Law And More

Stanford's Michael Webber Documented What Lawyers Already Fear

Artificial intelligence isn't only threatening those repetitive tasks at the low end of the labor food chain. The classic example is telemarketing. Probably bots have already been interrupting your lunch, dinner, and breakfast.

In the Economics Department at Stanford University Michael Webb researched patents being developed. That is, they are not providing current technology. He matched them against the functional keywords in job descriptions of what we think of as knowledge workers. 

But if those patents generate a commercial use, that application could wipe out analytical/solution-creating type jobs at the top of the labor food chain - and which pay well. They include market researcher, chemical engineer, and physicist. The study, which you can read here, has been published by the Brookings Institution.

Of course, this may not happen.

But it also may. If the latter plays out, that means that high-level cognitive processing does not insulate a human job function from being performed by artificial intelligence.

Sure, there will always be a need to a handful of experts in, say, chemical engineering, to oversee inputting the variables into the artificial intelligence programming. They will also be required to monitor and measure the performance of applications in the actual work settings. But, essentially, that job category could slip away as journalism has. 

In the legal sector, where training to be a lawyer entails three expensive years of education, artificial intelligence is already being applied to functions ranging from document review during discovery to contract review. Here are more details from Forbes. 

As clients, customers, strategic partners, and investors become more aware of artificial intelligence realities and possibilities they could demand those be considered for inclusion in projects. When, for instance, law firms pitch for an account they may have to front load that with how they will be using artificial intelligence. 

Is ghostwriting also on the chopping block? Of course. The personality traits, language preferences, cognitive habits, and content expertise of professionals can also be coded into artificial intelligence. There could be an algorithm labeled "Clarence Miller, Thought Leader on Influence of the Baptist Church in Political Public Speaking."

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Shift from Public Relations to Legal - Darkness Fell Fast Post-BBC Interview of Prince Andrew

The fallout from Prince Andrew's BBC interview doesn't only negatively impact the brand - and future - of the British royals. 

In addition, as the Daily Mail reports, the situation has rapidly transformed into a legal one. Public relations expert Jason Stein had warned Andrew not to do the interview. But Andrew did. Now this. Darkness has fallen fast.

The this is that players in the legal sandbox are discussing the vulnerability of Andrew to be extradited to the United States to "cooperate" with officials.

The alleged sexual misconduct occurred in the U.S., not the UK.

Being a royal doesn't confer immunity to Andrew.

And currently prosecutors and plaintiff lawyers have what is being labeled "ammunition" to use in questioning Andrew. That could be under oath. And the content of the BBC interview could be part of cross-examination.

From the get-go in the BBC interview, those of us in the communications industry picked right up on Andrew's absolutely wrong tone and no evidence of sincere regret about whom he chose to be on his international network.

Regarding the latter, more and more of us are aware of the dynamics of mirror neurons. The research about them proved out that we human beings affect each other, cell by cell. Years ago, in the pre-scientific age, mothers and religious organizations warned about "bad companions." The Roman Catholic Church even classified those as "near occasions of sin."

Remorse for behavior is required by most social norms. Also, as lawyers know, they are expected in most courts of law. It is contended that AdmissionsGate miscreant Felicity Huffman got off relatively easy because she was contrite. Former law partner Gordon Caplan also adopted that persona.

Andrew did not.

Singlehandedly, Andrew could bring down the institution of the royals. Those in the UK who pony up the funding for much of that may decide to pull the plug.

Bring in top marketing and public relations firms to create a fresh approach to UK tourism. A former English major, I could advise on beefing up drama performances of the dramas of William Shakespeare. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

The Recovery Industry - Lisa Smith Is Doing Well

Like any needed service, recovery has become an industry.

As such, it provides increasing professional opportunity for those who can put together the right positioning and packaging. 

Among those is Lisa Smith, feathered recently in a Law.com podcast. Earlier, Abovethelaw covered her downward trajectory and climb back up. In the successful book "Girl Walks Out of Bar," Smith tells her story. So had Susan Cheever and Pete Hamill.

Smith's struggle with booze took place when she was an employee in BigLaw, both practicing law and in a job developing new business. Currently she is a self-employed consultant. 

Smith, Cheever, and Hamill are hardly alone in getting being taken over by alcohol. According the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 14.1 million of those 18 years of age or older find themselves in that pickle. 

