RTFA: http://lessig08.org/

After lots of thinking and advice, I have decided it does not make sense for the Change Congress movement for me to a run for Congress in CA12. We would have just over 30 days to introduce a district to me and to an idea. That would not be enough time to convince them to turn away from an extremely popular politician with 30 years of public service. And while anyone within the district would understand that, outside the district, the lesson would be that a “Change Congress” message has no salience or support. That would, in my view, harm the movement more than it would help.

So thank you to everyone who helped here. All the remaining funds in the campaign will be given to Change Congress (as soon as the paper work for that organization gets settled). And I would urge everyone who signed up here to signup there.

Whelp, to put it irreverantly, toss that website in the deadpool. But back in reality, Lessig ‘08 was a really fascinating event to witness, and while I would have cheered Larry along if he went for it, I also buy his reasoning for not running. So, thanks for the inspiring ideas, and I’ll be listening…

RTFA: http://lessig08.org/

exploratory
projects - first, a Change Congress movement, and second, my own decision whether to run for Congress in the
California 12th.

I have decided I want to give as much energy as I can to the Change Congress movement. I will decide in the next week or so whether it makes sense to advance that movement by running for Congress.

Many friends have weighed in on that decision - both strongly in favor and strongly opposed. Many more have joined draftlessig.org and a Facebook group asking me to consider it.

Watch or listen and you will understand some of my reasoning. Feel free to send your thoughts or advice to lessig@lessig08.org (though please excuse any slowness in my response).

Wow - very interesting development. I mean, the guy is basically an attorney, so it’s not like he’s a n00b at policy. Also, he started the Creative Commons, which is a profoundly economic contract for the public. He can motivate and mobilize people, and he’s been articulating his ideas publicly, through books and other media, for more than a decade. He has reputation and accountability. Of course, Lessig lives across the bay, and therefore isn’t going to represent me in a direct sense.

RTFA: http://lessig.org/blog/2007/10/corruption_lecture_…

As promised, here’s the first lecture on corruption. It is an alpha version. I’m eager for comments and feedback. My first written feedback came from Aaron Swartz, with whom I had conspired last winter about making this move. I’ll post his comments and some replies later today. I’ve also set up a page on the wiki where I will collect significant versions of the argument. Summary and criticism there would be helpful.

Hmm.. I haven’t watched this in its entirety, since it’s 65 minutes on Google Video. However, it’s on the list - perhaps for tonight?