Harper Reed - There’s not a business out there that doesn’t require in this age a lot of technology

In an article I wrote for Defero Law here, I quoted the CTO for Obama 2012, Harper Reed, who in an interview with Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight made a powerful observation on the role of technology in politics, business and in every area of life. He said:

"I do think that there’s not a business out there – politics, marketing, commerce, whatever – that doesn’t require in this day and age a lot of technology. And so like in the US, it just turned out that the US was no different."

Institutional Bewilderment and the three types of technology

On Saturday 21 September Radio 4 featured 'Bremner's One Question Quiz - What Does the Future Hold?' On that show, Mark Stevenson, possibilist, futurologist and author of 'An Optimists Tour of the Future' made some interesting observations. Of those, one segment stood out. Mark Stevenson made reference to Douglas Adams, a man who said that there were three types of technology. It's very interesting and here's how Mark condensed it:

1. Technology invented before you were born which you don't think of in technology. Like sewers and paper. 

2. Technology invented between the ages of 0 and 35 which you get super excited about. For many, this is the Internet, mobile phones, etc. 

3. Then there's the technology developed after you're 35 which you see as pointless and which makes you angry. 

Mark Stevenson gave his thoughts on the third category: "For my generation that's things like 3D tv and Twitter; I've got friends who are literally furious that Twitter even exists." Mark further said: "The people who determine the strategic direction of a nation or an organisation are usually in the last category. Yet most of the population are in the second category and so you get institutional bewilderment."

Guest Post - Social Media 101 for Attorneys

[This is a guest post by Chelsea Wilson, the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s online LL.M. degree program.]

You may have a J.D. and LL.M., but how much do you knowabout online marketing and social media? Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media platformsare providing new channels for attorneys to build their reputations and attract clients. Although some law firms arestill taking a traditional approach to professional networking and marketing, recent survey statistics show that social media engagement in the legal profession is gaining momentum and showing no sign of slowing down. Attorneys who don’t have asocial media presence are ignoring an increasingly important communication tool.

Despite these statistics, outdated rules with respect to online communication are hindering the adoption of social media by many large firms. Solo practitioners and small firms have a greater chance of success since they can avoid bureaucratic restrictions. Although there are very real ethical issues toconsider, as evidenced by examples of cases placed in jeopardy by social media postings by a juror, judge or prosecutor, adhering to some established best practices can help avoid the most common social media pitfalls.

15m UK Twitter users

Twitter claims 15m active users in the UK, thats one quarter of UK Population. Via The Telegraph here.

Emmanuel Carrère - "I know some big words, but I try my damndest not to use them”

“Like everyone, I know some big words, but I try my damndest not to use them.” 

           - Emmanuel Carrère

On the art of nonfiction, fall 2013 edition of The Paris Review.

 

Traditional Media for Law Firms, Ctd

Thanks to Legal Cheek we heard here that legal tweeter and podcaster Kevin Poulter (@kevinpoulter) has leveraged his social media nous and graduated onto a leading traditional media platforms, BBC News as you can see from the YouTube video above.

Previous posts on traditional media for law firms here and here.

David Allen Green - The FT's Legal Blogger

The journalist and lawyer David Allen Green who tweets at (@DavidAllenGreen) and from (@JackofKent) is routinely cited as a the leading legal tweeter and the man who inspired other legal heads to jump into the Twittersphere.

As well as being active on Twitter Mr Green has complimented these efforts with consistent and comprehensive blogging, both on his personal blog (here) and on The New Statesman. Regularly commenting on the law and leading policy questions.

He has been a leading light, blazing a trail where others have followed. Myself included. And now it seems his online energetics have not gone unnoticed. Besides becoming a regular on traditional media outlets he has now landed a regular slot as legal and policy blogger with the FT. Impressive and really quite something. A milestone for sure in the history of legal blogging.

I have left @NewStatesman to join the @FinancialTimes to blog on legal and policy matters. First post will be on 16 September.
— David Allen Green (@DavidAllenGreen) September 3, 2013

I will be doing a regular in-depth fully linked post on a legal or policy topic at @FinancialTimes, usually on a Monday. Am delighted.
— Jack of Kent (@JackofKent) September 3, 2013

My post at Conservative Home on the awful lobbying bill being debated today: http://t.co/WgcGTBYeqS very bad legal drafting here.
— Jack of Kent (@JackofKent) September 3, 2013

John Cooper QC on Twitter for Barristers

The mark of Twitter is that many at the Bar who were dismissive & snobbish of Twitter 3 years ago are now tweeting like Nightingales.
— John Cooper (@John_Cooper_QC) September 3, 2013

Big hat tip to Legal Cheek.