Good point, Harold. We'd like to accept people for who they are and what they can do, but once we get beyond a couple of degrees of connection, the risk/reward balance seems to get tipped.

Look at the ever-expanding world of credentials offered at professional conferences. At this year's conference, ISPI has five certificate programs, to say nothing of the CPT designation.

Soon members will have more letters after their names than real estate brokers or insurance salespeople.