How Public Speaking Feels and the Rewards of Being Dumb
Here's what we have been reading this week
Let’s start this post with a scenario most of us would have experienced.
Has this happened to you? Let us know in the comments. We might have something to rectify this.
Latif Nasser, a PhD from Harvard, talks about how being dumb has led him to be comfortable in asking questions freely. This realization has driven him to do some interesting research on topics such as the “laughter epidemic”, where a thousand people started laughing uncontrollably and the disease spread. (thankfully, no one died)
He also runs a podcast and has a show on Netflix where he answers questions like, “why is human facial recognition software being used on pigs?”.
I never pretend to be an authority. I would much rather be the dumbest guy in the room than the smartest because I think that’s more intellectually honest. There are honest to god authorities out there that we should be listening to…
Read our post on him, and how we are trying to emulate his philosophy at Lawctopus by getting people to be curious. So keep asking questions no matter what, and feel free to write to us if you want to ask us anything.
Mediation as a Compulsory Course at Law School
In August 2020, the Bar Council of India made ‘mediation’ a mandatory subject for all 3/5 year law school students. This would be beneficial for students to develop an arsenal of various skills that would be crucial to their careers.
Read our post to understand the benefits of this move and the state of affairs of mediation training in India.
You can check this out if you are interested in this topic.
We are all used to reading some difficult, arcane language in the legal world. It isn’t every day you see a judge penning down a poem to reason why bail should be granted to the accused.
Babu pleading for his bail;
State opposing tooth and nail.
Summers bygone, winters have arrived;
But crime you did, and Rahul cried.
I am not the one, I am not the one;
Too grave the charge, don’t pretend.
Whom did I attack, where is he;
Oh! That we know, in the trial we will see.
You say I have said & I deny from the first blush;
Rahul may be gone yet Satish said.
Didn’t we say; don’t rush;
Let me go, let me go, even Imran is on bail.
Even then, even then;
it wouldn’t be a smooth sail.
Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop;
I have heard, heard a lot.
Mind is clear, with claims tall;
Its my time to take a call.
Babu has a sordid past;
proof is scant, which may not last.
His omnipotence can’t be assumed;
Peril to vanished Rahul, is legally fumed.
Take your freedom from the cage you are in;
Till the trial is over, the state is reigned in.
The State proclaims; to have the cake and eat it too;
The Court comes calling ; before the cake is eaten, bake it too.
Read our post where we discuss this case and other instances where poems have had an impact on judges.
Quotes Corner
Somehow, we have found that this magnificent constitution that we had framed was later kidnapped and purloined by lawyers- Jawaharlal Nehru while moving the First Amendment Bill (From the book ‘Sixteen Stormy Days’).
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If you want to write for us, get in touch at umang.poddar@lawctopus.com