Teri Kanefield
@terikanefield.bsky.social
Former appellate defender and UC Berkeley Law graduate. I’ve written more than a dozen books and published more than 50 pieces in major outlets including The Washington Post.
Website: www.terikanefield.com
Subscribe to my blog here: eepurl.com/h4xCMr
Website: www.terikanefield.com
Subscribe to my blog here: eepurl.com/h4xCMr
If you prefer to listen instead of read, you can find the YouTube series here: www.youtube.com/@TeriKanefie...
(I don't know why they're coming up out of order. I thought I selected the right button to make that happen but . . . 🤷♀️. Electronic things hate me.)
8/
(I don't know why they're coming up out of order. I thought I selected the right button to make that happen but . . . 🤷♀️. Electronic things hate me.)
8/
November 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
If you prefer to listen instead of read, you can find the YouTube series here: www.youtube.com/@TeriKanefie...
(I don't know why they're coming up out of order. I thought I selected the right button to make that happen but . . . 🤷♀️. Electronic things hate me.)
8/
(I don't know why they're coming up out of order. I thought I selected the right button to make that happen but . . . 🤷♀️. Electronic things hate me.)
8/
When I finished, I sent the series to a sound engineer because I hated how I sounded.
He performed his engineering magic, and it definitely sounds better, but, well, am I the only person who dislikes the sound of my own voice?
7/
He performed his engineering magic, and it definitely sounds better, but, well, am I the only person who dislikes the sound of my own voice?
7/
November 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
When I finished, I sent the series to a sound engineer because I hated how I sounded.
He performed his engineering magic, and it definitely sounds better, but, well, am I the only person who dislikes the sound of my own voice?
7/
He performed his engineering magic, and it definitely sounds better, but, well, am I the only person who dislikes the sound of my own voice?
7/
It’s finished.
It’s also not finished because, in the words of Paul Valéry, a piece of writing is never finished. Ultimately it is abandoned. That’s because writing is thinking, and we’re never finished with that.
Anyway, I figured out what to do with that long blog post . . .
1/
It’s also not finished because, in the words of Paul Valéry, a piece of writing is never finished. Ultimately it is abandoned. That’s because writing is thinking, and we’re never finished with that.
Anyway, I figured out what to do with that long blog post . . .
1/
November 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It’s finished.
It’s also not finished because, in the words of Paul Valéry, a piece of writing is never finished. Ultimately it is abandoned. That’s because writing is thinking, and we’re never finished with that.
Anyway, I figured out what to do with that long blog post . . .
1/
It’s also not finished because, in the words of Paul Valéry, a piece of writing is never finished. Ultimately it is abandoned. That’s because writing is thinking, and we’re never finished with that.
Anyway, I figured out what to do with that long blog post . . .
1/
You can find political messages in interesting places in California.
This painted rock was spotted along a trail in the coastal range.
This painted rock was spotted along a trail in the coastal range.
November 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
You can find political messages in interesting places in California.
This painted rock was spotted along a trail in the coastal range.
This painted rock was spotted along a trail in the coastal range.
(Trying again because of typo. . .)
Hello Bluesky Peeps.
I have a birth announcement.
(Yeah, I know it's corny, but I've been creating birth announcements for each book, beginning with my firstborn novel in 2001. Back then I didn't have photoshop.)
And now, a moment of reflection . . .
1/
Hello Bluesky Peeps.
I have a birth announcement.
(Yeah, I know it's corny, but I've been creating birth announcements for each book, beginning with my firstborn novel in 2001. Back then I didn't have photoshop.)
And now, a moment of reflection . . .
1/
May 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
(Trying again because of typo. . .)
Hello Bluesky Peeps.
I have a birth announcement.
(Yeah, I know it's corny, but I've been creating birth announcements for each book, beginning with my firstborn novel in 2001. Back then I didn't have photoshop.)
And now, a moment of reflection . . .
1/
Hello Bluesky Peeps.
I have a birth announcement.
(Yeah, I know it's corny, but I've been creating birth announcements for each book, beginning with my firstborn novel in 2001. Back then I didn't have photoshop.)
And now, a moment of reflection . . .
1/
After working all morning to get the blog post done, I needed a break. My favorite 3 year old challenged me to a game of hide and seek.
Where CAN he be?
(I'm sure his eyes are closed, which naturally makes it harder for me to see him.)
Where CAN he be?
(I'm sure his eyes are closed, which naturally makes it harder for me to see him.)
April 27, 2025 at 12:58 AM
After working all morning to get the blog post done, I needed a break. My favorite 3 year old challenged me to a game of hide and seek.
Where CAN he be?
(I'm sure his eyes are closed, which naturally makes it harder for me to see him.)
Where CAN he be?
