I finally read the @ichotiner.bsky.social interview with #CassSunstein that everyone's been talking about. He doesn't actually talk about the left much. But Chotiner really draws out just how far Sunstein will contort himself to make room, not just for conservatives, but genuine reactionaries.
Link? Been meaning to write about his new book. I haven't read it, but his media blitz is 🙄. I like the general idea: broaden the liberal tent to include everyone from FDR to Reagan. But he falls into typical anti-idpol centrist thinking. And he defines the left as anti-free speech. Great timing!
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 AM
I finally read the @ichotiner.bsky.social interview with #CassSunstein that everyone's been talking about. He doesn't actually talk about the left much. But Chotiner really draws out just how far Sunstein will contort himself to make room, not just for conservatives, but genuine reactionaries.
I wrote an article about the policy irrelevance of the social cost of carbon in the hopes of prompting an uncomfortable conversation about the future use of the metric.
So I was excited to see that @Revkin asked @CassSunstein about my critique 🧵
revkin.substack.com/p/a-fresh-lo...
So I was excited to see that @Revkin asked @CassSunstein about my critique 🧵
revkin.substack.com/p/a-fresh-lo...
A Fresh Look at Climate [In]Justice (and Trump 2.0) with Cass Sunstein
I hope you’ll listen to, and share, this conversation on climate policy in the age of Trump (and lots more) with the wide-ranging Harvard economist Cass Sunstein. Sunstein worked under two presidents ...
revkin.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I wrote an article about the policy irrelevance of the social cost of carbon in the hopes of prompting an uncomfortable conversation about the future use of the metric.
So I was excited to see that @Revkin asked @CassSunstein about my critique 🧵
revkin.substack.com/p/a-fresh-lo...
So I was excited to see that @Revkin asked @CassSunstein about my critique 🧵
revkin.substack.com/p/a-fresh-lo...
My first read of 2025.
Found this gem from a treasure trove by Suva Chattopadhyay's suva.substack.com/p/some-of-my...
#LookAgain #TaliSharot #CassSunstein
Found this gem from a treasure trove by Suva Chattopadhyay's suva.substack.com/p/some-of-my...
#LookAgain #TaliSharot #CassSunstein
January 6, 2025 at 9:35 AM
My first read of 2025.
Found this gem from a treasure trove by Suva Chattopadhyay's suva.substack.com/p/some-of-my...
#LookAgain #TaliSharot #CassSunstein
Found this gem from a treasure trove by Suva Chattopadhyay's suva.substack.com/p/some-of-my...
#LookAgain #TaliSharot #CassSunstein
Some people object to nudges because they allegedly reduce agency.
They don’t have to. Some even promote agency, argues @casssunstein, in a (prematurely pdf-ed) paper on ethical nudging (= enhancing or preserving welfare, autonomy and dignity):

buff.ly/DTPjyuy
They don’t have to. Some even promote agency, argues @casssunstein, in a (prematurely pdf-ed) paper on ethical nudging (= enhancing or preserving welfare, autonomy and dignity):

buff.ly/DTPjyuy
April 4, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Some people object to nudges because they allegedly reduce agency.
They don’t have to. Some even promote agency, argues @casssunstein, in a (prematurely pdf-ed) paper on ethical nudging (= enhancing or preserving welfare, autonomy and dignity):

buff.ly/DTPjyuy
They don’t have to. Some even promote agency, argues @casssunstein, in a (prematurely pdf-ed) paper on ethical nudging (= enhancing or preserving welfare, autonomy and dignity):

buff.ly/DTPjyuy
@casssunstein.bsky.social's book, Imperfect Oracle: What AI Can and Cannot Do, is coming on 10/14! In the meantime, read his words on what AI cannot do in the fall issue of Liberties Journal.
Order the book: www.pennpress.org/978160618137...
#casssunstein #artificialintelligence #libertiesjournal
Order the book: www.pennpress.org/978160618137...
#casssunstein #artificialintelligence #libertiesjournal
What AI Cannot Do, Not Now, Not Ever - Liberties
I am about to flip a coin. Can you predict whether it will be heads or tails? You might have gotten it right. (It was heads.) But if so, you were lucky. Whether it would come up heads or tails depends...
libertiesjournal.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
@casssunstein.bsky.social's book, Imperfect Oracle: What AI Can and Cannot Do, is coming on 10/14! In the meantime, read his words on what AI cannot do in the fall issue of Liberties Journal.
Order the book: www.pennpress.org/978160618137...
#casssunstein #artificialintelligence #libertiesjournal
Order the book: www.pennpress.org/978160618137...
#casssunstein #artificialintelligence #libertiesjournal
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Can it be morally right to act unlawfully?
The Morality of Legality holds that it is a moral wrong, and essentially taboo, for those who work in the executive branch to act unlawfully—no ifs or buts.
That is—and should be—a norm, argues @casssunstein:
buff.ly/EzuoUE2
The Morality of Legality holds that it is a moral wrong, and essentially taboo, for those who work in the executive branch to act unlawfully—no ifs or buts.
