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John Palfrey
@palfrey.org
1.3K followers 190 following 110 posts

President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

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John Gorham Palfrey VII is an American educator, scholar, and law professor. His areas of focus include emerging media, Internet freedom, online transparency and accountability, and child safety. In March 2019, he was named the president of the MacArthur Foundation effective September 1, 2019. Palfrey was the 15th Head of School at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, from 2012 to 2019. He was executive director of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society from 2002 to 2008. .. more

Political science 28%
Business 16%
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Reposted by Timnit Gebru

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 6h
It will be my privilege to join @timnitgebru.bsky.social and @ karenhao.bsky.social for this discussion on centering our humanity in the age of AI at @sxsw.com. I hope you can join us! #SXSW2026
sxsw.com
SXSW @sxsw.com · 8d
From an iconic 2000s band sharing their secrets on selling out tours to a futurist covering the biggest tech trends, there's something for everyone in this first round of #SXSW2026 Conference speaker announcement. ⬇️
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 1d
Chicago artist Tonika Lewis Johnson among 22 winners of coveted MacArthur ‘genius grant’

Congratulations to all the 2025 MacArthur Foundation Fellows

chicago.suntimes.com/art/2025/10/...
Chicago artist Tonika Lewis Johnson among 22 winners of coveted MacArthur ‘genius grant’
The Englewood native, whose work focuses on inequity in Chicago, is among this year’s class of MacArthur Fellows. The list of international fellows receiving the $800,000 prize includes several artist...
chicago.suntimes.com
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Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Robert C. Richards

palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 4d
Crucial historical and legal context for those of us living in Chicago right now... and those of us living anywhere in the USA for that matter.
stevevladeck.bsky.social
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 4d
The very first statute authorizing domestic use of the military during domestic emergencies, enacted in 1792 by a Congress full of the same folks who wrote and ratified the Constitution, expressly provided for judicial review in certain circumstances *before* the President could even send troops.
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Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Anna O. Law, Nandita Sharma , and 14 more

stevevladeck.bsky.social
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 4d
The very first statute authorizing domestic use of the military during domestic emergencies, enacted in 1792 by a Congress full of the same folks who wrote and ratified the Constitution, expressly provided for judicial review in certain circumstances *before* the President could even send troops.
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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Brendan Nyhan, John McLaren , and 12 more

davidjbier.bsky.social
David Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 6d
Holy hell. DHS just openly stated that its agents use “reasonable suspicion” to make ARRESTS. This is blatantly unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is clear that you need probable cause to arrest someone, as opposed to stop them to ask them a question or two. This is huge b/c…
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Reposted by John Palfrey

sxsw.com
SXSW @sxsw.com · 8d
From an iconic 2000s band sharing their secrets on selling out tours to a futurist covering the biggest tech trends, there's something for everyone in this first round of #SXSW2026 Conference speaker announcement. ⬇️
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 8d
"The most ominous part of his speech came when he told the military officers that they would be part of the solution to domestic threats, fighting the 'enemy from within.' ... 'We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military ... because we’re going into Chicago...'”
The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay
Trump put on a disturbing show for America’s generals and admirals.
www.theatlantic.com
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Reposted by John Palfrey, Pam Jarvis

sifill.bsky.social
Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 8d
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
James Comey case jeopardizes Americans' free speech rights, retired judges warn
A group of retired judges said Trump "continues to corruptly abuse the power of his office" by directing the Justice Department to target "his critics and his perceived political enemies."
www.nbcnews.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 11d
What could possibly justify any lawyer or law professor out there not speaking up about th attacks on the Rule of Law?

David French - no radical left-wing anything - has the story. This week marked an "ominous turn" in the attacks on the Rule of Law in America.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/o...
Opinion | Make No Mistake About Where We Are
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Robert C. Richards, John Palfrey

govpritzker.illinois.gov
Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 16d
Shana Tova to everyone celebrating in Illinois and across the world.

As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I want to wish you all a new year full of joy, good health, and prosperity.
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Reposted by John Palfrey

rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social
Rebuild Local News @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social · 17d
Nobel laureates Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Daron Acemoğlu issued an urgent plea to recognize and uphold the economic value of public interest media in the age of artificial intelligence.

Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...
Press Release: A global call from leading economists urge action to protect public interest media for economic prosperity and human progress  - Forum Information & Democracy
As world leaders convene for the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in New York, eleven of the world’s leading economists, including two Nobel laureates, Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Dar...
informationdemocracy.org
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Reposted by John Palfrey, Colin Woodard

jbf1755.bsky.social
Joanne Freeman @jbf1755.bsky.social · 18d
This.

I talked about this yesterday morning with Heather.

People with power grabbing a LOT more power to make their “reign” permanent, and overplaying their hand.

The Federalists in the late 1790s.
Silencing the opposition press.
They never regained national power.
cherylrofer.bsky.social
Cheryl Rofer @cherylrofer.bsky.social · 18d
Think in terms of unifying the opposition rather than breaking Trump's support.

Bouie and French mostly agreeing.

