'Liberal gene' discovered by scientists

The Daily Telegraph ^ | 28 October 2010

[Hatter6]

The research suggests that some people have an inherent bias against conservative thinking, that is independent of their education or upbringing.

The effect is caused by a neurotransmitter in the brain called DRD4 which could be stimulated by the novelty value of left of centre opinions, say US researchers.

In people who are naturally outgoing, the feature encourages them to seek out companions with unconventional views as they grow up.

This in turn means they tend to form less conventional political viewpoints as adults, according to the study by the University of California and Harvard.

The research, based on 2,000 Americans, is published in the Journal of Politics.

[Hatter6]

I have not read the original article, but it is interesting how liberalism is automatically equated with a lack of conventionality. These days, in the West at least, this could not be further from the truth.

[MichaelP]

Also called The Stupid gene...

Mike

[Pete]

Read “Next” by Michael Crichton to understand why this article is complete nonsense.

[WayneS]

All this time I thought it was a mental disease...

...turns out it’s a genetic disorder.

[MEGoody]

I have not read the original article, but it is interesting how liberalism is automatically equated with a lack of conventionality. These days, in the West at least, this could not be further from the truth.

Absolutely true. It's much more unconventional to be a conservative these days. Liberals are now the "establishment" they pooh poohed in the 60s.

[vladimir998]

“...which could be stimulated by the novelty value of left of centre opinions, say US researchers.”

Novelty. That’s right. If it’s novel, they’ll go for it. It doesn’t matter that it doesn’t work, hey, it’s novel!

[dartuser]

Then there is hope for a cure.

[ryan71]

“In people who are naturally outgoing, the feature encourages them to seek out companions with unconventional views as they grow up.”

Unconventional? Like dictators, communists, tree worshipers and moslem throat cutters?

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

'Liberal gene' discovered by scientists

Liberal Gene McCarthy

[frithguild]

DRD4 is controlled by dopamine which affects the way the brain deals with emotions, pleasure and pain and can therefore influence personality traits.

Liberalism is based upon emotion.

[Iron Munro]

It’s connected to the empty skull by the lazy bone.

[mountainlion]

I read the article for the California College but don’t know if it is the original article. It will be interesting to have some peer review. The facts and findings are interesting but the conclusions and projections are always in question.

[Beagle8U]

Must be why Obumbler wears those ‘Mom Jeans’. Only a liberal “male?” would wear those.

Someone told the idiot there was such a thing as a ‘Liberal Gene’ and he rushed out and bought those, thinking that they must be the ones.

[Grumpybutt]

Is this new found “liberalism” kinda gene like the supposed “gay” gene?

[rhombus]

This is utter nonsense. Most people take the easy path of liberalism when they are young becuase they haven’t had a chance to see how the real world works. Later in life they trend right.

[paudio]

What would be considered ‘conventional’ by children of liberal parents who keep the ‘60s utopia ?

[MrB]

Actually, the appeal to novelty is for self-aggrandizement purposes.

There is no glory called to self by affirming that the tried and true is indeed tried and true.

Liberals’ main driving motivation is self-affirmation and self-aggrandizement. This is why they never examine the results of their ideas beyond the point where they feel good about themselves for supporting said ideas.

[MrB]

I’m thinking the “liberal gene” is indirect.

It’s actually a defect in parents that causes them to drop future liberals on their heads when they are babies.

[techcor]

by the novelty value of left of centre opinions,

How do their ideas have "novelty value"? Even in ancient Rome they already had the concept of buying votes with the dole and pro-homosexual. Ask them what the "novel ideas" are and I bet they go back at least a century.

[vietvet67]

If they got a disability check for it they’d accept this theory.