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While walking my dog, Mr. Lucky, yesterday, I listened to episode 28
(April 3, 2014) of the <i>Inquiring Minds</i> podcast. It was
basically an interview of Univ. of Neb. - Lincoln professor John
Hibbing conducted by Chris Mooney (Author of <i>The Republican War
on Science</i> and <i>Unscientific America</i>). The title of
the podcast was <i>The Biology of Ideology</i>. The basic premise
is that Conservatives and Liberals live in very different worlds...
a difference that can be objectively measured. The podcast is
available for free from Itunes and most other podcast broadcasting
sites. <br>
<br>
If there are biological difference between conservatives and
liberals we ought to know what they are. To begin with,
conservatives live in a more dangerous world. They focus much more
readily on negative things and their attention lingers longer when
compared to conservatives. Hibbing dances around the implication
that it is ALL genetic but suggests that there is a genetic
component (based on twin studies and adoptive subjects) which will
be very difficult to "tease out" if we ever do. <br>
<br>
I can't do it all justice, but would suggest that after you listen
to the podcast, there are two things that become apparent. (1)
Because you are living in different worlds, can hear different
political debates together, It may not be possible to use arguments
that appear rational to you in trying to change the mind of a person
of the other persuasion. Perhaps this relates to the polarization
of politics now. In this case, (2) maybe the best approach is to
understand that compromise may be the only way to resolve some
policy concerns. <br>
<br>
Another concern for me is the fact that the factors which drive a
conservative personality may also tend to make them more successful
in business and therefore more able to provide the financing for
political activism. Move to Amend is the right approach to solving
this problem as the SCOTUS chips away at current campaign finance
constraints. <br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you
don't, then you are wasting your time on this Earth"
- <i>Roberto Clemente</i></div>
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