Spring, eyeglasses, recession and an unforgettable shade of pink…
Here in Texas, it’s still a little chilly at night and we were pelted by hail the size of marbles in the early morning hours last week even though it’s routinely in the 80s during the day. It’s one of those strange situations where two things seem to occupy the same space. Like eyeglasses—at least as described in our current issue! You may remember our article on the “ nerd defense”. Now Austrian researchers look at what style of glasses makes you look no less attractive (i.e., not at all like a nerd) and yet more intelligent and trustworthy at the same time. We won’t judge you if you read this and, like one of our trial consultant respondents, then make an immediate run to a nearby optical shop.
Another two-things-in-one-place article in this issue is one where White research participants tend to label Biracial people Black in times of scarcity/recession and yet label them White in times of prosperity. We have trial consultants telling us what they think this means and doesn’t mean. And we have a lot more. Preparing expert witnesses to give effective (not to mention likable) testimony, useful litigation graphics, social power and how it influences our moral judgments, some new Road Warrior Tips for easier traveling, and a Favorite Thing.
Last but not least, please picture Pepto-Bismol in your mind. That shade of pink is tough to forget and the manufacturer says it’s good for addressing “over-indulgence in food or drink”. Turns out that same shade of deep and perhaps soothing pink is also used in holding cells to calm down violent and aggressive (often intoxicated) detainees. It’s called “ drunk tank pink” which is certainly an evocative color label although I don’t remember it in my crayon box. So why does that color calm more than our digestive tracts? You can read about why in a new book out this month. We have the author, an almost-lawyer turned social psychologist, writing on some of the legally relevant aspects of how brains work and why seemingly quirky and unpredictable things make perfect sense when you know how the brain works.
It’s all part of our ongoing effort to help you be effective at trial and aware of current research while simultaneously looking attractive, trustworthy and intelligent and also having a plethora of evidence-based factoids to entertain and influence others effortlessly. You’re welcome.
Let me know if there are litigation advocacy related topics you’d like to see us publish and we’ll see what we can do.
Editor,