The Expert Podcast

…And a famous episode of Seinfeld There was a scenario that actually involved mediation and it was an interesting. approach to it because even though it's a sit-com and fiction it actually approached mediation in a very realistic way. The premise of this. Episode was that. The character. Elaine. Had a bike It was a girl's bicycle. And she had…a problem with her neck in the character Kramer offered to. give her a an adjustment or a massage or something to fix her neck problem. And in exchange for doing that. Elaine had to give him this bicycle. So Kramer fix the neck. Elaine gave the bicycle but then a day later her neck problem. Came back didn't fix the problem. So she wanted her bike back. Well Kramer said I did what I was supposed to do. But. Elaine said it didn't fix the problem So there was a dispute over this contract. And of course this was not as dry and logical as I just described it It was part of a sitcom where there was jokes and other storylines that went along with it. But in order to resolve this issue they have to get a neutral third-party They couldn't get Jerry Seinfeld because he was involved with both parties So they got. Newman, who was described as being, on feeling. Impartial completely logical having no empathy towards either party Right A neutral third-party and impartial mediator. So they bring new mundane and of course his first answer was what you see on the screen. Cut the bike down the middle and gave each one half Well that doesn't really make any sense. But that was part of the joke. But the final version was actually not too far from mediation. The bike ended up going to Kramer. but it was because of his approach to the scenario Now of course this is all fiction and it's designed to be. A comedy. But it does give some insight into the value of mediation Look the parties couldn't resolve it themselves. The other characters in the show Jerry Seinfeld he couldn't get involved because he wouldn't be impartial Newman considered to be really just a jerk and somebody who didn't care about anybody had no feelings was selected as the. mediator Now the mediator doesn't have to be a jerk but they do have to be somebody who can distance themselves from the feelings of others. Recognize him but not get caught up in the feeling So there is value to having a neutral third party cold hearted mediator, because they're going to be able to assist both parties with separating out the emotions from a dispute or a conflict and getting down to what might help both of them logically, and then let the emotions fill back in afterwards.