Home | Community | Message Board


This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   Myyco.com Isolated Cubensis Liquid Culture For Sale   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   OlympusMyco.com Olympus Myco Sterilized Grain Bag for Spawn   North Spore Injection Grain Bag   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]
InvisibledeCypher
 User Gallery


Registered: 02/10/08
Posts: 56,232
Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes?
    #13943565 - 02/11/11 03:00 AM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Is liberalism in the genes?  Recent research has found some biological underpinnings for conservative views: People who have stronger startle reflexes to loud sounds, and express more disgust at disturbing photos, tend to identify with the political Right.  Now, scientists have isolated a gene that appears to be associated with having a liberal worldview.  In a study of 2,000 students, researchers at Harvard and the University of California at San Diego found that people with the specific variant of a gene called DRD4 were more likely to have a liberal outlook--but only if they'd had a lot of friends when they were younger.  People with this gene tend to seek out new experiences and get a rush of pleasure from novelty.  This tendency, researchers say, opens them to friendships with people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, and lifestyles--making them receptive to change and to unconventional ideas.  "It is the crucial interaction of two factors--the genetic predisposition and the environmental condition of having many friends in adolescence--that is associated with being more liberal," lead researcher James H. Fowler tells ScienceDaily.com.  The study found that the genetic influence held true regardless of ethnicity, culture, or sex.


from the Nov. 19th, 2010 issue of The Week

I thought this was an interesting article primarily because it challenges the intuitive notion that one's political views are the result of purely rational thought; instead it seems that we have genetic predispositions that when combined with specific environments lead to our political worldviews.  I can also see this result irritating the Right in general because it essentially concludes that they startle more easily and aren't as open to novel experiences and diverse friendships as the Left are.  :lol:

Your thoughts?


--------------------
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGazzBut
Refraction

Registered: 10/15/02
Posts: 4,773
Loc: London UK
Last seen: 4 months, 13 days
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: deCypher] * 3
    #13944110 - 02/11/11 08:23 AM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Well the research does seem to confirm some strong suspicions I have long held :smile:


--------------------
Always Smi2le

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinemarmarlun
!
 User Gallery

Registered: 09/25/08
Posts: 346
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: GazzBut]
    #13944252 - 02/11/11 09:00 AM (13 years, 3 months ago)

wow, very interesting, thanks for posting.

Seems a little like shooting in the dark, for now though - after all, we call most dna 'junk' dna, simply because we don't know what it does. I mean to say take it with a grain of salt.

It makes sense that genetic predisposition could effect social/political disposition in some way, but the question is how big of a roll does it actually play?

I'm happy we live in an age where we can actually start looking at these questions

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleAnnapurna1
liberal pussy
Female User Gallery

Registered: 05/21/02
Posts: 5,646
Loc: innsmouth..MA
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: marmarlun]
    #13945580 - 02/11/11 01:25 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

OT1H..this study is at best inconclusive...i see no reason why someone that "gets a rush of pleasure from novelty" would necessarily tilt left...

OTOH..it does make sense that right-wing brains must be wired very differently from left-wing brains.. given the rights' capacity to accept rupert murdochs' bullshit as gospel truth...this in turn raises the possibility that there are genetics that create different neuron linking functions...


--------------------


"anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: Annapurna1]
    #13945755 - 02/11/11 01:59 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

This from someone who thinks Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow are brilliant.:rofl2:


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblejohnm214
Male User Gallery
Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: deCypher]
    #13945847 - 02/11/11 02:13 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

deCypher said:


I thought this was an interesting article primarily because it challenges the intuitive notion that one's political views are the result of purely rational thought;




I know what you mean, but I don't know how much people would expect this.  I would think a lot of people have political views for reasons more akin to those determining their faith- culture, family, friends, et cet. 
Quote:


instead it seems that we have genetic predispositions that when combined with specific environments lead to our political worldviews.




I think this is a pretty big leap.  This study showed that a particular class of people had an association between an allele and their politics as measured by some test (presumably self described or written test).

It doesn't show that the genes cause a particular view.

Perhaps those students in the study came from a few ethnic groups and those with the particular "liberal allele" were more likely to be from an ethnic group that traditionally supported particular positions as a culture.

Perhaps those with the allele are more interested in subjects viewed more introspective and liberal-artsy rather than practical traditional studies, and wind up getting forced into studies like this due to the courses they take, where there is a particularly liberal culture that influence their percieved norms during the dawn of their political consciousness in college (speculation, I'd have to look at the recruiting and selection factors, but since its students and a large number, I'd imagine those in particular courses are 'encouraged' to volunteer or forced to)

Quote:

I can also see this result irritating the Right in general because it essentially concludes that they startle more easily and aren't as open to novel experiences and diverse friendships as the Left are.  :lol:





It shows that amongst the particular subgroup of university students at a particular college (I'm guessing, haven't looked), an allele associated with novelty seekingn and acceptance is more common on those identified as liberals.  It doesn't show why this is or whether the groups have different behaviors.

