Peter Kovalsky
@philawsophist.bsky.social
Progressive lawyer shouting into the void. He/him, mostly.
If you're not still masking,* you're excluding me and people like me from public life.
* in an infectious disease way, not a neurodiversity way
www.lawexplainer.com
www.medium.com/@pkovalsky
If you're not still masking,* you're excluding me and people like me from public life.
* in an infectious disease way, not a neurodiversity way
www.lawexplainer.com
www.medium.com/@pkovalsky
Pinned
Pro tip for keeping your language inclusive and welcoming, especially to disabled folks: when discussing almost anything about covid except the mandatory lockdown period, replace all instances of "was" with "has been."
For example:
"Covid was a hard time" >> "Covid has been a hard time."
For example:
"Covid was a hard time" >> "Covid has been a hard time."
It's not that we need to touch grass, it's that we need them to only be able to touch their families through panes of glass.
Which as broadly an anti-carceralist is a disorienting position to find myself supporting, but here we are.
Which as broadly an anti-carceralist is a disorienting position to find myself supporting, but here we are.
Touching grass is not enough, I need ICE agents to be prosecuted.
February 8, 2026 at 5:09 PM
It's not that we need to touch grass, it's that we need them to only be able to touch their families through panes of glass.
Which as broadly an anti-carceralist is a disorienting position to find myself supporting, but here we are.
Which as broadly an anti-carceralist is a disorienting position to find myself supporting, but here we are.
Not that places like Germany and South Africa don't still have their own problems, but to my knowledge they're among the only countries that have done any kind of formal, intentional reckoning with their nation-level "missteps." I'm extremely not qualified to do this, but I really hope that... 1/4🧵
February 8, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Not that places like Germany and South Africa don't still have their own problems, but to my knowledge they're among the only countries that have done any kind of formal, intentional reckoning with their nation-level "missteps." I'm extremely not qualified to do this, but I really hope that... 1/4🧵
Just finished @goingmedieval.bsky.social's excellent "The Once and Future Sex" and felt throughout like it'd make an excellent companion piece to @adapalmer.bsky.social's also-excellent "Inventing the Renaissance."
If you've read and liked one, consider picking up the other!
If you've read and liked one, consider picking up the other!
February 2, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Just finished @goingmedieval.bsky.social's excellent "The Once and Future Sex" and felt throughout like it'd make an excellent companion piece to @adapalmer.bsky.social's also-excellent "Inventing the Renaissance."
If you've read and liked one, consider picking up the other!
If you've read and liked one, consider picking up the other!
Spent ~90 minutes on hold with the USPTO. The most frustrating part was hearing "our specialists are busy assisting other customers."
It feels gross to be addressed as a customer by the government.
"Customer" implies a distance that just isn't apt for institutions we're constituents of.
It feels gross to be addressed as a customer by the government.
"Customer" implies a distance that just isn't apt for institutions we're constituents of.
January 30, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Spent ~90 minutes on hold with the USPTO. The most frustrating part was hearing "our specialists are busy assisting other customers."
It feels gross to be addressed as a customer by the government.
"Customer" implies a distance that just isn't apt for institutions we're constituents of.
It feels gross to be addressed as a customer by the government.
"Customer" implies a distance that just isn't apt for institutions we're constituents of.
Reposted by Peter Kovalsky
Immigration is good, actually
Fascism is bad
I thought we learned this over the past century
and really wish that we had
Fascism is bad
I thought we learned this over the past century
and really wish that we had
January 23, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Immigration is good, actually
Fascism is bad
I thought we learned this over the past century
and really wish that we had
Fascism is bad
I thought we learned this over the past century
and really wish that we had
I've been thinking about appropriate guardrails for genAI tools (assuming we can't yeet them into the sun). Most of the ones floating out there are content-specific: "don't teach people how to make bombs," etc. What I'm proposing here is content-agnostic, and comes in a weak and a strong form. 1/3🧵
January 13, 2026 at 2:18 AM
I've been thinking about appropriate guardrails for genAI tools (assuming we can't yeet them into the sun). Most of the ones floating out there are content-specific: "don't teach people how to make bombs," etc. What I'm proposing here is content-agnostic, and comes in a weak and a strong form. 1/3🧵
Like many, I watched the footage today of ICE summarily killing a US citizen in Minneapolis. The video is distressing. The event captured by the video is distressing. The fact that the DHS is blatantly and demonstrably lying about what happened is distressing.
