Why lawyers?

Thinking about those lawyers who write on Quora. Why do I appreciate them? Because they’re OBJECTIVE. Other professions sometimes write ‘out of character’, but other professions never manage the same degree of objectivity. Academics never bash tenure outside the ivied walls**. Politicians never reveal real secrets. Journalists never tell the truth about the permanent idiocy of journalism. All three maintain their standard myths when talking in public.

Why are lawyers unique? Mostly because they have to persuade juries.

Academics are accustomed to persuading students who need a good grade. Students will automatically believe what a teacher says, so a teacher never has to overcome real skepticism.

Politicians in modern times are dealing with pre-conditioned partisans. If an R politician spouts this week’s RNC talking points, his bots will cheer. If a D politician spouts this week’s DNC talking points, his bots will cheer. No need to go outside the talking points.

Journalists in modern times are dealing with pre-conditioned partisans. If an R journalist spouts this week’s RNC talking points, his bots will cheer. If a D journalist spouts this week’s DNC talking points, his bots will cheer. No need to go outside the talking points.

Lawyers have a much harder job. Juries are preselected to be skeptical. Anyone with a vested interest one way or the other is specifically turned away.

There’s also bias from above. In modern times politicians must please a few big donors who fund their PACs. Academics must please THE SAME FEW BIG DONORS who fund the granting foundations and university endowments. Newspapers and networks are OWNED by THE SAME FEW BIG DONORS. If you offend Bezos or Bloomberg or Fink, you will be taken down ruthlessly.

Some famous law firms have THE SAME FEW BIG DONORS as clients. But a typical lawyer represents a variety of clients with a variety of needs and interests, usually contrary to the interests of the big donors.

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** I’ve been in academia most of my life, and I’ve heard plenty of criticisms and snide jokes about tenure and grants inside the walls. Everyone understands the problem. I haven’t been inside those other groups so can’t judge by experience.