A lot of good stuff here.
Opinion | Jimmy Kimmel and How the Right Is Overplaying Its Hand
www.nytimes.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 6
The Late Show holding up the importance of local news and public media, starring Katherine Maher of @npr.org

www.facebook.com/reel/1729433...
689K views · 21K reactions | NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasizes that local public radio stations are more vital -- and more at risk -- than ever before. #Colbert #PublicRadio #NPR #KatherineMaher | T...
NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasizes that local public radio stations are more vital -- and more at risk -- than ever before. #Colbert #PublicRadio #NPR #KatherineMaher.
www.facebook.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 6
Peaceful morning at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago
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Reposted by John Palfrey

brennancenter.org
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · Sep 6
Over the next 15 months, we can expect a coordinated campaign — backed by the full power of the executive branch — to undermine confidence in our election system. Here’s what to expect, and how key actors can be ready to respond: bit.ly/4fRIqtA
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Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, David Lazer, Joshua S. Weitz , and 2 more

alondra.bsky.social
Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · Sep 5
This is big news. www.ft.com/content/96b5...
AI start-up Anthropic settles landmark copyright suit for $1.5bn
Case will compensate authors but could raise costs of training large language models
www.ft.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 5
SO much fun! Thanks to all who made this a wonderful, worldwide launch for Wired Wisdom! :)
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Reposted by John Palfrey

eszter.com
Eszter Hargittai @eszter.com · Sep 5
the book is officially launched :-) had a great time discussing our joint work with @palfrey.org at @bookends.bsky.social last night, wonderful turnout, great questions, fun celebration!

bit.ly/wiredwisdom tx @uchicagopress.bsky.social
photo collage of book launch event for Wired Wisdom by Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey; photos are of the event at Bookends & Beginnings in Evanston with Eszter and John discussing the book
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 4
TONIGHT AT 6 PM, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025!

Join us at Bookends and Beginnings in Evanston for the book launch event for Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online! cc: @eszter.com @bookends.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 3
Invest in Community to Keep Chicagoans Safe

www.linkedin.com/pulse/invest...
Invest in Community to Keep Chicagoans Safe
Asiaha Butler lives in Englewood, a South Side Chicago neighborhood that is home to an organic farm, public art, and a caring community. People who haven’t experienced Englewood first-hand may have on...
www.linkedin.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 3
Immigration Raids Being Planned Around Mexican Independence Celebrations, Pritzker Says

blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/02/i...
Immigration Raids Being Planned Around Mexican Independence Celebrations, Pritzker Says
“It breaks my heart to report that we have been told ICE will try and disrupt community picnics and peaceful gatherings,” set to celebrate Mexican Independence Day this weekend, Gov. JB Pritzker said.
blockclubchicago.org
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 29
Building bridges between funders and newsroom leaders

www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/buil...
Building bridges between funders and newsroom leaders - Editor and Publisher
The gap between journalists and the funders who can sustain their work has long been wide — sometimes a chasm. This spring, two back-to-back conferences in Philadelphia set out to narrow it, bringing ...
www.editorandpublisher.com

Reposted by David Lazer, John Palfrey

uchicagopress.bsky.social
The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · Aug 28
RSVP for free here! www.eventbrite.com/e/eszter-har...
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 28
Event sign-up link for Wired Wisdom book launch event with @eszter.com on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 pm in Evanston, IL, at @bookends.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.com/e/eszter-har...
Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey: "Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online"
A surprising window into the online lives of people sixty and over—offering essential insights, no matter your age.
www.eventbrite.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 28
Please join us! @eszter.com and I are launching Wired Wisdom at an in-person book event at @bookends.bsky.social in Evanston, IL, on Sept. 4 at 6 pm! See you there.
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 27
Yo-Yo Ma says music can help unite; he’s putting it to the test in Chicago

www.wbez.org/culture-the-...
Yo-Yo Ma says music can help unite; he’s putting it to the test in Chicago
The classical music superstar is teaming up with esteemed African vocalist Angélique Kidjo for a series of concerts that kick off Tuesday in Chicago.
www.wbez.org
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 27
"Chicago Reader finds new life with new buyer: 'I'm grateful that it's going to have a future'"

Wonderful news for the Chicago Reader. We are proud at @macfound.org to be in support of this next chapter for this storied Chicago institution.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/26/c...
Chicago Reader finds new life with new buyer: ‘I’m grateful that it’s going to have a future’
The Chicago Reader was purchased by Seattle-based Noisy Creek, which also owns alternative weeklies The Stranger and the Portland Mercury.
www.chicagotribune.com
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Reposted by Anna O. Law, Caroline Krafft, Sanford F. Schram , and 2 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 26
So far, the main businesses that have been financially benefited from AI have been the producers of blue books
www.wsj.com/business/cha...
They Were Every Student’s Worst Nightmare. Now Blue Books Are Back.
Cheating with ChatGPT has become a huge problem for colleges. The solution is painfully old-school.
www.wsj.com
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palfrey.org
John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 26
Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson tell President Trump to keep National Guard off the streets of Chicago chicago.suntimes.com/illinois-gov...
Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson tell President Trump to keep National Guard off the streets of Chicago
Flanked by Illinois Democrats, community advocates, business leaders and clergy, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson were unified in voicing that federal troops are not welcome or needed in Chi...
chicago.suntimes.com
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