But there's a deeper problem. 1/5🧵
But there's a deeper problem. 1/5🧵
January 8, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Like many, I watched the footage today of ICE summarily killing a US citizen in Minneapolis. The video is distressing. The event captured by the video is distressing. The fact that the DHS is blatantly and demonstrably lying about what happened is distressing.
But there's a deeper problem. 1/5🧵
But there's a deeper problem. 1/5🧵
Just catching up on the Cautionary Tales episode about the Therac-25 machine, and suddenly intensely curious if @timharford.ft.com has read @jessiesinger.bsky.social's excellent book, There Are No Accidents.
That's an episode of Cautionary Questions/Conversations I'd tune in for!
That's an episode of Cautionary Questions/Conversations I'd tune in for!
December 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Just catching up on the Cautionary Tales episode about the Therac-25 machine, and suddenly intensely curious if @timharford.ft.com has read @jessiesinger.bsky.social's excellent book, There Are No Accidents.
That's an episode of Cautionary Questions/Conversations I'd tune in for!
That's an episode of Cautionary Questions/Conversations I'd tune in for!
Finally got around to watching @myqkaplan.bsky.social's latest special, Rini, on YouTube. It was a real hit here, even with my partner who normally hates standup.
Funny, smart, sweet, and extremely autistic. Worth your while if you like any of those things, and especially if you like all of them.
Funny, smart, sweet, and extremely autistic. Worth your while if you like any of those things, and especially if you like all of them.
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Finally got around to watching @myqkaplan.bsky.social's latest special, Rini, on YouTube. It was a real hit here, even with my partner who normally hates standup.
Funny, smart, sweet, and extremely autistic. Worth your while if you like any of those things, and especially if you like all of them.
Funny, smart, sweet, and extremely autistic. Worth your while if you like any of those things, and especially if you like all of them.
Me: "Self-diagnosing with autism is totally valid... for *other* people."
Also me: lived well into my 20s believing that blowing my nose just didn't work for me (and was very painful), because I was trying to do what I saw others doing -- plugging *both* of my nostrils before blowing hard.
Also me: lived well into my 20s believing that blowing my nose just didn't work for me (and was very painful), because I was trying to do what I saw others doing -- plugging *both* of my nostrils before blowing hard.
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Me: "Self-diagnosing with autism is totally valid... for *other* people."
Also me: lived well into my 20s believing that blowing my nose just didn't work for me (and was very painful), because I was trying to do what I saw others doing -- plugging *both* of my nostrils before blowing hard.
Also me: lived well into my 20s believing that blowing my nose just didn't work for me (and was very painful), because I was trying to do what I saw others doing -- plugging *both* of my nostrils before blowing hard.
Forgot to post this here on No Kings Day, but here's a slightly belated primer on why consolidation of power is bad -- even if we disregard the relative goodness or badness of the person in whom power is being consolidated.
The Calamity of Kings
Or: The importance of pretzels
medium.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Forgot to post this here on No Kings Day, but here's a slightly belated primer on why consolidation of power is bad -- even if we disregard the relative goodness or badness of the person in whom power is being consolidated.
