There is a rather interesting article showcasing another one of those primate studies - you know, the ones that purport to have found and explained a fundamental human characteristic in terms of some evolutionary link between primates and humans. Researchers seem to have no trouble painting a quaint, disney-esque caricature of human civilisation (never mind the electric probes).

Fascinating. No, really. At any rate, this goes some way towards explaining the fascination of plaintiffs (and their advocates) with greater and greater damages awards at common law. With tort remedies spiralling out of control and talk of no-fault compensation schemes abounds, many common law legislatures may soon have to take action to end the insurance crises in many jurisdictions. Of course, the problem with most no-fault schemes is that they may entail grapes for all, but cucumbers for none. Plaintiff law firms seem to have quite an aversion for exchanging their rock for anything less than the juiciest morsel.