The DNA of Politics - Genes shape our beliefs, our values, and even our votes

City Journal ^ | 01/29/30 | James Wilson

[Alkhin]

From Nancy Verrier (and my user page):

Lack of genetic markers makes the child feel as if she doesn't fit, doesn't belong. Child has to figure out how to be in the family. Hypervigilant. Tries to adapt.

Children are not a "blank slate" at birth. Most of personality traits are genetic (but personality must be distinguished from behavioral coping style.) Adoptive parents cannot expect the child to be like them.

[GOPGuide]

“Children are not a “blank slate” at birth.”

Yeah but try telling adoptive parents that, to say nothing of leftwingers.

[Alkhin]

Yeah. Its a real buggabear to deal with. Very hurtful when they won't understand, really.

(Thanks :D)

[utahagen]

I'm an about-to-be adoptive parent, and I know that nature is powerful. That doesn't bother me. I'm not sure why adoptive parents would expect or want their children to be “blank slates”.

[jwalsh07]

On the other hand, the answers these people gave to the words “Democrat” or “Republican” had a very weak genetic basis. In politics, genes help us understand fundamental attitudes—that is, whether we are liberal or conservative—but do not explain what party we choose to join.

Nonsense driven by lack of expected correlation so Wilson dismisses it out of hand. Very much like global warming nuts.

[GOPGuide]

You’re welcome!

[LibertyRocks]

As an adoptee I want to thank you for linking to that page...

[LibertyRocks]

I just read your user page, and I’m trying not to cry right now... I agree with EVERYTHING you’ve said, I could’ve written it myself. All of it - every word is TRUTH. I’m happy for you that you were able to know the name of your birth mother, I unfortunately will probably never know...

[GodGunsGuts]

Another perspective:

DNA Is Not Destiny

The new science of epigenetics rewrites the rules of disease, heredity, and identity.

http://discovermagazine.com/2006/nov/cover

[tacticalogic]

I thought CM was history.

[GodGunsGuts]

Care to elaborate?

[tacticalogic]

He got banned a couple of days ago.

[GodGunsGuts]

Sorry to see him go. But look on the bright side, now he can focus all his energies on the overflowing cup that is Darwin Central.

[YHAOS]

Gosh! If only we could find the right diet to produce capitalist entrepreneurs committed to Christ.

{ 8^)

[GodGunsGuts]

Now your straying into epigenetics :o)

[Nuc1]

(though I suspect that Yankee fans have a genetic defect)

OK Red Sox fans here is the truth. We YANKEES spend more on our trophy polish than you guys spend on your entire roster. And we are gonna get some more trophies this year!! Count on it!

[YHAOS]

Sometimes you’ll find me in the strangest places.

[tacticalogic]

Sorry to see him go. But look on the bright side, now he can focus all his energies on the overflowing cup that is Darwin Central.

He let somebody needle him into an emotional response. I hate seeing that tactic work.

[tbw2]

I am so glad this author identified understandable examples of liberal authoritarianism.

Usually, the accusation is that all conservatives are accused of authoritarianism, and that leftist is by definition NOT. To show that political leanings are separate from authoritarianism, we can now remind people that left vs. right isn’t always extremes, and there are extremists of both sides.

There are leftist Nazis (authoritarians) who are willing to kill people to save lab rats and destroy property in the name of fairness. Anti-smoking Nazis are a more moderated version of this.

Fortunately, the leftist authoritarians are breeding at a much lower rate than the rest of us. And if their traits are genetically based, we’ll see far fewer of them in the future.