"The Beard Grows, But The Head Does Not Grow Wiser."
"Lawyers work hard and, like us, they're human, many of them."-Dick Cavett
“A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers.” - H. L. Mencken
"I tell you, I'll consult my lawyer. And if he advises me to do it, I'll get a new lawyer."-Groucho Marx 
"We are all here for a spell, get all the good laughs you can."
I am "on" LinkedIn, and I even paid for the Premium version for a few months. That said, I continue to have trouble understanding its value as either a paid or a free service.
Nearly all LinkedIn content is a combination of self congratulation, self promotion, and mock humility. And oh, lest I forget, omniscience. LinkedIn lawyers never lose, apparently. The definition of victory and achievement is, however, quite broad.
Disclaimer. I began practicing law before the digital age, and the advent of purchased honorifics. I have tried many cases, winning some losing some. I have argued countless motions, dispositive and otherwise, doing pretty well. I did not broadcast the wins using the technology of the day. I have been profiled in newspapers more than once. I have had numerous articles published, and awards bestowed. I have held more offices and served on more committees and boards than I can remember. Most of the plaques, certificates, and framed articles are stacked in a corner of my basement, next to some outdated computer towers and monitors. Each week I decline and delete multiple offers to buy various honors.
My point is that not everything I, and I daresay you have done, merits proclamation to the planet Earth and beyond.
Yet on LinkedIn everybody is a genius, posting and at the same time digitally blushing, at the glories bestowed upon them by an astute and aware public. And such achievements. One group posted 8x10 pictures of the members of golf outing committee, each member meriting his own post.
The words "Honored" and "Humbled" appear often, as does "Congratulations".
Recently, an attorney I had connected with (in an evil hour) posted about receiving notice of an "unexpected victory" right as he left for vacation. This victory was on a discovery motion concerning whether a deposition was to be in person or by Zoom. HUZZAH! I bet no one paid for his own drinks in the Grand Hotel bar that night. Personally, I consider that the LinkedIn equivalent of posting a picture of your dinner on Facebook.
If everything is noteworthy, if everything is special, if honors can be purchased online, is anything really exceptional?
Over 130 years ago, Gilbert and Sullivan predicted the world of LinkedIn. From the operetta The Gondoliers, the song "There Lived a King" contains these lyrics:
In short, whoever you may be,
To this conclusion you'll agree,
When every one is somebodee,
Then no one's anybody!
The video below shows the entire song and is worth a look.
Comments