We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charlotte Laws a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Charlotte, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have two meaningful books coming on the market this year: Omniocracy and Elevator People. They focus on my passion: helping victims.
In Omniocracy, I put forth a controversial position. I argue that democracy is a totalitarian regime in which the powerful (humans) use, abuse, manipulate, and murder the powerless (nonhuman animals) for the former’s own perceived gain. Omniocracy—a government of, by, and for all living beings—is a better option. I detail how to implement this new system, and I explain how an omniocratic political structure can bring together the animal and environmental movements (which are often at odds).
Elevator People (coming on the market in July 2025) is a combination of thriller, humor, and horror. It includes cameo appearances by a number of dead scoundrels, including Charles Manson and Adolf Hitler. This dystopian time travel novel makes a captivating turn at the seventy percent mark where it offers a profound, philosophical message. Thematically, the book analyzes the values and behavior of Americans today and offers a better path forward. It is meant to be inspirational.
As for my back story with respect to Omniocracy, I have been an animal advocate and vegan for decades. At one point, I decided to run for a seat on the Greater Valley Glen Council in California. I campaigned on the platform that I would represent all beings in my district, not just the humans whom I maintain are the elite. Miraculously, I prevailed. I served on that council until termed out and was able to assist nonhumans on numerous measures. While on the council, I started a political organization called the Directors of Animal Welfare, which was endorsed by the city of Los Angeles. It gave nonhumans official representatives in districts throughout California.
I was also appointed by the Los Angeles mayor to serve as a commissioner on the 912 Commission; we were tasked with coming up with an official definition for “stakeholder.” Due to my presence on the commission, I was able to make sure nonhuman animals were included in that definition. After our recommendation was approved by the City Council, Los Angeles became the first place in the world that entitled nonhumans to governmental representation—at least on paper, or in theory. Admittedly, practice is tough under a democratic system.
Charlotte, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am primarily known for my work as an author, activist, and TV pundit. For years, I was a co-star on the NBC program The Filter and a weekly “talking head” on BBC TV broadcasts. I have also made guest appearances on hundreds of shows and networks, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Larry King Live, Oprah, Nightline, Access Hollywood, and The Late Show. My articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the NY Daily News, the LA Times, and Newsweek. I have opined on every subject under the sun. I always strive to make a positive impact. I endeavor to inform and entertain, but also motivate. I believe that othercentrism (focusing on others) is the key to happiness, and perseverance is the key to success. I routinely discuss the importance of “life crashing” and living in the bold zone.
Apart from the above, people may know my name and face from the popular Netflix docuseries, “The Most Hated Man on the Internet.” It details about my two-year battle against America’s most notorious revenge porn (RP) website. I faced death threats, my computer was hacked, and a stalker came to my home. I worked with the FBI to put the website owner and his hacker in prison. It was a perilous and frightening time, but we prevailed. To date, I have helped over 800 RP victims. I have worked with politicians to get laws passed. All U.S. states have anti-revenge porn laws. Federal legislation was just signed by President Trump. It is called the “Take It Down Act.”
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Persistence is the key to success. Resilience is an integral part of persistence because no one can succeed every time. One must mentally recover, bounce back, be brave, and plunge forward. I have had my share of failures, but I learned at a young age to dust myself off and try, try again. As the saying goes, if you throw enough spaghetti against the wall, some of it is bound to stick.
The “spaghetti stuck” when I got my first book published. I was in my 20s and had mailed a query letter and sample chapter to over 100 publishers. All turned the project down or, in most cases, pretended I did not exist. Instead of giving up, I embarked upon an unorthodox tactic. I gatecrashed publishing houses in New York City and Berkeley, sneaking up to the executive offices where I met with the editorial big shots. I finally got that all-important “yes.” The book hit the market and became a bestseller. I did a book tour, made appearances on TV shows, did newspaper interviews, and even got fan mail. Resilience was integral to success.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I view my mission as helping the voiceless, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten. I focus on eradicating prejudice—against both people and nonhuman animals. I strive to be a “voice” and contribute in a meaningful way to the marketplace of ideas. I embark upon writing and speaking projects that touch my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charlottelaws.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcharlottelaws/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.laws
- Twitter: https://x.com/CharlotteLaws
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CharlotteLaws
- Other: Other websites:
https://charlottelaws.net/
Image Credits
Images by Charlotte Laws and Jeremy Saffer