http://alwaysformative.blogspot.com/2012/02/product-placement.html Jason Buell's post about who gets chosen to speak about education issues reminded me of a lesson from Lawrence Lessig's latest book, Republic Lost. When looking at the influence of money in politics, Lessig claims perceptions are just as important as reality. Our members of Congress don't need to be bribed or break laws for us to lose faith in the system. Similarly, Jason isn't saying that the panelists chosen at this conference to speak about equity weren't qualified to do so, or had some subversive coordinated agenda in mind. Instead, it's the appearance of dishonesty and collusion among groups in power that shake our faith in any solution they might suggest.