That is—and should be—a norm, argues @casssunstein:
buff.ly/EzuoUE2
September 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Can it be morally right to act unlawfully?
The Morality of Legality holds that it is a moral wrong, and essentially taboo, for those who work in the executive branch to act unlawfully—no ifs or buts.
That is—and should be—a norm, argues @casssunstein:
buff.ly/EzuoUE2
The Morality of Legality holds that it is a moral wrong, and essentially taboo, for those who work in the executive branch to act unlawfully—no ifs or buts.
That is—and should be—a norm, argues @casssunstein:
buff.ly/EzuoUE2
I would add, "Anarchy, State, And Utopia" By Robert Nozick, for an argument for minimal government. https://x.com/CassSunstein/status/803325099151605761
February 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I would add, "Anarchy, State, And Utopia" By Robert Nozick, for an argument for minimal government. https://x.com/CassSunstein/status/803325099151605761
“But the broadest current claims about #executiveauthority are a creation of the 21st century, not the 18th. They are a form of hubris. They strike at the heart of our founding document.” via #CassSunstein www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/o...
Opinion | The Dubious Theory Behind Trump’s Power Grab
If the president gets his way, it will mark a significant change in the operations of the national government and a major shift in power.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“But the broadest current claims about #executiveauthority are a creation of the 21st century, not the 18th. They are a form of hubris. They strike at the heart of our founding document.” via #CassSunstein www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/o...
NEW PAPER w/ @CassSunstein
The Biden Administration has proposed new rules to make benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of spending more equitable. We explain how we got here, why the rules’ critics are wrong, & where to go from here.
ssrn.com/abstract=458... 1/
The Biden Administration has proposed new rules to make benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of spending more equitable. We explain how we got here, why the rules’ critics are wrong, & where to go from here.
ssrn.com/abstract=458... 1/
October 6, 2023 at 12:57 PM
NEW PAPER w/ @CassSunstein
The Biden Administration has proposed new rules to make benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of spending more equitable. We explain how we got here, why the rules’ critics are wrong, & where to go from here.
ssrn.com/abstract=458... 1/
The Biden Administration has proposed new rules to make benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of spending more equitable. We explain how we got here, why the rules’ critics are wrong, & where to go from here.
ssrn.com/abstract=458... 1/
Paternalism determines the divisions among different behavioural science perspectives.
@casssunstein—who arguably has a horse in this race 😎—juxtaposes
•coercive paternalism (mandating)
•libertarian paternalism (nudging)
•antipaternalism (boosting)
buff.ly/nZ2QU64
@casssunstein—who arguably has a horse in this race 😎—juxtaposes
•coercive paternalism (mandating)
•libertarian paternalism (nudging)
•antipaternalism (boosting)
buff.ly/nZ2QU64
January 9, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Paternalism determines the divisions among different behavioural science perspectives.
@casssunstein—who arguably has a horse in this race 😎—juxtaposes
•coercive paternalism (mandating)
•libertarian paternalism (nudging)
•antipaternalism (boosting)
buff.ly/nZ2QU64
@casssunstein—who arguably has a horse in this race 😎—juxtaposes
•coercive paternalism (mandating)
•libertarian paternalism (nudging)
•antipaternalism (boosting)
buff.ly/nZ2QU64
On Oct. 23 at noon ET, Susan Stokes and @CassSunstein explore the current challenges facing liberalism and why liberalism remains essential to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Register for #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/HGvm50XctUP
Register for #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/HGvm50XctUP
October 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
On Oct. 23 at noon ET, Susan Stokes and @CassSunstein explore the current challenges facing liberalism and why liberalism remains essential to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Register for #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/HGvm50XctUP
Register for #AmericasTownHall: https://ow.ly/HGvm50XctUP
“Irrational decision or helpful evolutionary adaptation? A philosopher on the rationality wars behind ‘nudge’ policy”
(I’m not sure @r_thaler and @casssunstein would agree with the characterization of nudging in this article.)
buff.ly/Uzt8b2B
(I’m not sure @r_thaler and @casssunstein would agree with the characterization of nudging in this article.)
buff.ly/Uzt8b2B
April 22, 2026 at 8:17 PM
“Irrational decision or helpful evolutionary adaptation? A philosopher on the rationality wars behind ‘nudge’ policy”
(I’m not sure @r_thaler and @casssunstein would agree with the characterization of nudging in this article.)
buff.ly/Uzt8b2B
(I’m not sure @r_thaler and @casssunstein would agree with the characterization of nudging in this article.)
buff.ly/Uzt8b2B
This fucking guy (and his wife)…
June 29, 2024 at 3:41 PM
This fucking guy (and his wife)…
good points here by @CassSunstein on the need for politicians to focus on what people hear, not what the politician says
open.substack.com/pub/casssun...
open.substack.com/pub/casssun...
