Pioneering women's rights lawyer and activist Catharine A. MacKinnon explores the "Butterfly Effect" in law. She argues that seemingly minor legal interventions can generate major social and

Pioneering women's rights lawyer and activist Catharine A. MacKinnon explores the "Butterfly Effect" in law. She argues that seemingly minor legal interventions can generate major social and cultural transformations, inspiring equality seekers to spread their wings.

A distinguished Elizabeth A. Long Professor of Law at Michigan Law, MacKinnon specializes in sex equality issues under international and domestic law. Watch her discuss these powerful ideas in our latest RSA Spotlight video. For the full talk, click here. Learn more about her work here.

Foreign policy expert Fiona Hill, from a coal-mining town, served under three presidents. Her book, "There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century," warns of

Foreign policy expert Fiona Hill, from a coal-mining town, served under three presidents. Her book, "There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century," warns of America's socioeconomic collapse and authoritarian shift, advocating for expanded opportunity.

Hill discussed these insights with Ellen Nakashima (The Washington Post) on October 12, 2021. This program is part of the Good Lit series by The Commonwealth Club, the nation's oldest public affairs forum.

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Viral Shah, an Indian computer scientist and co-founder/CEO of Julia Computing, highlights how computation, particularly his Julia Language, can solve major climate change issues. Julia, a

Viral Shah, an Indian computer scientist and co-founder/CEO of Julia Computing, highlights how computation, particularly his Julia Language, can solve major climate change issues. Julia, a high-impact language, defies the notion that productivity and performance are mutually exclusive in programming. He encourages students to use computation for social impact and global problem-solving.

Shah's contributions extend to the Aadhaar Project and co-authoring "Rebooting India." His work on the Julia Language earned him the 2019 J. H. Wilkinson Prize, and he received the 2013 SETWG award for co-creating Circuitscape. This talk was presented at a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Julia Butterfly Hill lived for over two years in a 2000-year-old redwood in Northern California, protecting it from a logging company's chainsaws.

During her first winter, a severe storm

Julia Butterfly Hill lived for over two years in a 2000-year-old redwood in Northern California, protecting it from a logging company's chainsaws.

During her first winter, a severe storm nearly killed her on her tiny perch. Julia recounts the horror and profound life lessons learned from those terrifying hours.

Environmental and social justice activist Julia Butterfly Hill argues that our perception of being

Environmental and social justice activist Julia Butterfly Hill argues that our perception of being separate from the natural world has cultivated a "disposability consciousness."

This mindset, she explains, leads to the exploitation of resources and people, contributing to both environmental degradation and social injustice. Hill advocates for a shift towards interconnectedness to foster a more sustainable and equitable future.

In her reflection titled "Disconnection," Julia Butterfly Hill introduces "separation syndrome" as the fatal consequence of severing our ties to life. She illustrates this by noting that a plant

In her reflection titled "Disconnection," Julia Butterfly Hill introduces "separation syndrome" as the fatal consequence of severing our ties to life. She illustrates this by noting that a plant dies when its roots are ripped from the earth, mirroring how humanity perishes when we detach from our connected consciousness.

Hill argues that this profound disconnection leads to the demise of our planet, our human families, and the entire global family. Her message underscores the critical importance of recognizing and nurturing our interconnectedness for collective survival.

This Dateline story, uploaded December 31, 2008, features Julia Butterfly Hill. It documents her 14-month stay in a redwood tree, twenty stories high, to protect an old-growth Northern California

This Dateline story, uploaded December 31, 2008, features Julia Butterfly Hill. It documents her 14-month stay in a redwood tree, twenty stories high, to protect an old-growth Northern California forest.

Learn more about Julia at juliabutterfly.com.