In my recent Medical Hypotheses paper, I argue that scientists care a lot about status display and this interferes with good science. Failure to self-experiment is an example. I think the main reason self-experimentation is unpopular is that it looks low-status. Here I explain how sleep researchers would benefit from the self-experimentation they don’t do.
In a May New Yorker article, Janet Malcolm gives another example of status display getting in the way of doing a good job:
Not speaking to their clients [children] is almost a badge of honor among law guardians [lawyers assigned to look after the interests of children in the legal system, such as the child of divorcing parents]. In a 1982 study by the New York State Bar Association, this practice was found to be ubiquitous. . . . Judges continue to turn a blind eye to what the Bar Association called the “phantom” attorney.
The article itself – while quite long – is very worth reading. The particular law guardian at the focus of the story not only did not meet the child he was supposed to be representing, but also met up with the journalist (Ms. Malcolm) and spent several hours explaining to her his theory of widespread conspiracy.
This fact, while brought to the attention of the court, did not inspire any less confidence in the law guardian.
There is so much more context than in the piece you pulled out.
Seth, the New Yorker link goes to a report on Tourette’s.
Bryan, thanks for pointing that out, I’ve fixed it
Dena, yeah, the whole article is good. I’m glad someone is pointing out horrifying features of the justice system. However, Malcolm didn’t convince me there was a miscarriage of justice. There were 91 phone calls between the mom and the murderer that weren’t given another convincing explanation, other than that the mom and the murderer were working together to kill her husband.
Here’s another excellent (if depressing) article about how children get screwed-over by the system:
https://www.villagevoice.com/2000-06-13/news/inside-new-york-s-foster-care-system/
Err, we would crucify an ad litem (what they call them here) who acted like that.