How Politicians Make Us Feel
"Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation"
casssunstein.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
good points here by @CassSunstein on the need for politicians to focus on what people hear, not what the politician says
open.substack.com/pub/casssun...
open.substack.com/pub/casssun...
“Willingness to pay” (WTP) is an appealingly simple, straightforward measure the value of a good to an individual—and the welfare it provides.
But is it really, always that simple?
@casssunstein explores several important challenges:
buff.ly/m9bzBgi
But is it really, always that simple?
@casssunstein explores several important challenges:
buff.ly/m9bzBgi
November 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“Willingness to pay” (WTP) is an appealingly simple, straightforward measure the value of a good to an individual—and the welfare it provides.
But is it really, always that simple?
@casssunstein explores several important challenges:
buff.ly/m9bzBgi
But is it really, always that simple?
@casssunstein explores several important challenges:
buff.ly/m9bzBgi
Should everything be permitted to be traded in a free market in principle?
A very a good question indeed, and @casssunstein explores five often raised objections to such commodification, sometimes relying on dubious assumptions, and often overstated:
buff.ly/NWBLHt4
A very a good question indeed, and @casssunstein explores five often raised objections to such commodification, sometimes relying on dubious assumptions, and often overstated:
buff.ly/NWBLHt4
May 20, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Should everything be permitted to be traded in a free market in principle?
A very a good question indeed, and @casssunstein explores five often raised objections to such commodification, sometimes relying on dubious assumptions, and often overstated:
buff.ly/NWBLHt4
A very a good question indeed, and @casssunstein explores five often raised objections to such commodification, sometimes relying on dubious assumptions, and often overstated:
buff.ly/NWBLHt4
Does an AI have rights? @casssunstein doesn’t give a clear unequivocal answer, but logically decomposes the question—for example, what are the necessary and sufficient conditions for an AI to be entitled to rights (and which ones)?
buff.ly/eF0aasl
buff.ly/eF0aasl
June 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Does an AI have rights? @casssunstein doesn’t give a clear unequivocal answer, but logically decomposes the question—for example, what are the necessary and sufficient conditions for an AI to be entitled to rights (and which ones)?
buff.ly/eF0aasl
buff.ly/eF0aasl
Proximity bias—choosing to suffer serious welfare losses in terms of eg health or wealth for modest welfare gains in terms of proximity—can be seen as a form of present bias, with extreme forms counted as pathological.
New paper by @casssunstein:
buff.ly/x7Q3gqg
New paper by @casssunstein:
buff.ly/x7Q3gqg
December 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Proximity bias—choosing to suffer serious welfare losses in terms of eg health or wealth for modest welfare gains in terms of proximity—can be seen as a form of present bias, with extreme forms counted as pathological.
New paper by @casssunstein:
buff.ly/x7Q3gqg
New paper by @casssunstein:
buff.ly/x7Q3gqg
Ostracism, a form of punishment that emerged as our ancestors began to live in cooperative tribes, is still very much in our toolbox.
Today—as back then—it is a bit like death penalty. But it is not just a response to bad deeds, writes @casssunstein:
buff.ly/tHA6qq1
Today—as back then—it is a bit like death penalty. But it is not just a response to bad deeds, writes @casssunstein:
buff.ly/tHA6qq1
April 18, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Ostracism, a form of punishment that emerged as our ancestors began to live in cooperative tribes, is still very much in our toolbox.
Today—as back then—it is a bit like death penalty. But it is not just a response to bad deeds, writes @casssunstein:
buff.ly/tHA6qq1
Today—as back then—it is a bit like death penalty. But it is not just a response to bad deeds, writes @casssunstein:
buff.ly/tHA6qq1
🌱I will be moderating a panel at the Defund Meat Conference, held at the MPI in Heidelberg, Germany, next week.
The conference gathers experts, including @KatharinaPistor and @CassSunstein, to rethink global meat governance through legal, economic, and policy lenses.🌍
www.mpil.de/files/pdf6/d...
The conference gathers experts, including @KatharinaPistor and @CassSunstein, to rethink global meat governance through legal, economic, and policy lenses.🌍
www.mpil.de/files/pdf6/d...
www.mpil.de
January 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
🌱I will be moderating a panel at the Defund Meat Conference, held at the MPI in Heidelberg, Germany, next week.
The conference gathers experts, including @KatharinaPistor and @CassSunstein, to rethink global meat governance through legal, economic, and policy lenses.🌍
www.mpil.de/files/pdf6/d...
The conference gathers experts, including @KatharinaPistor and @CassSunstein, to rethink global meat governance through legal, economic, and policy lenses.🌍
www.mpil.de/files/pdf6/d...
We cover science of moral psych (moral typecasting), ideas from @glukianoff & @JonHaidt (coddling), @CassSunstein (new normal), @conor64 (concept creep), and data from @DanTGilbert (prevalence induced concept creep).
March 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
We cover science of moral psych (moral typecasting), ideas from @glukianoff & @JonHaidt (coddling), @CassSunstein (new normal), @conor64 (concept creep), and data from @DanTGilbert (prevalence induced concept creep).