John Palfrey Guidance on Writing Short EssaysFirst written in 2012 for high school students in my courses at Andover, lightly edited in 2026 to share for no particular reason other than a student somewhere might find it here. The length I expect for the short papers is roughly a page or two. The sweet-spot is 750 words, … Read more
This winter I’ve been enjoying two new books that speak to the topic of memory as one ages. Now into my 50s this topic has become more interesting than it once was. First came along Julian Barnes’ final (?) book, Departure(s). I think I have probably read most of Barnes’ novels along the way. This … Read more
In Turkey this past week, the discussion revolved in large measure around a law passed in May, 2007, called 5651. It is this law that the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry is charged with implementing, including Internet filtering. Translation credits to Turkish lawyers: ELIG, Attorneys-at-Law. LAW ON REGULATION OF BROADCASTS VIA INTERNET AND PREVENTION OF CRIMES … Read more
From Turkey, talking to lots of people about the future of Internet filtering, I’m struck by the value of a broad, public debate about what kind of a network we want the Internet to become over time. There are decisions, made on a daily basis, by dozens of states around the world, that affect the … Read more
Not quite 10 years ago, a literally once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came my way: I got the chance to be the third executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard. It was about four years old. The Berkman Center was blessed with visionary founders and talented students. It had been set up by … Read more
It’s been a long time since I sat down to write a blog post like this. Why did I open my computer this morning and log in to WordPress? Somewhat to my surprise, a few people who saw I had been to Delhi, India, for the AI Impact Summit asked me if I would report … Read more
Eszter Hargittai and I have been working on a book project for the past few years about how older people use new technologies. We’ve been delighted to partner with editor Joe Calamia and his team at the University of Chicago Press. This week, they told us it will be on the Spring, 2025 list–through peer … Read more
John Palfrey, MacArthur Foundation, October 1, 2023 To all the people of Concord, Massachusetts, and particularly to the town’s fabulous library staff and supporters: congratulations on your 150th anniversary! Thank you for the honor of inviting me to share a few thoughts on this historic day, in this historic place. We should pause when things go … Read more
The International Council of the Museum of Modern Art Prepared RemarksThe Arts Club, Chicago, IL, April 2023 I too have called Chicago home for nearly four years now, since I was appointed President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. While MacArthur is rooted in our hometown, Chicago, we are proud of our … Read more
Prepared Remarks City Club of Chicago, July 28, 2021 Thank you, Jacki, for your kind introduction. And thanks to the City Club of Chicago for inviting me to speak at this virtual luncheon. I wish of course we were all together in person, having a nice pasta at Maggiano’s, but that will come in due … Read more