The question is: Does telling your story, as they have, help others who haven't yet had that "moment of clarity" that booze is interfering in one or more parts of their lives? 

Yes, 12-step recovery program Alcoholics Anonymous has institutionalized speaker meetings. At them the recovered share how it was, what they did about that, and how it is now. Yet, at best, AA's success rate is between 8% and 12%. So, no, all those stories aren't creating and sustaining a life without booze.

In my own little life, I have the hunch that sharing my own story, both in formal recovery settings and with those who are slipping into alcohol addiction, hasn't helped anyone.

It probably hasn't helped me either, not in any way. What I realized is this: That story isn't significant to me. I drank and ran into problems. I stopped drinking and ran into new kinds of problems. Both I and, it seems, science are clueless why some recover and maintain sobriety and many more don't. 

Of course, given the devastation alcoholism inflicts on the workplace, the family, and the individual, there is a desperate outreach for what might short circuit the syndrome. That triggers mythologies about what is helpful. Yet, when those illusions are foisted on those in the midst of alcoholism and the recommendations don't succeed, there could be the frustration that accelerates the progress of the disease. 

When it comes to trying to be helpful to another human being who is suffering with alcoholism, it might be wise to take on the mindset and behavior of The Good Parent: Be there, be gentle, be short on advice. Usually retelling all the stories about alcoholism in the family or in one's own life isn't useful. 

Takeaway: This long holiday season give the gift of not sharing your own recovery story or the story of those who managed to climb out of the bottle. Just show you care in an overall way. Download the film "Tender Mercies."

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

LASIK Eye Surgery - Science, Regulation Called into Question

Science is supposed to be about progress. But, how are the negative side effects of that big leap forward to be assessed and what role do regulatory agencies have in not approving or banning procedures with severe risks, including suicide?

That's the controversy surrounding LASIK surgery.

Essentially, LASIK is a procedure to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The motivation to have this done is to be able to live without the bother of glasses or contact lenses.

According to the FDA, reports Daily Mail, 95% of those treated had no problems post-procedure.

Those pushing for the FDA to ban LASIK provide different numbers. Participating in that movement is the expert - Dr. Morris Waxler - who had participated in the 1996 advisory panel for the FDA to evaluate LASIK. It was approved. Now he has gone public with his objections.

According the Ban LASIK advocates, there is a 10% to 3o% risk of complications. They include severe pain, blurred vision and, yes, suicide. So far, what is known is that 17 people committed suicide after undergoing LASIK surgery. Among them had been Michigan meteorologist Jessica Starr.

Of course, anyone who has studied science in college knows there can be a correlation but not necessarily a cause-effect relationship. The procedure could be associated with the negative consequences but not directly causing them. For instance, one person in pain after the LASIK surgery could have accidentally overdosed on medication. That was ruled a suicide. LASIK would not have been a cause. 

It's no secret that the era of blind faith in science is over. Also, the regulatory agencies are being questioned about their commitment to protecting the public. 

The battle over LASIK could accelerate the breakdown of trust in both.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

The Case of the Mirror Neurons - Bill Gates Labels Being in Loop with Jeffrey Epstein "Mistake in Judgment"

Those in the know always knew. They ranged from the wise members of the psychiatry profession to the nuns teaching in Roman Catholic schools to mom.

What they knew is this: Our associates affect us, significantly.

That's why over the years young people had been warned and are still are warned to avoid supposed "bad companions." In Roman Catholicism, they were categorized as "near occasions of sin." 

And those struggling with the decision whether to marry X or Y is told to observe whom X or Y hangs out with. That will reveal plenty about who the possible spouse really is. Yes, the old adage has lots of truth: Birds of a feather fly together.

Later, researchers in Italy discovered the scientific reason for that phenomenon. What they called "mirror neurons" trigger profound connecting dynamics among humans. We impact each other cell by cell. Those mirror neurons provide the very human characters such as empathy. We can "feel" - literally - for another person.

So, one does wonder what were the mirror neurons doing during the multiple times that Bill Gates interacted personally with Jeffrey Epstein. Those encounters took place after Epstein's conviction as a pedophile in 2011. So Gates cannot plead innocence. 

Now, reports BusinessInsider, Gates positions and packages those meetings as a "mistake in judgment." He contends he was hoping that the deep pocket Esptein would contribute to global health initiatives. But that didn't happen. 