(I'm sure his eyes are closed, which naturally makes it harder for me to see him.)
My totally unbiased first reader (my husband) said, "This one is interesting" so you know it must be interesting, right?
The post is here:
terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
The post is here:
terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
April 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
My totally unbiased first reader (my husband) said, "This one is interesting" so you know it must be interesting, right?
The post is here:
terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
The post is here:
terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
I have a blog post ready.
It's here: terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
When the Guardian, the Telegraph, and @jenmercieca.bsky.social recommended The Ideological Brain by Leor Zmigrod, I figured I should get a copy and read it.
So I did.
I'll start with a 2 picture summary of the book ⤵️
1/
It's here: terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
When the Guardian, the Telegraph, and @jenmercieca.bsky.social recommended The Ideological Brain by Leor Zmigrod, I figured I should get a copy and read it.
So I did.
I'll start with a 2 picture summary of the book ⤵️
1/
April 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I have a blog post ready.
It's here: terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
When the Guardian, the Telegraph, and @jenmercieca.bsky.social recommended The Ideological Brain by Leor Zmigrod, I figured I should get a copy and read it.
So I did.
I'll start with a 2 picture summary of the book ⤵️
1/
It's here: terikanefield.com/your-brain-o...
When the Guardian, the Telegraph, and @jenmercieca.bsky.social recommended The Ideological Brain by Leor Zmigrod, I figured I should get a copy and read it.
So I did.
I'll start with a 2 picture summary of the book ⤵️
1/
I forgot to include the cover of my book.
It should be in your local library. If not, go to the clerk and ask, "Why not!?"
(I love supporting local libraries. It's a good way to read the book and honor Barbara Johns's legacy as a librarian.)
It should be in your local library. If not, go to the clerk and ask, "Why not!?"
(I love supporting local libraries. It's a good way to read the book and honor Barbara Johns's legacy as a librarian.)
April 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I forgot to include the cover of my book.
It should be in your local library. If not, go to the clerk and ask, "Why not!?"
(I love supporting local libraries. It's a good way to read the book and honor Barbara Johns's legacy as a librarian.)
It should be in your local library. If not, go to the clerk and ask, "Why not!?"
(I love supporting local libraries. It's a good way to read the book and honor Barbara Johns's legacy as a librarian.)
OK so, why wasn’t she given credit for her role as an early leader in the Modern Civil Rights movement and one of the first to use nonviolence as a means of achieving racial equality in the US?
👇argues that Barbara wasn’t given credit because she was a child.
4/
👇argues that Barbara wasn’t given credit because she was a child.
4/
April 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM
OK so, why wasn’t she given credit for her role as an early leader in the Modern Civil Rights movement and one of the first to use nonviolence as a means of achieving racial equality in the US?
👇argues that Barbara wasn’t given credit because she was a child.
4/
👇argues that Barbara wasn’t given credit because she was a child.
4/
I just realized it's April 23.
That means it's the anniversary of the Farmville, Virginia Motion High School student strike.
What? You don't know about that?
Well, in 1951, Barbara Johns was fed up with the deplorable conditions in her segregated school, so she organized a strike.
1/
That means it's the anniversary of the Farmville, Virginia Motion High School student strike.
What? You don't know about that?
Well, in 1951, Barbara Johns was fed up with the deplorable conditions in her segregated school, so she organized a strike.
1/
April 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I just realized it's April 23.
That means it's the anniversary of the Farmville, Virginia Motion High School student strike.
What? You don't know about that?
Well, in 1951, Barbara Johns was fed up with the deplorable conditions in her segregated school, so she organized a strike.
1/
That means it's the anniversary of the Farmville, Virginia Motion High School student strike.
What? You don't know about that?
Well, in 1951, Barbara Johns was fed up with the deplorable conditions in her segregated school, so she organized a strike.
1/
I started out writing about the trial and execution of Socrates.
That brought me to the nature of subversiveness and the role of subversive elements in a democracy.
🎶 Come gather 'round people wherever you roam . . . "🎶
terikanefield.com/part-4-socra...
That brought me to the nature of subversiveness and the role of subversive elements in a democracy.
🎶 Come gather 'round people wherever you roam . . . "🎶
terikanefield.com/part-4-socra...
February 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I started out writing about the trial and execution of Socrates.
That brought me to the nature of subversiveness and the role of subversive elements in a democracy.
🎶 Come gather 'round people wherever you roam . . . "🎶
terikanefield.com/part-4-socra...
That brought me to the nature of subversiveness and the role of subversive elements in a democracy.
🎶 Come gather 'round people wherever you roam . . . "🎶
terikanefield.com/part-4-socra...
So anyway, I had this idea that everyone, particularly young people, should learn what is taught in law school.