Either way, it does seem there's a distressing number of conservatives who just like to repress different cultures.  These types seem to always trend towards the conservative nationalist parties and political views.  I'm not so sure this is properly described as conservative, but maybe its always that way since these are also the people who tend to persecute their own countrymen for alternative beleifs, lifestyles, et cet?  Who knows.  One of the great hypocrisy of the "conservatives" and the "freedom" banner which the conservatives in America like to fly at their convenience.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibledeCypher
 User Gallery


Registered: 02/10/08
Posts: 56,232
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: johnm214]
    #13945879 - 02/11/11 02:17 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

johnm214 said:
Quote:


instead it seems that we have genetic predispositions that when combined with specific environments lead to our political worldviews.




I think this is a pretty big leap.  This study showed that a particular class of people had an association between an allele and their politics as measured by some test (presumably self described or written test).

It doesn't show that the genes cause a particular view.




Right, but it does show an interesting correlation.  :shrug:

Quote:

johnm214 said:
Perhaps those students in the study came from a few ethnic groups and those with the particular "liberal allele" were more likely to be from an ethnic group that traditionally supported particular positions as a culture.




From the article: "The study found that the genetic influence held true regardless of ethnicity, culture, or sex."

Quote:

johnm214 said:
Perhaps those with the allele are more interested in subjects viewed more introspective and liberal-artsy rather than practical traditional studies, and wind up getting forced into studies like this due to the courses they take, where there is a particularly liberal culture that influence their percieved norms during the dawn of their political consciousness in college (speculation, I'd have to look at the recruiting and selection factors, but since its students and a large number, I'd imagine those in particular courses are 'encouraged' to volunteer or forced to)




Well, could be but I guess I have a little more faith that the sample is representative of the population at large.


--------------------
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblejohnm214
Male User Gallery
Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: deCypher]
    #13946015 - 02/11/11 02:40 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

deCypher said:

Quote:

johnm214 said:
Perhaps those students in the study came from a few ethnic groups and those with the particular "liberal allele" were more likely to be from an ethnic group that traditionally supported particular positions as a culture.




From the article: "The study found that the genetic influence held true regardless of ethnicity, culture, or sex."







Ok, but its one thing to say it another for it to be true- though that doesn't take anything away from your point.  I'm gonna try and track down the actual study and see how well this statement describes the reality of what the results actually show.

For example, even if the correlation to liberalism persists when comparing against others of the "same culture/ethnicity/whatever" and that such corrections sufficiently describe the major confounding factors influencing the people, this doesn't necessarily mean that it is because the allele determines political views.  It could still be that their background is influential as a force: rather than the allele simply being correlated with a genetic group predominant in a particular culture with a particular political norm, it could be that the allele influences the desirability or undesirability of embracing their cultural views or rejecting them and rebelling against them. For example, if the allele causes some degree of curiosity and novelty seeking /acceptance of unfamiliar cultures and groups, political leanings (liberalism compared to a culture of conservative beliefs) could be one of these cultures more likely to be adopted.  Rather than the gene influencing the political views, then, it may be a plausible explanation that the gene causes or is associated with rebelliousness- with the traditional views and politics being simply the culture rebelled against.  This is an effect that would persist after correction for culture if all they did was see if the allele's effect persists when comparing groups of the same culture.

This wouldn't necessarily mean the study is misleading or the conclusions are poor, which I doubt, but that the news coverage of the same and its implications are a bit wanting.

So in this case, the background culture remains the signifigant political influence, with the gene simply being associated with acceptance or tendancy to reject a social norm- rather than having anything to do with politics or beliefs, views directly.

Quote:


Quote:

johnm214 said:
Perhaps those with the allele are more interested in subjects viewed more introspective and liberal-artsy rather than practical traditional studies, and wind up getting forced into studies like this due to the courses they take, where there is a particularly liberal culture that influence their percieved norms during the dawn of their political consciousness in college (speculation, I'd have to look at the recruiting and selection factors, but since its students and a large number, I'd imagine those in particular courses are 'encouraged' to volunteer or forced to)




Well, could be but I guess I have a little more faith that the sample is representative of the population at large.