The scientifically minded among watchers of what might be called "The Case of the Mirror Neurons" could persist in asking about what kinds of thoughts and feelings might have been transmitted during the meetings. Is Gates worse off as human being as a result of them? 

The media outlets might not be willing to let Gates off the hook easily. Also, society might be puzzled how a sophisticated player such as Gates would allow Epstein into his network. Surely, Gates had access to myriad other deep pockets to fund his philanthropic outreach.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

Dementia Among Lawyers/Judges - Resignation of Justice Laura Higley Outs How Common That Has Become

To some, Houston, Texas First Court of Appeals Justice Laura Higley seemed fine.

As played out on the popular network television show "Boston Legal" seasoned members of the legal profession such as Denny Crane can conceal their cognitive decline. But, eventually the various forms of dementia take over. 

It had been Justice Higley's two sons who outed her condition. She resigned.

According to Texas Lawyer, her situation is not an aberration. In that state 17% of the lawyers are 65 years or older. In addition, more lawyers have no plan to retire. They enjoy the work. If they are on their second marriage there might be offspring to put through college. And they might have noticed that the retired become invisible. The end of a job usually means the end of a whole identity.

Overall in the general population, about one in six females and one in 10 males will suffer memory loss significant enough to impair their professional performance and ability to function in daily life. 

The bar association in TX is looking into this and it encourages members to have a confidential evaluation. Many other state bars are also aware of the high cost - on many levels - of allowing impaired members of the profession to continue to practice law. 

But, having a judge or lawyer give up the title and job tends not to be easy. And it could be politically dangerous. On another popular network television show "Blue Bloods," prosecutor Erin Reagan risks her career putting pressure on a judge, who is sliding into senility, to retire. The episode does have a happy ending.

With dementia becoming common in the legal sector, others could also get caught in that kind of scary situation. They might not land on their feet as had Reagan.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Aging Law Partners - Trike Your Way Out of Clinical Depression (and sell green feature to media)

It was bravado. But, part of me believed it at the time I purchased the trike (adult tricycle) at Wersell Bike Shop, Toledo, Ohio. 

I had to believe that three-wheel contraption could really get me, an over-50, everyplace I wanted to go.

So, with great confidence I informed the salesperson Brett Gibson I was going to use the trike to peddle my way to the Toledo Museum of Art. That was about six weeks ago.

Here's my story. When I still had a car I had become a member of the Museum and got an emotional/spiritual lift weekly when I roamed the exhibits, nursed one affordable coffee in the cafe, and gazed out at the garden. Afternoons of heaven.

The car I had donated to Kars4Kids.

See, I couldn't shake the trauma of an accident in Michigan at the end of August 2019. The sound of the crash and the look in my dog's eyes when the accident happened, they dominated my consciousness.

In addition, State Farm, although it was my first accident and no one was hurt, more than doubled my insurance. After that, I yanked my homeowner's insurance and placed it with another insurance company. It also covers the trike for the replacement value.

Peddle by peddle, I worked up to making it to the Museum.

First it was the 40 minute bike ride to my support group meeting on Sylvania Avenue. Within a week I got that down to 30 minutes. Obviously, I was making progress. I also connected the dots on wearing layers. Also, I felt total cool with a backpack. 

Then last week there was the 90 minute peddling to the main shopping district and back. According to calorie calculators, that has lightened my calorie count for that afternoon by 805. On Facebook I asked my friends if I came across as thinner.

I made it my business to study city maps. Somehow I identified a shortcut from Lewis Avenue to Monroe Street. I took it, but didn't trust my directional instincts. 

For once, they were on the money. I arrived at the Museum parking lot. My member sticker was on the bike. That would allow me to park w/o the $8 fee.

Then, a wrench in the works.

"No bikes in the lot." That's what the attendant said.

My heart sank to the crusty envelope encasing planet earth.

Then, the attendant indicated there was a bike rack in front of the museum.

I backed up my trike (manually) and headed there.

There was a new exhibit on light and shadow. Because I was a member I didn't have to pony up the $12 bucks for a ticket.

Then I studied Andrew Wyeth's "The Hunter."

It reinforced for me the importance of angle in creative projects.

Wyeth approached the subject from on high in a Sycamore tree. The bark was peeling off. Since it was fall there were few leaves. That renewed my determination to go for out of the box angles in my ghostwriting, even if clients seemed to want (the issue is always: do they really want) platitudes. 