I also had the idea that the way it is taught to young people is boring.
It wasn't until law school that I realized how interesting this stuff is.
The result ⤵️
(I am cross-posting)
I also had the idea that the way it is taught to young people is boring.
It wasn't until law school that I realized how interesting this stuff is.
The result ⤵️
(I am cross-posting)
November 20, 2024 at 2:26 PM
So anyway, I had this idea that everyone, particularly young people, should learn what is taught in law school.
I also had the idea that the way it is taught to young people is boring.
It wasn't until law school that I realized how interesting this stuff is.
The result ⤵️
(I am cross-posting)
I also had the idea that the way it is taught to young people is boring.
It wasn't until law school that I realized how interesting this stuff is.
The result ⤵️
(I am cross-posting)
This one is super nerdy. It's about theories of punishment, prosecutorial discretion, and the purpose of criminal law.
I even take issue with Immanuel Kant (so you know it's good)
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
2/
I even take issue with Immanuel Kant (so you know it's good)
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
2/
June 16, 2024 at 12:08 AM
This one is super nerdy. It's about theories of punishment, prosecutorial discretion, and the purpose of criminal law.
I even take issue with Immanuel Kant (so you know it's good)
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
2/
I even take issue with Immanuel Kant (so you know it's good)
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
2/
I have this weekend's blog post ready: I started to write about mundane things like arrest procedures and arraignments, and then I got caught up in more interesting issues like why we even have criminal law.
It's here:
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
1/
It's here:
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
1/
June 16, 2024 at 12:06 AM
I have this weekend's blog post ready: I started to write about mundane things like arrest procedures and arraignments, and then I got caught up in more interesting issues like why we even have criminal law.
It's here:
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
1/
It's here:
terikanefield.com/criminal-law...
1/
I'll also offer insights into the work of a criminal appellate defense lawyer.
For example, this was my cycle⤵️
All About Appeals is here: terikanefield.com/all-about-ap...
2/
For example, this was my cycle⤵️
All About Appeals is here: terikanefield.com/all-about-ap...
2/
June 1, 2024 at 9:04 PM
I'll also offer insights into the work of a criminal appellate defense lawyer.
For example, this was my cycle⤵️
All About Appeals is here: terikanefield.com/all-about-ap...
2/
For example, this was my cycle⤵️
All About Appeals is here: terikanefield.com/all-about-ap...
2/
In response to people telling me that I'm overestimating the ability of people to decode legal news, I attempt to prove this:
If people stop listening to legal pundits, they won't feel confused and they won't feel they need help from lawyers to decode the news.
terikanefield.com/beware-the-l...
If people stop listening to legal pundits, they won't feel confused and they won't feel they need help from lawyers to decode the news.
terikanefield.com/beware-the-l...
May 18, 2024 at 10:40 PM
In response to people telling me that I'm overestimating the ability of people to decode legal news, I attempt to prove this:
If people stop listening to legal pundits, they won't feel confused and they won't feel they need help from lawyers to decode the news.
terikanefield.com/beware-the-l...
If people stop listening to legal pundits, they won't feel confused and they won't feel they need help from lawyers to decode the news.
terikanefield.com/beware-the-l...
Scholastic asked me to write the articles because (I'm proud to tell you) I'm the author of the only book about Barbara Johns.
Barbara died in 1991.
When I started researching this book (in 2001) her family was afraid to talk to me because so much violence had come their way.
6/
Barbara died in 1991.
When I started researching this book (in 2001) her family was afraid to talk to me because so much violence had come their way.
6/
April 23, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Scholastic asked me to write the articles because (I'm proud to tell you) I'm the author of the only book about Barbara Johns.
Barbara died in 1991.
When I started researching this book (in 2001) her family was afraid to talk to me because so much violence had come their way.
6/
Barbara died in 1991.
When I started researching this book (in 2001) her family was afraid to talk to me because so much violence had come their way.
6/
Today is an important anniversary.
73 years ago, on April 23, 1951, in Farmville, VA, Barbara Johns led a walkout of her segregated high school to protest the unfair and deplorable conditions of her school.
What?! You don’t know who Barbara Johns was?
1/
73 years ago, on April 23, 1951, in Farmville, VA, Barbara Johns led a walkout of her segregated high school to protest the unfair and deplorable conditions of her school.
What?! You don’t know who Barbara Johns was?
1/
April 23, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Today is an important anniversary.
73 years ago, on April 23, 1951, in Farmville, VA, Barbara Johns led a walkout of her segregated high school to protest the unfair and deplorable conditions of her school.
What?! You don’t know who Barbara Johns was?
1/
73 years ago, on April 23, 1951, in Farmville, VA, Barbara Johns led a walkout of her segregated high school to protest the unfair and deplorable conditions of her school.
