Killer Empathy

Radiolab

Published: Fri Apr 04 2025

In an episode first aired in 2012, Lulu Miller introduces us to Jeff Lockwood, a professor at the University of Wyoming, who spent a part of his career studying a particularly ferocious set of insects: Gryllacrididae. Or, as Jeff describes them, "crickets on steroids." They have crushingly strong, serrated jaws, and they launch all-out attacks on anyone who gets in their way--whether it's another cricket, or the guy trying to take them out of their cages. In order to work with the gryllacridids, Jeff had to figure out how to out-maneuver them. And as he devised ways to keep from getting slashed and bitten, he felt like he was getting to know them. Maybe they weren't just mindless brutes ... but their own creatures, each with their own sense of self. And that got him wondering: what could their fierceness tell him about the nature of violence? How well could he understand the minds of these insects, and what drove them to be so bloody? That's when the alarm bells went off. Jeff wo...

Summary

Radiolab Episode Summary: "Draft for Publish"
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Hosts: Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser
Produced by: WNYC Studios

Introduction: Listener Spotlight

In this episode of Radiolab, hosts Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser embark on a journey that intertwines listener stories with in-depth investigative journalism. The episode, titled "Draft for Publish," delves into the profound impact of immersive storytelling and the thin line between engagement and distraction.

Paul Tucker’s Story: The Immersive Power of Radiolab

Initial Incident and Email
Radiolab begins by narrating the experience of Paul Tucker, a 54-year-old carpenter, whose deep engagement with the show led to unintended physical injuries. Paul recounts his initial email to Radiolab, humorously titled "The dangers of listening to Radiolab," expressing concern over the show's ability to captivate listeners to the point of distraction.

Paul Tucker [00:57]: "The dangers of listening to Radiolab while trying to do other things...I have my own woodworking shop. Then came Radiolab...I took a big saw kerf out of my left thumb with the table saw."
(00:57)

Hosts’ Response and Reflection
Lulu Miller reflects on receiving Paul’s email 15 years ago, highlighting it as a "North Star" that underscored the goal of creating gripping content. The hosts express both concern for Paul’s well-being and gratitude for his feedback.

Lulu Miller [03:38]: "This email truly sort of became a North Star for me. I do not wish any digital injuries upon any more of our listeners."
(03:38)

Continued Impact and Apology
Fifteen years later, Lulu reaches out to Paul to thank him and apologize for his injuries caused by the show’s immersive nature. Paul shares that he ceased listening to Radiolab while operating machinery but has continued to listen during safer activities, recently finding the episode on Henrietta Lacks particularly moving.

Paul Tucker [05:16]: "I truly did. I could listen to music, but I couldn't listen to Radiolab."
(05:16)
Paul Tucker [05:34]: "I was especially moved by the recent one on Henrietta Lacks. Oh, my. That was. That got my tear ducts working a little bit."
(05:34)

Understanding Radiolab’s Influence
Paul describes Radiolab as storytelling that "grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go," emphasizing the show's ability to make listeners feel deeply connected to the narratives presented.

Paul Tucker [05:51]: "I think it's storytelling that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go."
(05:51)
Paul Tucker [05:59]: "Sometimes chops off your fingers."
(05:59)

Main Story: Jeff Lockwood and the Gorilla Critids

Introduction to Jeff Lockwood’s Research
The episode transitions to a 2012 story featuring Jeff Lockwood, an entomologist from the University of Wyoming, who studies a unique species of crickets known as "gorilla critids." These crickets are notably more aggressive and formidable than typical crickets, earning them their moniker.

Jeff Lockwood [09:07]: "He’s a bug guy. And mostly he studies crickets and grasshoppers."
(09:07)
Jeff Lockwood [09:19]: "The way to think of a gorilla critid is like a cricket on steroids."
(09:19)

Behavioral Observations
Jeff describes the aggressive nature of gorilla critids, noting their strong jaws and vicious temperaments. He explains the challenges of handling these insects, often leading to injuries, and devises strategies to manage them safely.

Jeff Lockwood [10:04]: "They all had to be caged separately. If you put them together, they would fight to the death."
(10:04)
Jeff Lockwood [10:17]: "They were completely alien to him."
(10:17)

Understanding Empathy and Objectivity
As Jeff immerses himself in studying these crickets, he begins to empathize with them, noticing behaviors that indicate a sense of self and territoriality. This deepening understanding challenges his training in objectivity, a principle emphasized by his mentor, Dr. LaFarge.

