff.ly/Y1miyFw
Just circulated on SSRN: If Roe, Then Buckley. The essay challenges the originalists: The method that motivated overturning Roe, applied consistently, means Buckley must go. Never have "We, the People" said billionaires have the right to control our politicians.
If Roe, then Buckley
<span> <p><span>Modern originalism was born as a theory of democratic restraint; it has morphed into something very different. In this essay, I argue that orig
buff.ly
This is a critically important idea that every Democrat should be embracing – at least in the primaries. Hey #DEMS, show us the (lack of SuperPAC) money!
Kai Newkirk@kainewkirk.bsky.social · 3mo agoDemocrats want voters to decide our primaries — not billionaires & corporations spending unlimited dark money. So today I’m challenging my opponent @repgregstanton.bsky.social to join me in taking The People’s Pledge to keep Super PACs out of our race. It works. Let’s do it for CD 4 Greg.
The Boston Globe agrees: Citizens United did not create SuperPACs, and it is time for the First Circuit to fix that absurd mistake. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/26/o...
A way out of super PAC madness? - The Boston Globe
If they act quickly on a Maine case, federal judges could tee up a Supreme Court decision next year that restores some sanity to campaign finance laws.
bostonglobe.com
This is a brilliant unpacking of the idea that will save us (if we can come to recognize its brilliance quickly enough). youtu.be/LzbJacGGt1o?...
The Ancient Invention That Solves Corruption
#sponsored 🔒 Get 20% off DeleteMe by going to https://joindeleteme.com/spectacles and use code SPECTACLES to protect your privacy! 🙌 Nobody likes politicians. So what if we just...got rid of…
youtu.be
"A whole civilization will die tonight" is the threat of a war crime. The only way to achieve that result is nuclear. Those charged by the 25th Amendment to police his fitness to serve need to realize this: If they don't act to stop it, they are responsible. buff.ly/qvKA72a
Trump warns Iran: 'Whole civilization will die'
President Trump imposed a deadline for the Strait of Hormuz to open or face heavy strikes.
youtu.be
In Boston and want to see THE AI DOC: OR HOW I BECAME AN APOCALOPTIMIST 3/28 at 6pm AMC Boston Common FOR FREE? the-ai-doc.eventbrite.com
#JonOssoff is always the clearest on just why #ItsTheCorruptionStupid:
Ossoff: I get why people voted for him
Jon Ossoff is the only Democratic U.S. Senator up for re-election in a state Trump won. This is the most important Senate race in the country. He needs our support, join at ElectJon.com Subscribe…
buff.ly
Coming to SXSW? I’m joining The Knowledge Paradox: When Does Sharing Become Theft? at SXSW Innovation. ➡️ Sat, Mar 14 | 2:30–3:30 PM CT ➡️ Thompson Austin, Red River Ballroom A session to confront complexity (and to out myself as an alien in this debate).