What?! You don’t know who Barbara Johns was?
1/
I have my weekend blog post ready.
You don’t have an affirmative Constitutional right to vote. (Did you know that?)
The right to vote was not (affirmatively) included in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or any other Amendments.
For more, see:
terikanefield.com/the-right-to...
You don’t have an affirmative Constitutional right to vote. (Did you know that?)
The right to vote was not (affirmatively) included in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or any other Amendments.
For more, see:
terikanefield.com/the-right-to...
March 16, 2024 at 9:29 PM
I have my weekend blog post ready.
You don’t have an affirmative Constitutional right to vote. (Did you know that?)
The right to vote was not (affirmatively) included in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or any other Amendments.
For more, see:
terikanefield.com/the-right-to...
You don’t have an affirmative Constitutional right to vote. (Did you know that?)
The right to vote was not (affirmatively) included in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or any other Amendments.
For more, see:
terikanefield.com/the-right-to...
I finished my series. The parts are linked. I added a few sections and revamped the conclusion.
It's about legal pundits and the Outrage Industry.
Click here to start: terikanefield.com/can-democrac...
1/
It's about legal pundits and the Outrage Industry.
Click here to start: terikanefield.com/can-democrac...
1/
March 12, 2024 at 2:32 PM
I finished my series. The parts are linked. I added a few sections and revamped the conclusion.
It's about legal pundits and the Outrage Industry.
Click here to start: terikanefield.com/can-democrac...
1/
It's about legal pundits and the Outrage Industry.
Click here to start: terikanefield.com/can-democrac...
1/
There is something for everyone:
Buttons for the two year to push.
An activity for his sister to be in charge of.
Plus I let them eat it with the measuring spoon and make a big mess.
Buttons for the two year to push.
An activity for his sister to be in charge of.
Plus I let them eat it with the measuring spoon and make a big mess.
March 10, 2024 at 3:14 PM
There is something for everyone:
Buttons for the two year to push.
An activity for his sister to be in charge of.
Plus I let them eat it with the measuring spoon and make a big mess.
Buttons for the two year to push.
An activity for his sister to be in charge of.
Plus I let them eat it with the measuring spoon and make a big mess.
His parents don't understand why he (and his three-year-old sister) say that chocolate milk is so much better at my house.
"Mommy you don't do it right! Aunt Teri's chocolate milk is better!"
Certainly. I let them sit on the counter and help. . .
1/
"Mommy you don't do it right! Aunt Teri's chocolate milk is better!"
Certainly. I let them sit on the counter and help. . .
1/
March 10, 2024 at 3:14 PM
His parents don't understand why he (and his three-year-old sister) say that chocolate milk is so much better at my house.
"Mommy you don't do it right! Aunt Teri's chocolate milk is better!"
Certainly. I let them sit on the counter and help. . .
1/
"Mommy you don't do it right! Aunt Teri's chocolate milk is better!"
Certainly. I let them sit on the counter and help. . .
1/
terikanefield.com/invented-nar...
Of course, if I suggested that, I was blasted for "both-sidesing."
Then I discovered an area of scholarship: Communications and the overlap between communications and political science.
I read these books and light bulbs came on.
3/
Of course, if I suggested that, I was blasted for "both-sidesing."
Then I discovered an area of scholarship: Communications and the overlap between communications and political science.
I read these books and light bulbs came on.
3/
March 10, 2024 at 2:07 AM
terikanefield.com/invented-nar...
Of course, if I suggested that, I was blasted for "both-sidesing."
Then I discovered an area of scholarship: Communications and the overlap between communications and political science.
I read these books and light bulbs came on.
3/
Of course, if I suggested that, I was blasted for "both-sidesing."
Then I discovered an area of scholarship: Communications and the overlap between communications and political science.
I read these books and light bulbs came on.
3/
I'll admit this week's blog post was fun to write (even if the topic, demagogues, is unsavory).
How often do I get to quote Prof. Harold Hill, post a drawing of a stork, and mention a $450 million judgment against Trump?
Click here for the blog post: terikanefield.com/the-perennia...
How often do I get to quote Prof. Harold Hill, post a drawing of a stork, and mention a $450 million judgment against Trump?
Click here for the blog post: terikanefield.com/the-perennia...
February 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
I'll admit this week's blog post was fun to write (even if the topic, demagogues, is unsavory).
How often do I get to quote Prof. Harold Hill, post a drawing of a stork, and mention a $450 million judgment against Trump?
Click here for the blog post: terikanefield.com/the-perennia...
How often do I get to quote Prof. Harold Hill, post a drawing of a stork, and mention a $450 million judgment against Trump?
Click here for the blog post: terikanefield.com/the-perennia...