Jeff Lockwood [11:10]: "They can differentiate their nests... they had a capacity to recognize self."
(11:10)
Jeff Lockwood [12:17]: "Maybe that rage is their only strategy."
(12:17)

Tragic Turn: The Death of Dr. LaFarge

Meeting with Tamara Carboni
The narrative shifts to Tamara Carboni, who worked alongside Jeff Lockwood and Dr. LaFarge at the Louisiana State Museum. Tamara recounts the fateful night of July 25, 1989, when Dr. LaFarge was tragically killed during a seemingly senseless act of violence.

Tamara Carboni [20:28]: "We were walking home...he said, close your eyes. And in the process of closing my eyes, I saw the gun."
(21:52)
Tamara Carboni [21:58]: "I saw Jeff running toward my house, and I just ran after him...I watched him die."
(21:58)

Event Reconstruction and Aftermath
Jeff recalls receiving the news of Dr. LaFarge’s death, grappling with feelings of sadness, anguish, and confusion. The lack of closure, as the killer was never found, leaves a lasting impact on Jeff.

Jeff Lockwood [23:01]: "The news came by a phone call. It wasn't Dr. Lafarge. He wasn't really killed. It seemed particularly hard to grasp."
(23:01)
Tamara Carboni [23:39]: "You know, one minute I'm with this vital person, and the next minute he's dead."
(23:39)

Jeff’s Essay: Reconciling Objectivity and Empathy

Essay Reflection
Struggling to understand the senseless violence, Jeff writes an essay attempting to apply Dr. LaFarge’s teachings on objectivity. He analyzes the incident dispassionately, considering socio-economic factors that might have driven the assailant to commit the act.

Jeff Lockwood [24:31]: "The year after I left Louisiana...as a freshly minted PhD."
(24:31)
Jeff Lockwood [24:40]: "The violence is the baseline strategy for most encounters within species."
(24:40)

Discrepancies and Personal Struggles
Tamara reviews Jeff’s essay, pointing out inaccuracies in his recollection of the events. She emphasizes the emotional disconnect between Jeff’s analytical approach and the human trauma of the event.

Tamara Carboni [25:29]: "I don’t think there was enough space for him to step between us."
(25:29)
Tamara Carboni [26:10]: "I can’t imagine doing violence to another human being or killing them."
(26:10)

Final Realizations
Jeff acknowledges the limitations of his essay, admitting that it does not fully capture the complexity of the event or his emotional response. He concedes that understanding such human violence transcends the analytical frameworks taught by Dr. LaFarge.

Jeff Lockwood [27:22]: "It just isn't sufficient."
(27:22)
Jeff Lockwood [27:24]: "There is a way of understanding this event. I just haven't gotten there yet."
(27:24)

Conclusion: Reflections on Empathy and Objectivity

"Draft for Publish" beautifully weaves together personal narratives and scientific inquiry to explore themes of empathy, objectivity, and the human condition. Through Paul Tucker’s experiences and Jeff Lockwood’s poignant reflections on tragedy and research, the episode invites listeners to contemplate the depths of human emotion and the complexities of understanding violence, both in humans and in the natural world.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Paul Tucker [00:57]: "The dangers of listening to Radiolab while trying to do other things... I took a big saw kerf out of my left thumb with the table saw."
Lulu Miller [03:38]: "I do not wish any digital injuries upon any more of our listeners."
Jeff Lockwood [09:19]: "The way to think of a gorilla critid is like a cricket on steroids."
Jeff Lockwood [10:04]: "They all had to be caged separately. If you put them together, they would fight to the death."
Paul Tucker [05:51]: "I think it's storytelling that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go."
Tamara Carboni [21:52]: "We were walking home... I saw Jeff running toward my house, and I just ran after him... I watched him die."
Jeff Lockwood [24:31]: "The violence is the baseline strategy for most encounters within species."
Jeff Lockwood [27:24]: "There is a way of understanding this event. I just haven't gotten there yet."

Additional Information

Production Credits:
Radiolab was created by Jad Abumrad and is edited by Soren Wheeler. Hosts include Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, with sound design by Dylan Keefe. The team comprises dedicated staff members and fact trackers ensuring the integrity and depth of each episode.

Support and Sponsorships:
The episode acknowledges support from the John Templeton Foundation, Capital One Banking, Progressive Insurance, BetterHelp, and other sponsors, who facilitate the continued production of insightful and engaging content.

This detailed summary captures the essence of the "Draft for Publish" episode, highlighting key narratives, discussions, and emotional arcs presented by the hosts and featured individuals. Whether revisiting listener experiences or delving into complex scientific and personal stories, Radiolab continues to challenge and inspire its audience.