Futurelawyer

The FutureLawyer Is Also On Substack.

Rick's Newsletter. Since I have readers who have different preferences for getting news and commentary, I have tried to publish FutureLawyer in different places, so that you can pick your poison, and still keep up with my meanderings. I am gratified by the response to the work, which I agree reflects my tendency to think and write about many different things. If you are looking for a traditional law blog, about legal technology and legal issues, you can still find it here; but I tend to write about whatever strikes me as interesting, and you will find poetry, humor, cartoons, and all sorts of material. At Substack, you can find me as "Rick's Newsletter". The secret to a happy life is the ability to choose, the freedom to choose, and to be able to pick your personal poison.

 

The Internet Is Not Your Friend.

Discover Life. Michael Wade has a great post today about the illusion of intimacy provided by the Internet and Social Media. Facebook friends are not true friends; although, they can become friends. Social media is addictive because we crave approval and validation. But, it can become a dark hole into which our sense of reality collapses. Get up from the computer, go outside, have a real conversation with a real person, and say hello to your family. Don't forget what another human smells like, tastes like, and sounds like. The Internet can be a compelling good, where we can do productive work, make real connections to other humans, and experience much of what is good about life. But, in sum, it is an illusory choice, and nothing can compare to the real thing. Never forget.

St. Paul's Riverside - Class Of 1961.

When you say Class of 1961, I feel really old. But, it is an accomplishment that many of us are still around. May our classmates who aren't here anymore rest in peace. While other commitments will prevent my attendance at this week's mini reunion of our high school class of 1965, I have enjoyed getting to know again some of my classmates from my youth. Whatever evils can be attributed to Facebook and social media, there is no denying that social media has enriched the lives and memories of many of us. This poster was sent to me by Donna Wetherington Cheek, who is a beautiful soul and human, and who lives my mantra of approaching all of life's good and bad with a smile and a positive attitude. Thanks, Donna. I really like the St. Paul's Sodality Play photo. I am the guy in the straw hat and striped coat. The play was called "The Roaring Twenties", and fueled a lifetime of love for theater and the arts.

Can't Ask Your Dad On Father's Day? Ask Rat.

Many of us no longer can ask Dad for the solution to our problems. That ship has sailed. Hopefully, those of us who remain are able to call on the collected wisdom of our dads, and make a dent in the future. Of course, we can always ask Rat.

Want More FutureLawyer? Subscribe To The SubStack Newsletter.

Rick Georges Substack Newsletter. A good friend who subscribes to my SubStack Newsletter said some nice things and offered to pay for access to the FutureLawyer. I have never charged for the blog or other social media; but, it occurred to me that some of you might appreciate being able to have direct contact via email and chat. So, for $8 a month, or $80 a year, you can subscribe to the SubStack Newsletter which will contain all the free stuff I publish, plus some extras, and direct access to me via email and chat. Any question about legal technology, software, poetry, philosophy, or whatever, will get a personal reply. It is scary to put myself out there like this; but, I have never been accused of being a shrinking violet. If you are interested, head on over to Substack, and find Rick Georges. I am there every day. 

Thank God There Was No Internet When I Was In High School.

Cancel culture would have a field day with my high school class. Can you imagine what Twitter would do with some of the stuff we said in high school? We never said "Penguins walk funny"; but there were a lot of penguin jokes about the nuns. And, don't get me started on the priests who measured the girls' skirts. OMG. 

Nobody Tells The Truth On Social Media.

Here is a current photo of the FutureLawyer. Everyone is always asking why I don't post current photos. Excuse me? Why would I post a photo of a fat, old man? I prefer to see myself as I do in my mind's eye. This will always be my current photo.

Stop The World...I Want To Get Off.

The Stop the World meme has been around for a long time. In the Fifties it was called "the rat race". Each iteration of the Peter Principle, in which a societal responsibility is always running behind reality, seems to make standing still and meditating hopelessly frustrating. We must be in a hurry, or be left behind. Of course, it really isn't a matter of stopping the world. It is a matter or controlling our reactions to the actions of others. Does everyone else seem to be moving faster? Let them. Do you measure your life progress in the lens of your neighbor? Just stop. When you look in a mirror, look at your reflection. Don't imagine the presence of all the others who seem more successful than you are. Social media feeds this desire to compete. Nobody puts their warts and faults and failures on display. Envy of another's life requires two to play. Refuse the game. Make your own. Now, go be yourself, and be happy with yourself. You don't really need the world to stop. You need to look at it with a new perspective. Lecture over.

You Can Prevent Facebook And Other App Hacking Attacks.

More than one Facebook friend has had their account hacked, and dummy accounts set up that message all their friends. This is one of the easiest hacks to prevent, and only requires the use of two factor authentication for entry to your Facebook account. While in Facebook, click the down arrow in the upper right of the screen. Click Settings and Privacy. Click Security Settings. Click Two Factor Authentication. Enter your cell phone number. Then, before a hacker can ever get into your account again, they will have to have your cell phone as well as your password. You have to get a code on your phone before you sign in to Facebook; but, you can leave Facebook connected if you have control over the physical computer you use. Sure, it is annoying to have to check your phone for a text message and code to get back in to Facebook after you log out. But, it is more annoying to find out some jerk has hacked your account because it was only secured with a password. If you aren't using two factor authentication with every site that has it available, you are like a homeowner leaving the front door to your house unlocked, who is surprised when a criminal walks in and steals something. Be safe out there.

Relationships In The Age Of Social Media - Why I Am A Solo Blogger.

Do you know why you are still together? I don't have to worry about that. My blog is a one person operation.