Cat Injunction
Texas lawyer Rod Ponton learned a very important lesson on Tuesday after accidentally joining a live court session with a Zoom filter on that turned his face into an animated kitty cat.
Videos of the hilarious event went viral on social media, showing the sad, teary-eyed kitten face marionetting Ponton’s real-life movements and facial expressions — an entertaining example of the way we technology has come to mediate our social, professional and even legal encounters.
The judge was understandably perplexed by the feline surprise.
“Mr. Ponton, I believe you have a filter turned on in the video settings,” said judge Roy Ferguson of the 394th judicial district of Texas.
Zoom Feline-y
Making the event even more hilarious was the fact that Ponton clearly had no idea how to turn the adorable face filter off.
“I’m here live. I’m not a cat,” he said.
“I can see that,” Ferguson replied.
“IMPORTANT ZOOM TIP: If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off,” Ferguson later tweeted. ” This kitten just made a formal announcement on a case in the 394th [judicial district of Texas].”
Ca-meow-flage
Ferguson was impressed the court proceedings didn’t devolve into guffawing and giggles.
“Everyone involved handled it with dignity, and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace,” Ferguson tweeted in a follow-up. “True professionalism all around!”
As PCMag points out, Ponton was likely using a Snap Filter that can integrate with Zoom Video Options.
READ MORE: Face Filter Turns Lawyer Into a Kitten During Zoom Court Hearing [PC Mag]
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