The Law, such as it is

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An exploration of a broken, if beautiful, institution, the law, and tradition, America. Season one told the story of a case, LESSIG v. NYT. Season two begins the story about a country, America, and values that country has betrayed.

Lawrence Lessig


    • Nov 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 13 EPISODES
    • 2 SEASONS


    Latest episodes from The Law, such as it is

    Episode 8 - System Error

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 76:14


    Lessig talks to Rob Reich, Jeremy M. Weinstein and Mehran Sahami about their new book, SYSTEM ERROR — which unpacks the effect of technology on culture and policy, and redirects how we might respond.

    Episode 7 - David Vine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 82:50


    American University Professor David Vine has developed a powerful critique of the war mentality that America takes for granted. We argue about whether we should be a “welfare state.” Why don't we argue about whether we should remain a “warfare state.” In this episode, he discusses two of his books, The United States of War and Base Nation, and what lessons they teach us now.

    Episode 6 - Daniel Immerwahr

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 61:14


    A discussion with Daniel Immerwahr about his book, How to Hide An Empire. The United States is not comprised solely of states. As well as states, our nation includes territories. This book tells the story of the role and place of those territories in the history of the United States. #Empire America

    Episode 5 - Zephyr Teachout

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 76:08


    A discussion with Zephyr Teachout about her book, Break ‘Em Up. Zephyr is the most important thinker on the Democratic left. This conversation continues from the last about how markets have been transformed from engines of freedom to systems of control. #Competition

    Episode 4 - Barry Lynn

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 70:45


    A discussion with Barry Lynn about his new book, Liberty from All Masters. There is a kind of competitive market that the American story presumes — competitive, every actor having limited power over us. This book tells the story of the undoing of that market. #Competition

    Episode 3 - Stephen Kinzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2021 84:31


    A discussion with Stephen Kinzer about his book, Overthrow. Overthrow tells the story of the many times the United States has intervened directly and militarily to change the course of government in other nations. #Empire America

    Episode 2 - Edward Snowden

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2021 107:58


    A discussion with Edward Snowden about his new book, Permanent Record. In 2013, Snowden revealed to the world the extent of the US government's mass surveillance program. This book tells the story of Snowden's life and the decision to sacrifice as he did to let us know this truth. #Privacy

    Episode 1 - Andrew Bacevich

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 66:46


    A discussion with Andrew Bacevich about his new book, After the Apocolypse. Bacevich is America's most thoughtful conservative skeptic about the scope of America's military empire, and the urgent need to redirect our focus. #Empire America

    Season 2 Intro

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 10:38


    This is an introduction of this season and ideas that the season will explore. Anti-empire, privacy, and competition: these ideas, or as I will call them, values, represent the best of who we've been; they are also values we've betrayed. These conversations are part of the research for a possible new book. Explore the ideas with me, and with your feedback, help me think them through.

    EP 4 - Case Closed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2020 32:27


    In a surprising twist, the New York Times changed its headline and lede. In this episode, Lessig explains the decision to withdraw the case. 

    EP 3 - Triggered

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2020 18:50


    Why this matters to me, and why regardless of cost, it is not something I can let go. clickbaitdefamation.org

    EP 2 - The Facts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 37:37


    An account of what happened and just why the publication by the Times was false. clickbaitdefamation.org

    EP 1 - Intro

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2020 15:16


    An introduction to the purpose and scope of the podcast, and into the basic facts of the case that has inspired it, Lessig v. NYT. clickbaitdefamation.org

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