The Law, such as it is
The Law, such as it is
Lawrence Lessig
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.
The Closing Argument
In this final episode, Lessig pulls together the argument from across the season. Why did this happen? What should happen next?
May 6
1 hr 52 min
Unpacking the final allegation — "Allegation 1"
Allegation 1 is the only allegation within the 6 year limit for fraud investigation. In this episode, we show why it too fails — and the astonishing failure in the investigation that could have shown precisely what had happened. 
Apr 17
47 min
Unpacking "Allegation 3"
In this episode, we review Allegation 3, and reveal the simple omission that undermined the investigation into this allegation.
Apr 15
48 min
Dismantling "Allegation 4"
We continue in this episode by unpacking the charges behind allegation number 4, which involved a paper written 15 years ago.
Jan 30
58 min
Allegation 2, continued
Clarifying one additional point about Allegation 2 in less than ten minutes.
Dec 1, 2025
8 min
Dismantling "Allegation 2"
So far, this podcast has considered the procedural flaws that marred the process that led to Francesca Gino's tenure being revoked. With this episode, we begin dismantling the substantive conclusions as they relate to the four alleged cases of fraud. We begin with "Allegation 2." 
Nov 17, 2025
59 min
How you know when a process has too many lawyers
In this second of two episodes interviewing Francesca, we cover the period from HBS' determination that she had committed academic misconduct through the University's decision to revoke her tenure. 
Sep 18, 2025
1 hr 17 min
How You Know a Business School is Not a Law School
In this first of two episodes interviewing Francesca, we cover a bit about the nature of her work, and then the period beginning from the charges being raised against her through the business school's determination that she had committed academic misconduct.
Aug 21, 2025
1 hr 53 min
Introduction
Francesca Gino was a superstar at the Harvard Business School. This year, she was fired for academic misconduct. In this season, we'll explore that story through interviews with Francesca and others. This episode introduces the story and the plan of the season.
Aug 21, 2025
24 min
Episode 8 - System Error
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.
Nov 9, 2021
1 hr 16 min
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