Back in college, I had a professor with whom I'd established an excellent rapport. During my third class with her, we had an exam on a sub-subject that I was minimally interested in. When I got my results back, in lieu of her usually detailed feedback, there was only one note: 🧵1/2
October 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Back in college, I had a professor with whom I'd established an excellent rapport. During my third class with her, we had an exam on a sub-subject that I was minimally interested in. When I got my results back, in lieu of her usually detailed feedback, there was only one note: 🧵1/2
One thing I'm learning lately is that even within the transactional space (outside the context of adversarial litigation), there's very different vibes. Like, my clients are very small businesses with very limited legal budgets; many of them wouldn't have counsel at all ... 🧵1/5
October 25, 2025 at 6:47 AM
One thing I'm learning lately is that even within the transactional space (outside the context of adversarial litigation), there's very different vibes. Like, my clients are very small businesses with very limited legal budgets; many of them wouldn't have counsel at all ... 🧵1/5
I think one of the saddest things about whitebre(a)d America's attempts to remove gender diverse, racially diverse, neurodiverse people from public life -- setting aside for the moment the catastrophic failure of empathy -- is that they're actively choosing to live in a less interesting world. 1/3🧵
October 18, 2025 at 4:25 AM
I think one of the saddest things about whitebre(a)d America's attempts to remove gender diverse, racially diverse, neurodiverse people from public life -- setting aside for the moment the catastrophic failure of empathy -- is that they're actively choosing to live in a less interesting world. 1/3🧵
Just a casual reminder that the handwringing about whether or not Tylenol causes autism carries in it the implicit assumption that (1) understanding the cause is a step on the way to understanding how to prevent it, and
🧵 1/4
🧵 1/4
September 30, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Just a casual reminder that the handwringing about whether or not Tylenol causes autism carries in it the implicit assumption that (1) understanding the cause is a step on the way to understanding how to prevent it, and
🧵 1/4
🧵 1/4
One of my favorite legal factoids to mention at social events is that there exists a house in the US that is haunted as a matter of law. (The case name, if you're feeling nerdy about it, is Stambovsky v. Ackley.) 🧵1/?
September 12, 2025 at 6:21 AM
One of my favorite legal factoids to mention at social events is that there exists a house in the US that is haunted as a matter of law. (The case name, if you're feeling nerdy about it, is Stambovsky v. Ackley.) 🧵1/?
This is core to understanding why ACAB (even the "good ones"). Becoming a cop means committing to enforce every law without regard to its justness, since the justness of a law is adjudicated only after enforcement. That's obvious bastardry.
That said, ICE really takes this to a whole new level.
That said, ICE really takes this to a whole new level.
August 13, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This is core to understanding why ACAB (even the "good ones"). Becoming a cop means committing to enforce every law without regard to its justness, since the justness of a law is adjudicated only after enforcement. That's obvious bastardry.
That said, ICE really takes this to a whole new level.
That said, ICE really takes this to a whole new level.
Not sure how relevant/interesting this is to folks here, but I've started a blog series about starting a solopreneurial business. Stuff like picking a name, forming an entity, setting up banking, getting business insurance, how taxes work, etc. Not all live yet, but you can start reading now!
Law Explainer
Confused about the difference between your business's legal name, a "doing business as" (DBA) name, and a trademark? This guide breaks down the essential naming concepts every solopreneur needs to kno...
www.lawexplainer.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Not sure how relevant/interesting this is to folks here, but I've started a blog series about starting a solopreneurial business. Stuff like picking a name, forming an entity, setting up banking, getting business insurance, how taxes work, etc. Not all live yet, but you can start reading now!
Part of me is loath to try and use social media to promote my business, but here we are.
Hi, I'm a California lawyer who does contract things. If you're a coach of some kind, I've just built a starter pack of all the contracts you're likely to need! Solid, easy-to-use templates. Low one-time fee.
Hi, I'm a California lawyer who does contract things. If you're a coach of some kind, I've just built a starter pack of all the contracts you're likely to need! Solid, easy-to-use templates. Low one-time fee.
Law Explainer
Access affordable, easy-to-use legal templates for your small business or creative venture. These starter packs provide essential contracts and forms like NDAs and licensing agreements. DIY legal reso...
www.lawexplainer.com
August 12, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Part of me is loath to try and use social media to promote my business, but here we are.
