TEDxSanAntonio- Lawrence Lessig- Citizens: The Need and the Requirements

About this talk: Starting with Thoreau and moving through the cost of sugar versus corn and diabetes, Lawrence Lessig gives a compelling — and visually breathtaking — presentation on the impact of campaign cash on the policies of our nation. His message: We need citizens to take back our democracy.

About Lawrence Lessig: Professor Lessig is the director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, and a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Prior to returning to Harvard, he was a professor at Stanford Law School, where he founded the school's Center for Internet and Society, and at the University of Chicago. For more information on Lessig: HYPERLINK "http://www.ethics.harvard.edu/people/faculty" www.Ethics.Harvard.edu/people/faculty

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Video Opener by Rod Guajardo foursandtfeet.com. Music: MUSICXXX Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• TEDxSanAntonio
• Lawrence
• Lessig
• Citizens
• The
• Need
• and
• the
• Requirements
• Our
• Nation
• Desperately
• Needs

[dumky]

I like Lessig. He's a great speaker and he recognizes many ways in which our political and legal system are corrupted.

But he fails to recognize the inevitability of such corruption with any government.

Government has unique power (usage of force, including taxation and legislation). This will attract special interests, and they will find ways due to asymmetry of incentives.

What is really needed from government? Trying to contain power is risky. Shrinking the power is safer.

[pablo2garcia]

broken link!!

but easy to fix

[stevedekorte]

How about a direct democracy instead? That would remove any reason to bribe politicians with campaign contributions as they couldn't pass legislation - only the public could. BTW, campaign contributions aren't the only bribes - look at how much politicians earn when they leave office and get all their quid pro quo deals settled up.

[revbuddylove]

Just found this video from a twitter post, very impressive. I hope it gets passed around.

[AcidRain64]

All the talks were great, but this was my favorite.. perfect closer. So glad I was there, let's do it again soon! :-D