You think a bunch of students at a particular college is representative of the population at large?  How about a bunch of students who self-selected social sciences as their area of study?  I'm concerned the later may be, in effect, the population which would seem a bit divergent from the larger human experience.  Its just speculation thoug, hopefully the study goes into some detail about the recruiting methodology and is frank about the tactics used and whom they were used against.

This again isn't neccesarily a lapse of the reserachers, as these kinds of problems in the population are a huge source of bias in studies and one of the more difficult factors to correct for in these types of studies, but it remains something to look out for as the news coverage seldom adequately reflects the conslusions of the study or the cautions and limitations the researchers urge.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGastronomicus
3-0-G
Male User Gallery


Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,746
Last seen: 8 days, 22 hours
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod] * 1
    #13946056 - 02/11/11 02:44 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

zappaisgod said:
This from someone who thinks Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow are brilliant.:rofl2:




To be fair, Rachel is a genius.


--------------------
Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up

LAGM2024

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinenarcoticrex
Stranger
 User Gallery

Registered: 01/20/11
Posts: 74
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: Gastronomicus]
    #13946083 - 02/11/11 02:48 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

blah blah blah

just more bullshit to divide you from and make you different from your brother, while at the same time they homogenize you on mcdonalds and walmart.

if youve fallen for "the great divide", youve already lost the battle.  Im surprised more people here dont know this!

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: Gastronomicus]
    #13946160 - 02/11/11 02:56 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Gastronomicus said:
Quote:

zappaisgod said:
This from someone who thinks Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow are brilliant.:rofl2:




To be fair, Rachel is a genius.



:rofl2:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/politics-other-controversies/1190878-msnbcs-maddow-punked-satirical-website.html
No, she is just another benighted leftard.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGastronomicus
3-0-G
Male User Gallery


Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,746
Last seen: 8 days, 22 hours
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod]
    #13946212 - 02/11/11 03:03 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

:lol:

I saw that. They definitely bit hard. But seriously, a good portion of her commentary is rooted in sound logic, and she gives wonderful interviews. Being opinionated doesn't automatically disqualify someone from being intelligent, and compare her to some of the full on partisans (Hannity, Limbaugh, Olbermann) and it's apparent that she has a much better head on her shoulders. Also, I would probably hit that if given the chance.


--------------------
Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up

LAGM2024

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: Gastronomicus]
    #13946315 - 02/11/11 03:19 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Gastronomicus said:
:lol:

I saw that. They definitely bit hard. But seriously, a good portion of her commentary is rooted in sound logic, and she gives wonderful interviews. Being opinionated doesn't automatically disqualify someone from being intelligent, and compare her to some of the full on partisans (Hannity, Limbaugh, Olbermann) and it's apparent that she has a much better head on her shoulders. Also, I would probably hit that if given the chance.



And she isn't a full on partisan?:rofl2:  Hit that mannish dyke?  You are one desperate dude.  I wouldn't hit that with a club.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGastronomicus
3-0-G
Male User Gallery


Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,746
Last seen: 8 days, 22 hours
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod]
    #13946346 - 02/11/11 03:22 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

I got a thing for girls with short hair


--------------------
Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up

LAGM2024

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleAnnapurna1
liberal pussy
Female User Gallery

Registered: 05/21/02
Posts: 5,646
Loc: innsmouth..MA
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod]
    #13946596 - 02/11/11 04:00 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

zappaisgod said:
This from someone who thinks Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow are brilliant.:rofl2:




http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/status/20217439367200768

Quote:

FYI: in reply to "highly ironic that you support Daily Kos yet think Fox News is slanted" I said: Fox News is 100% bullshit. And it is.




KO doesnt have to be that brilliant to claim that a dog barks.. or that a cat meows.. or that fox news is bullshit...


--------------------


"anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: Annapurna1]
    #13946913 - 02/11/11 04:50 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Annapurna1 said:
Quote:

zappaisgod said:
This from someone who thinks Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow are brilliant.:rofl2:




http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/status/20217439367200768

Quote:

FYI: in reply to "highly ironic that you support Daily Kos yet think Fox News is slanted" I said: Fox News is 100% bullshit. And it is.




KO doesnt have to be that brilliant to claim that a dog barks.. or that a cat meows.. or that fox news is bullshit...



Or that KOS is or Madcow or Tingles or the NY Times or the LA Times or the WaPo or you.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinezappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod]
    #13946917 - 02/11/11 04:51 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Or ABC CBS NBC CNN MSNBC.  This could go on a bit.