"The Hunter" stuck with me. I needed to think more about Wyeth's technique.

So, I took the long long way home. One stop was at an apartment complex closer to the action of downtown. Should I move there? 

The issue became: Maybe I needed as much peddling distance between me and what my soul craved. During the six weeks of triking the clinical depression I had struggled with since age 11 had gone into remission. 

Depression and other mood disorders among lawyers are well-documented. Along with seasonal bonuses in 2019, aging law partners might also get to get a limo ride to the bike store and choose their trike. They can peddle it home. The firm's legal marketing team can contact the media about a feature on green. 

Reflection: Harvard Medical School might do a global experiment on triking and putting a dent in the worldwide epidemic of depression. Instead of giving the world a Coca-Cola, give 'em trikes. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

Degree-Getting & Imbalance of Power - MIT President L. Rafael Reif's Letter

MIT got pulled into the force field created by the legal scrutiny of the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Yes, that elite institution had accepted large amounts of money from him and those on his network and attempted to cover it up.

No question, MIT was and still is in crisis.

In these chaotic times, what is now almost a cliché is that adversity can be the platform for the extraordinary.

An example of that is MIT president L. Rafael Reif's response in terms of behavior and communications. Immediately, as is fundamental in crisis management, he took action and was highly visible.

Now, he has produced the kind of communications which could become a template for how to position and package negative findings. The format, content, and tone are, yes, extraordinary. Here is that letter.

Yes, in the letter there seems to be total transparency, a must in effective crisis management. For example, he presents the findings of surveys. Among 2,035 female students there was reported harassment so severe for 189 that it impaired their daily functioning and academic performance.

But that was the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the MIT community, Reif uncovered "misalignments and fractures." That included bullying by star faculty.

Could the Epstein fallout serve to change the culture of academia? The system operates on high stakes. Those matriculating get it that their futures are linked to the grades, recommendations, and mentorship of the faculty and heads of departments.

The power situation is profound. 

Among professionals, especially lawyers, there are probably myriad scars from the years and years usually invested in obtaining degrees, ranging from the basic undergraduate one to advanced schooling. Until recently, this had been mostly under wraps. With so much power involved, it seemed smart to absorb the oppression in silence. Careerism if the unofficial religion of America.

All that, from the abuse of power in academia to the extreme success ethos, might change. On the other hand, those realities might not.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

Law Partners - Yet Another Reason Not to Do a FIRE

FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) is controversial.

The most common problem brought up is the tendency to run out of money. After all, those ducking out of the workforce earlier than 66 can wind up living beyond 100. 

But, now there is another reason why successful law partners might not do a FIRE.

That's the recent study in China by Plamen Nikolov of Binghampton University in New York. Of the Chinese retirees and the non-retired analyzed, the research team found that the former did 20% worse on memory tests.

They conclude that is a result of the combination of not having the intellectual stimulation of work and experiencing less social interaction. Here are more details from the Daily Mail.

Yes, there's a hunch that not retiring can hold off dementia. Staying put in working requires remembering a million little (and big) things. 

Also, remaining employed prevents the tendency for the aging to become invisible, that is pushed into social irrelevance.

This is capitalism. Identity is associated with productivity. When not employed or self-employed the identity slips away, usually quickly.

It should be no surprise that so many superlawyers such as David Boies are still out there hustling. They seem smart enough to recognize the perils of hanging it up. Now, it's confirmed, at least in China, that the fallout could include the slide into dementia.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

From Academia to "Chicago P.D." - Questions Continue about Artificial Intelligence

Recently, Science published the study by Ziad Obermeyer and his team at the University of California - Berkeley. It found a healthcare algorithm had been coded to be biased against African-Americans. In the U.S., healthcare facilities and insurers used that algorithm or those like it to manage care for about 200 million. 

Last night on network television, the plot on "Chicago P.D." revolved around the wrong arrest of an African-American. The new and expensive police department AI capability had identified him as the guy in the druggie loop who murdered two children. When in prison he was so badly beaten that he died from that assault.

It turned out that the coders had been white engineers not familiar with African-American facial features. That's how the mistake had been made.

Of course, the mistake had to be covered up and Hank Voigt did that just fine. In addition, the use of AI was praised to the media.

So from the research labs to the couches of America, there is developing a skepticism if the benefits of AI are worth the risks which come from the reality that human beings create the "innards" of AI.

Human beings are not perfect. They also have their dark side.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.