[philh]

The question of whether a field is broken (not working how people would like it to work) is different from the question of whether it's valuable.

There's a question of whether lawyers are a net good for society, and I would expect a lawyer to think 'yes' whether or not that's true. But there's also a question of, how much of a lawyer's job involves being friendly with the judge?

I'd expect a lawyer to know the true answer to that, independently of whether or not [she thinks] lawyers are a net good.

(At least, I'd trust the lawyer more than I'd trust a randomer.)

[TeMPOraL]

> But there's also a question of, how much of a lawyer's job involves being friendly with the judge?

> I'd expect a lawyer to know the true answer to that, independently of whether or not [she thinks] lawyers are a net good.

A lot depends on your relationship with that lawyer. If they're your brother or wife, or your long-time friend, then you'd probably get the true answer. If they're just a colleague, you'd probably get the official answer.

[kobayashi]

Well said.