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineGastronomicus
3-0-G
Male User Gallery


Registered: 03/31/05
Posts: 9,746
Last seen: 8 days, 22 hours
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: zappaisgod]
    #13947109 - 02/11/11 05:34 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

I read the NYT, Al Jazeera, and various other blogs that get posted. Most of the blogs are bullshit, NYT are decently liberal (I <3 Krugman), and Al Jazeera has a distinctly anti-american bias. Over all I like interviews best for my information because you get a better sense of the source's personality and agenda, it's easier to read a person then it is to read an article. That's one of the reasons I enjoy Maddow, she asks the sort of question that I would like to see asked. It is also very important to get your information from multiple sources and to use that to form your opinions. Too many people get caught up in the same news source and allow it to dominate their opinions.

:bongload:


--------------------
Make my Funk the P Funk, I wants to get Funked up

LAGM2024

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineAlphaFalfa
imagine


Registered: 06/16/08
Posts: 3,857
Loc: 3 Seconds Ago. Flag
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: deCypher]
    #13947157 - 02/11/11 05:41 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

deCypher said:
Quote:

Is liberalism in the genes?  Recent research has found some biological underpinnings for conservative views: People who have stronger startle reflexes to loud sounds, and express more disgust at disturbing photos, tend to identify with the political Right.  Now, scientists have isolated a gene that appears to be associated with having a liberal worldview.  In a study of 2,000 students, researchers at Harvard and the University of California at San Diego found that people with the specific variant of a gene called DRD4 were more likely to have a liberal outlook--but only if they'd had a lot of friends when they were younger.  People with this gene tend to seek out new experiences and get a rush of pleasure from novelty.  This tendency, researchers say, opens them to friendships with people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, and lifestyles--making them receptive to change and to unconventional ideas.  "It is the crucial interaction of two factors--the genetic predisposition and the environmental condition of having many friends in adolescence--that is associated with being more liberal," lead researcher James H. Fowler tells ScienceDaily.com.  The study found that the genetic influence held true regardless of ethnicity, culture, or sex.


from the Nov. 19th, 2010 issue of The Week

I thought this was an interesting article primarily because it challenges the intuitive notion that one's political views are the result of purely rational thought; instead it seems that we have genetic predispositions that when combined with specific environments lead to our political worldviews.  I can also see this result irritating the Right in general because it essentially concludes that they startle more easily and aren't as open to novel experiences and diverse friendships as the Left are.  :lol:

Your thoughts?





Ridiculous because it assumes everyone has the same information concerning the issues that affect on, with which they form their political affiliations with.

Meaning that it presumes everyone is engaged in the same news sources, research sources, etc.

Thats ridiculous.

If you really think about it, imagine everyone knew about the environmental problems that are going to affect us all pretty soon?

Do you honestly think they would stay conservative when their officials do not even look 5 years down the road and focus almost completely on the economy?

Absurd.

But funny nonetheless.


--------------------
if you ever feel lost, just remember, life is not a journey, it is entertainment, all 4 fun...


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibledeCypher
 User Gallery


Registered: 02/10/08
Posts: 56,232
Re: Why Some People Go Left: is liberalism in the genes? [Re: AlphaFalfa]
    #13947161 - 02/11/11 05:43 PM (13 years, 3 months ago)

Caring about the environment is only a small part of one's political beliefs though.


--------------------
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]

Shop: Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   Myyco.com Isolated Cubensis Liquid Culture For Sale   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   OlympusMyco.com Olympus Myco Sterilized Grain Bag for Spawn   North Spore Injection Grain Bag   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Liberalism and Our Universities - ADV MagicalMystery 1,182 12 10/22/05 01:33 PM
by Prosgeopax
* Democracy is an illusion and the media is NOT LIBERAL.
( 1 2 3 all )
havatampa 4,837 49 04/06/22 06:34 AM
by how.psilly.of.me
* The liberal media.
( 1 2 3 4 ... 11 12 all )
luvdemshrooms 14,712 227 10/16/03 01:27 PM
by Phred
* Canada's Liberal party promises to completely ban handguns
( 1 2 all )
carbonhoots 1,982 20 12/11/05 11:05 PM
by chodamunky
* Liberal and Conservative as psychological archetypes
( 1 2 all )
Silversoul 3,792 26 10/12/05 06:05 PM
by DirtMcgirt
* Why I Hate Liberals AND Conservatives Prosgeopax 2,231 11 08/25/05 04:24 PM
by JesusChrist
* Liberation Day EchoVortex 523 1 04/11/03 08:09 AM
by Phred
* Why don't liberals want to stop voter fraud? Ellis Dee 1,467 8 01/04/02 01:47 AM
by isis

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Enlil, ballsalsa
1,771 topic views. 3 members, 1 guests and 8 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.031 seconds spending 0.005 seconds on 14 queries.