[jpatokal]

The fundamental problem with a career in law is that you aren’t doing anything of value for society.

I stopped reading there. Sure, there are scumbag lawyers out there, but telling eg. the EFF or Creative Commons, not to mention your average underpaid and overworked public defender, that they "aren't doing anything of value for society" is a bit rich.

[praxulus]

I think the argument is that the EFF wouldn't need to exist if there were far fewer lawyers in the world. I.e. those lawyers are just busy fixing the problems created by other lawyers.

[eli]

Not to mention prosecuting Bad Guys who are totally guilty or suing people who totally deserve it.

[jval]

Not to mention providing good commercial advice to help people manage relationships with co-workers, investors, clients etc etc...

I can't believe there are people out there who with confidence can declare that 1 million Americans are doing something that adds zero value to society.