Hi, I'm a California lawyer who does contract things. If you're a coach of some kind, I've just built a starter pack of all the contracts you're likely to need! Solid, easy-to-use templates. Low one-time fee.
Hi, I'm a California lawyer who does contract things. If you're a coach of some kind, I've just built a starter pack of all the contracts you're likely to need! Solid, easy-to-use templates. Low one-time fee.
Ended up writing something of a novel about this, which I don't necessarily recommend, but you should weigh in in whatever way feels right to you.
The FTC is seeking public comment about gender affirming care in order to go after providers and restrict access. Share your stories instead of how this care has helped you and how it is life saving.
We need to counteract their false narratives. Please share!
www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2...
We need to counteract their false narratives. Please share!
www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2...
Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov
July 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Ended up writing something of a novel about this, which I don't necessarily recommend, but you should weigh in in whatever way feels right to you.
Ok, look, I know I'm nobody and don't have a platform, and I know that there are bigger and more urgent issues.
But my policy white whale is that whenever you get your tax return (from feds, state, whatever), it should be itemized. You should receive a clear breakdown of what *your payment* bought.
But my policy white whale is that whenever you get your tax return (from feds, state, whatever), it should be itemized. You should receive a clear breakdown of what *your payment* bought.
July 29, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Ok, look, I know I'm nobody and don't have a platform, and I know that there are bigger and more urgent issues.
But my policy white whale is that whenever you get your tax return (from feds, state, whatever), it should be itemized. You should receive a clear breakdown of what *your payment* bought.
But my policy white whale is that whenever you get your tax return (from feds, state, whatever), it should be itemized. You should receive a clear breakdown of what *your payment* bought.
We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty.
Me: *just trying not to kill myself amidst the ongoing horrors*
Every company I've ever given my email address to in my entire life: ░W░E░ ░H░A░V░E░ ░U░P░D░A░T░E░D░ ░O░U░R░ ░T░E░R░M░S░ ░O░F░ ░S░E░R░V░I░C░E░ ░A░N░D░ ░P░R░I░V░A░C░Y░ ░P░O░L░I░C░Y░!░!░!░!░!░!░
Every company I've ever given my email address to in my entire life: ░W░E░ ░H░A░V░E░ ░U░P░D░A░T░E░D░ ░O░U░R░ ░T░E░R░M░S░ ░O░F░ ░S░E░R░V░I░C░E░ ░A░N░D░ ░P░R░I░V░A░C░Y░ ░P░O░L░I░C░Y░!░!░!░!░!░!░
July 25, 2025 at 3:16 AM
We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty.
A reminder that if you need to take a break from The Horrors, my prescription for you is picking up @beckychb013.bsky.social's A Psalm For The Wild-Built (a post-dystopian utopia with peripatetic tea therapists) and @older.bsky.social's The Mimicking of Known Successes (Holmesian sapphic sci-fi).
July 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A reminder that if you need to take a break from The Horrors, my prescription for you is picking up @beckychb013.bsky.social's A Psalm For The Wild-Built (a post-dystopian utopia with peripatetic tea therapists) and @older.bsky.social's The Mimicking of Known Successes (Holmesian sapphic sci-fi).
Honestly, it is *extremely* rude of Turkiye to create a world in which I have to side with fucking *Grok* on any issue.
One of our key concerns at @globalvoices.org is digital rights and how they evolve around the world, because the people who want to ban e-sims and spotify in their various countries are learning from each other. We need to learn from them too.
Support our coverage here: globalvoices.org/donate/
Support our coverage here: globalvoices.org/donate/
Turkey becomes the first to censor AI chatbot Grok
Grok isn't the first platform to be blocked in Turkey. In a separate move, a block was also imposed on eSIM providers, and Spotify may be next.
globalvoices.org
July 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Honestly, it is *extremely* rude of Turkiye to create a world in which I have to side with fucking *Grok* on any issue.