Posted on 07/11/2014 5:49:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Earlier this week in the New York Times, Thomas Edsall had an interesting column about new research on the connection between genes and political beliefs particularly those connected to social conservatism. But he dives a bit too deep into the gene pool (sorry) in his attempts to explain why humans tend to be so politically close-minded.
Specifically, referencing the work of researchers Amanda Friesen at Indiana University and Aleksander Ksiazkiewicz at Rice, he writes: If these [political] predispositions are, as Friesen and Ksiazkiewicz argue, to some degree genetically rooted, they may not lend themselves to rational debate and compromise."
But we already know that political debates dont lend themselves to rational debate and controversy and we dont need genetic explanations to understand why. There are all sorts of well-known psychological factors, from social influences to confirmation bias to motivated reasoning, that can help explain why we get locked into our political views and tend not to be open to changing them.
Sure, maybe, genes underlie these explanations and are therefore a factor.
(Excerpt) Read more at nymag.com ...
You know, like being born gay...
Genes have nothing to do with it. Intelligence, or lack thereof, determines the way people vote. Now, the people they vote for are a whole different breed.
Yep, just blame genes for every perversion.
Results: Inability to think coherently AND constant deterioration of mental acuity.
Possible Causes:
1. Anoxia
2. Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic
3. Barbiturate abuse
4. Battaglia Neri syndrome
5. Brain abscess
6. Brain cancer
7. Encephalitis
8. Extradural hematoma
9. Fetal alcohol syndrome
10. HARD syndrome
>> those connected to social conservatism. But he dives a bit too deep...
Excerpt take away:
Stigmatizing social conservatives is okay, but everything else is off limits.
My money’s on the parasitic organism toxoplasmosis gondi coupled with copious amounts of communist propaganda 24/7.
it’s not genetics.
it’s a process.
generally people are liberal when young, b/c they are naive and idealistic and have less exposure to the real world and are not fully responsible for their actions and their needs.
they get stunted and stopped at this stage, and don’t take the last step to full independent adulthood.
it’s is a developmental disorder.
Your genes probably do not make you a Democrat, but if your jeans are filthy, you don’t use deodorant, your hair looks like rats live in it, you are probably a Democrat.
I base my statement on observations I have made in and around Austin, Texas and then noticing that the individuals I just described tend to get into cars (most often Priapussies) with Obama or Wendy Davis (or both) bumper stickers on them.
If it’s genetic, then between abortions and the gay explosion they should make themselves extinct in a few generations.
My genes make me look fat...
I would say that a Y chromosome is a definite possibility.
If you have the “gay gene” they you most definitely will be a RAT.
Are you sure that 12 years of government schooling has nothing to do with being pro-statism aka liberal aka progressive aka socialist aka communist?
I can hear them now, "They can't hep it. They's born that way."
They should be careful what they wish for. Suppose a 'gay' gene is found and a prenatal test for it is created.
Would the left suddenly turn pro-life? I doubt it.
Would the Gaystapo join the pro-life movement and fight it out with the NAGs? Possibly.
Either way my popcorn futures would skyrocket.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
It’s not the genes, It’s the sinful, fallen nature of man.
sure does. but the real world has a way of breaking those stupid ideas. especially if people are honest with themselves.
I think a massive welfare state allows people to maintain the fantasy well beyond its normal extinction rate.
I think the way they’re raised has a lot to do with it. My ex had the most influence on my kids. They’re liberal. My cousins are all liberal and all of their kids are liberal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.