Comments on: Lizards Don’t Laugh.

By: The Best Criminal Defense Blog Posts For December

The Best Criminal Defense Blog Posts For December — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:34:48 +0000

[...] Lizards Don’t Laugh – O.K. it was written on November 30, not in December. However, I just started this best of the month list and his post is really good. [...]

By: Jim Jenkins

Jim Jenkins — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:27:04 +0000

Dear Mark,
I really enjoyed and benefitted from your post. As we discussed on the internet a couple months ago, I went to a lecture by one of the researchers of the reptiallian brain book for lawyers. I practice primarily criminal defense but I wanted to know what all this “hoopla” was about this book. Jim Fitzgerald, a great personal injury lawyer, was the speaker. He basically said the book boils down to three reptillian concepts when we interact with our world: can we eat it? can it eat us? and can we mate with it? I have only taken a cursory look through the book at this point in time and would like to add more to this discussion when I am more versed in the concept. Based upon what little I know now I think somome of the concepts can be used: we, as a society, need protection from the police who will eat us (eat our client) to meet their own perspective of what the ends should be if we don’t stop them; we need protection against prosecutors who are more concerned about winning that about justice (eat our client). I agree that most prosecutors don’t know (or care much) about how to most effectively appeal to the jurors true selves and perhaps their reptillian brain. I will report back after I have read more of the book. Great Post. It’s motiviating me to read the book over Christmas holidays.

By: Uncommon Descent Contest Question 18: Can the ancient reptile brain help explain human psychology? If so, how? If not, why not? | Medical News

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:29:05 +0000

[...] the airport paperback kiosk to the bored passenger. But I would be glad to know more. Here is a popularrendition of “reptile brain” theory, as employed by some lawyers in law [...]

By: Uncommon Descent Contest Question 18: Can the ancient reptile brain help explain human psychology? If so, how? If not, why not? | Uncommon Descent

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:53:56 +0000

[...] the airport paperback kiosk to the bored passenger. But I would be glad to know more. Here is a popularrendition of “reptile brain” theory, as employed by some lawyers in law [...]

By: Mark's Dad

Mark's Dad — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:33:11 +0000

From my dog brain: Eat, mate, fleas.

By: “Kill, eat, mate, flee”

“Kill, eat, mate, flee” — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:23:36 +0000

[...] lawyers trying cases make an appeal to jurors’ “reptile brains”? [Defending People] P.S. He has further [...]

By: Defending People » The Ethics of Pathos, Part I

Defending People » The Ethics of Pathos, Part I — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:43:19 +0000

[...] Lizards Don’t Laugh. [...]

By: Diane F. Wyzga, RN, JD

Diane F. Wyzga, RN, JD — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:47:50 +0000

Dear Mark ~I am grateful to you for the time and insight you gave to this post. I have been troubled by the rush to appeal to the the “reactive brain” while ignoring or forgetting that folks also have a reflective mind. As an RN, JD and trial consultant who works on the Plaintiff (and criminal defense) side of the aisle, I recognize that there are many tools and techniques available to tell the story of the case in a compelling and masterful way to connect with the decision-maker on an emotionally meaningful level. Yet, one of the things that may go missing with an appeal to the more primitive structure is neglecting the complex, higher functioning (dare I say compassionate?) nature of human beings who decide our cases. And, as I was reminded today by an attorney headed to trial armed with a compelling story: his passion and belief will shine through to the jury. That is his truth. He is relying on an ancient aspect of communication taught by Aristotle. I wish him well.

By: Gideon

Gideon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:28:06 +0000

Absolutely tremendous post. Thank you, Mark.

By: Mark Bennett

Mark Bennett — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:02:52 +0000

Yes.