Eugene Volokh is not your average UCLA law professor.
He is the creator of the widely read blog “The Volokh Conspiracy”, which now draws 20,000 unique visitors on an average weekday and boasts nearly 20 lawyers, professors and various experts on its masthead.
Volokh, who graduated from UCLA with a double bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science at the age of 15, conceived of “The Volokh Conspiracy” along with his brother Sasha in early 2002. He was inspired by University of Tennessee professor Glenn Reynolds.
“In the summer of 2001, Glenn Reynolds started a blog called InstaPundit. I got very interested in it. … I found myself compulsively looking at his blog,” Volokh said.
Volokh e-mailed questions, comments and stories to Reynolds, until his friend finally encouraged him to start his own blog.
Volokh had dabbled in all aspects of the media, including radio, television and print, but was unsatisfied by the various constraints of each format.
“And then along came blogging. You can say whatever you want to say, whenever you want to say it,” Volokh said.
Originally, the Volokh brothers maintained the blog together. But Eugene Volokh realized the need for daily content, updates and a wider variety of expertise. So he invited friends and colleagues to join his venture.
“Now we’re at about a dozen and a half (writers). Of them, about half a dozen post quite regularly. Another half dozen post intermittently. We’re a good group,” Volokh said.
David Lazar, a graduate student in economics, said the consistent updates and thoughtful discourse are what make “The Volokh Conspiracy” stand out.
“Its fairly timely, (and) I think pretty well thought-out too,” Lazar, chairman of Bruin Republicans and former Daily Bruin Viewpoint columnist, said.
Volokh said the input of his co-authors is invaluable. However, entries are not confined by the author’s professional knowledge.
“(We have) everything from jokes to movie and food recommendations to topics that we’re not experts on, and (our readers) like that,” Volokh said.
Neil Katsuyama, a law student at the University of Southern California, said the less academic posts are one of his favorite things about “The Volokh Conspiracy.”
“It’s interesting to see their actual character come through in what they write. They’re not constrained by trying to be neutral,” Katsuyama said.
Katsuyama’s favorite instances include an actual full-disclosure suit on a supposedly haunted house and property law as they relate to science fiction and Victorian novels.
“He talks about really random places you will find law,” Katsuyama said.
Katsuyama said he would like to see more people in academic blogging.
“I would strongly encourage professors to blog more often, because in the classroom you only see a very straightforward and neutral perspective. There are many professors with extremely strong views but never come out with them in the classroom,” Katsuyama said.
Eugene Volokh is extremely busy even when he is not teaching free speech, criminal and copyright law, or blogging. He is the father of two toddlers, an enthusiastic reader, a partner in a software company and a loyal viewer of “Heroes” and “Lost.”
But he loves the outlet for creativity and collaboration that the blog provides.
“It’s the joy of knowing that you’re engaged in a joint venture ““ none of the hassle,” Volokh said.