Science Of Small Talk

The science of social behavior, one interaction at a time
Sam Sommers, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at Tufts University. See full bio

Comments on ""Wouldn't Hurt a Fly""

"Wouldn't Hurt a Fly"

The newest crime du jour to have captured popular attention is the "Craigslist Killer," so dubbed because of his fatal altercation with a woman whose massage services he had solicited via the internet bulletin board. Earlier this week, Boston police arrested a 23-year-old medical student named Philip Markoff for the crime. As often happens in such cases, the initial media reports have included a range of quotes from the suspect's classmates and teachers–past and present–not to mention family members. We've already heard the requisite "he wouldn't hurt a fly" line, in this case from Markoff's fiancée. Her exact quote: "All I have to say to you is Philip is a beautiful person inside and out and could not hurt a fly!" Read More

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