Brain scanners can probe your politics

www.msnbc.msn.com ^ | Oct. 28, 2004 | Paul Elias

[foolscap]

SAN DIEGO - Applying some of the same brain-scan technology used to understand Alzheimer’s and autism, scientists are trying to learn what makes a Republican’s mind different from a Democrat’s. Brain scanning is moving rapidly beyond diseases to measuring how we react to religious experiences, racial prejudice, even Coke versus Pepsi.

This election season, some scientists are trying to find out whether the technology can help political consultants get inside voters’ heads more effectively than focus groups or polls. Already, the scientists are predicting that brain scanning — known as functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI — will be a campaign staple four years from now, despite ethical concerns about “neuromarketing.”

[Publius]

...scientists are trying to learn what makes a Republican’s mind different from a Democrat’s.

IQ?

[newheart]

"Brain scanners can probe your politics."

Of course, if you're Republican the scan will confirm that you indeed have a brain.

And if your Democrat....

[Thud]

So be sure to wear your tin foil hats.

[embedded_rebel]

Dumbocrats have brains???

[dirtboy]

Brain scanners can probe your politics

Unless you're a Democrat, in which case you use a colonoscope...

[rockabyebaby]

agreed! one needs a brain in order for a brain scanner to work, guess no $$$ will be made on dems, they lack the proper qualifications!

[foolscap]

One Democrat’s brain lit up at an image of Kerry “with a profound sense of connection, like a beautiful sunset,”

Gag! The way to tell a Dem brain is when the monitor flat lines

[Centurion2000]

Well when the brain scan locks in and sees a functioning human brain : Republican

When it finds rock, wood or crap inside the skull : Democrat

When it finds a black hole : Green Party

[hamboy]

In my old country before entering an exclusive flying school we had to undergo brain scan, personality test, battery test and IQ test. We could retake IQ thrice, battery test twice but if you fail the personality test you are automatically out. I think politicians and public servants should have mandatory personality test, at least.

[crazyhorse691]

Yea, and battery packs with electrodes were supposed to replace copper bracelets for curing arthritis. Lame science.

[johnb838]

They stuned my beeber. Uunnngghh!

[Recovering_Democrat]

My politics ought to be apparent to anyone who knows me. Brain scanners don't make much of a difference. :)

[martin_fierro]

Dem Brain.

[martin_fierro]

GMTA!

[oyez]

Terrific. If my wife gets one of these I'm really screwed.

[martin_fierro]

(or maybe it's a Visual Cliche by now)

[Fiddlstix]

...scientists are trying to learn what makes a Republican’s mind different from a Democrat’s.

Simple: Common Sense.