16 Nov 2009

Dandelion Or Orchid?

, , ,

Are you a genetically a dandelion or an orchid? Both have their place in the evolutionary scheme of things according to a recent article in the Atlantic by David Dobbs.

Most of us have genes that make us as hardy as dandelions: able to take root and survive almost anywhere. A few of us, however, are more like the orchid: fragile and fickle, but capable of blooming spectacularly if given greenhouse care. So holds a provocative new theory of genetics, which asserts that the very genes that give us the most trouble as a species, causing behaviors that are self-destructive and antisocial, also underlie humankind’s phenomenal adaptability and evolutionary success. With a bad environment and poor parenting, orchid children can end up depressed, drug-addicted, or in jail—but with the right environment and good parenting, they can grow up to be society’s most creative, successful, and happy people.

Hat tip to Bird Dog.

StumbleUpon.com
One Feedback on "Dandelion Or Orchid?"

Grant

If you actually live your life as though this sort of thing really accounted for gene movement, your eschatology quickly becomes anisotropic. Pretty soon, you’re telling your kids stuff like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u2ZsoYWwJA
[WARNING: graphic language]



Comments

Please Leave a Comment!




Please note: Comments may be moderated. It may take a while for them to show on the page.
















Feeds
Entries (RSS)
Comments (RSS)
Feed Shark