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tssm-screencaps · 1 year

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The Spectacular Spider-Man - S1 E13: Nature vs. Nurture

#tssm #the spectacular spider-man #tssm eddie brock #tssm venom #nature vs. nurture

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linguisticdiscovery · 7 months

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A mind for language: The language innateness debate

Check out the new book A mind for language: An introduction to the innateness debate. It looks at the evidence for and against the idea that language is innate rather than learned:

For an opposing perspective, check out “The language myth: Why language is not an instinct”:

#linguistics #language #cognition #evolution #lingblr #langblr #nature vs. nurture

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liskantope · 11 months

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The topic of sexual orientation being a choice or how much it's a product of genetics or otherwise, and the whole debate around it that peaked around 15-18 years ago, has happened to come up a number of times in my posts/discussions here lately, so I might as well lay out how I feel about it.

It seems most likely to me that sexual orientation is probably largely genetic or at least somehow wired in people from birth, but not entirely and not in all cases. I think environment almost certainly plays a significant role for many though far from all people. And in some moderately exceptional cases, someone might be able to consciously choose their sexual orientation, not as in snapping their fingers and making themself attracted to a different set of people, but as in deliberately self-modifying over a prolonged period (I've seen some talk of "bi-hacking" in the rationalist-sphere, for instance.)

(I would imagine that it's pretty much the same story for transness, but I don't want to get into that here.)

Back at the final hurrah of the gay rights movement's prominence among the culture wars, during the mid-00's (this is the part I remember the best, maybe a lot of this was going on earlier as well), one of the main planks of the gay rights side was "not a choice" and "born that way". Many younger progressives nowadays tend to see this as a misguided perspective that both misleadingly oversimplified the situation and wrongly prioritized the question of choice -- why should it matter whether homosexuality is a choice, when the real point is that it's harmless? -- and lament how much this is ingrained into the victorious perspective of gay issues adopted by society, even if it was clearly good political strategy and may have been instrumental to changing hearts and minds.

I count myself among this camp: I vividly remember my high school self circa 2004 angrily insisting that all gay people were born gay and nothing whatsoever can influence someone's sexual orientation after they're born (or probably almost nothing -- I at least had some sense of epistemic caution at that age), and now I see that perspective as naive and misguided.

But, while the "not a choice", "born that way" thing was certainly overplayed in the mid-00's to the point of probably having some indirectly harmful aftereffects, I think we need to be careful about dismissing it as a totally irrelevant distraction in the debate. There are reasons it was probably crucial in our success at changing hearts and minds, and some of them do point to valid motivations.

Several arguments come to mind which mostly boil down to the fact that a low-agency model of someone implies they deserve sympathy. First of all, it seems worse to pick on a group of people for a trait they can't help, or (analogously) to rail against them developing that trait and however others are supposedly to blame for them developing it if in fact it's a trait people are born with. Relatedly, a lot of the anti-gay side's attitude came from a pervasive religious belief about homosexuality displeasing God. This kind of conviction obviously doesn't hold up very well if homosexuality is a trait that someone was born with or otherwise can't change about themself.

"But," many conservatives have said, "we're not denying that a tendency towards the 'wrong' sexual orientation is out of some people's control; we're just saying that people have enough control to be able to modify their orientations through certain types of therapy. It's just like a tendency to alcoholism: with enough work, an alcoholic can learn to not feel an overwhelming craving for a drink." Okay, but if it's evident that homosexuality is of a more deeply ingrained nature than an active addiction to alcohol, then that argument doesn't really work either. And on some level such a thing appears to be the case: at least it's pretty widely agreed that various therapies pushed by conservatives for changing someone's sexual orientation rarely work. And the "born that way" narrative, if only a rough and naive approximation of the truth, has certainly helped to explain why conversion therapy is a bad idea and should be discouraged and certainly not pushed on people.

And then there's the fact that if some marginalized trait is entirely a choice, there seems to be less moral imperative for protecting those who possess it. If being attracted to people of the same gender is something that a person can just change, sure, we might be opposed to someone having a problem with it on the principle that an attitude like that is incorrect and somewhat restrictive, but at least gay people would have the option of changing their orientation to straight even if in principle they shouldn't be required to do so. Homophobia would still be wrong, and of course any kind of violence or direct coercion in its name would be very wrong, but we might be rationally justified in focusing our priorities on people who are oppressed for being in situations they truly have no control over.

So, it's good to recognize that it's not as simple as "To tell you it's okay / You were just born that way / And hey, it's in your DNA" and super important to recognize that homophobia would still be wrong even if sexual orientation were totally under everyone's control. But I don't think the truth that sexual orientation is mostly out of people's control and probably somewhat genetic/innate should be regarded as entirely irrelevant to gay rights either.

#gay rights #genetics #nature vs. nurture #alcoholism #conversion therapy #homophobia cw #avenue q

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blueheartbookclub · 4 months

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"Resurrecting Prometheus: Mary Shelley's Haunting Masterpiece, Frankenstein"

Mary W. Shelley's "Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus" stands as an immortal testament to the enduring power of gothic literature and its exploration of the human condition. In this haunting tale of scientific ambition gone awry, Shelley weaves a narrative that transcends time, challenging our notions of morality, creation, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Victor Frankenstein's reckless quest to defy the boundaries of life and death results in the birth of a creature both wretched and sublime. Shelley's evocative prose takes us on a journey through the icy landscapes of the Arctic and the darkest recesses of the human soul. The novel's layered narrative, framed within the letters of an ambitious explorer, adds depth to the overarching tragedy, creating a sense of impending doom.

As the creature grapples with his identity, rejected by society and his own creator, Shelley compels us to confront themes of isolation, prejudice, and the consequences of playing god. The moral ambiguity of Victor Frankenstein and the sympathetic portrayal of his creature blur the lines between good and evil, challenging readers to ponder the ethical implications of scientific innovation.

"Frankenstein" is more than a cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific hubris; it is a profound exploration of the consequences of unchecked ambition and the responsibility that comes with creation. Shelley's narrative mastery, coupled with her intellectual depth, makes this novel a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers, inviting them to ponder the boundaries of human knowledge and the price of playing with the forces of life and death.

"Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary W. Shelley is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 266

Language: English

Rating: 10/10

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

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nyxtalksmusic · 1 year

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I was too young to play All of their grown up games Played a pawn anyways

#Nature vs. Nurture #Nature vs Nurture #4 o'clock in the afternoon #4 oclock in the afternoon #chase petra

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fathersonholygore · 9 months

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Repressing the Past & Nurturing Monsters in COBWEB

Cobweb (2023) Directed by Samuel Bodin Screenplay by Chris Thomas Devlin Starring Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Woody Norman, Cleopatra Coleman, & Aleksandra Dragova. Horror / Thriller ★★★★ (out of ★★★★★) DISCLAIMER: The following essay contains SPOILERS! You’ve been warned. Samuel Bodin’s unnerving Gothic film Cobweb follows the plight of an eight-year-old boy named Peter (Woody Norman) after he…

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#Abuse #Antony Starr #Cleopatra Coleman #Gothic #horror #Lizzy Caplan #Monstrosity #Nature vs. Nurture #Repression #Samuel Bodin #Sigmund Freud #Woody Norman

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blueheartbooks · 4 months

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"Resurrecting Prometheus: Mary Shelley's Haunting Masterpiece, Frankenstein"

Mary W. Shelley's "Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus" stands as an immortal testament to the enduring power of gothic literature and its exploration of the human condition. In this haunting tale of scientific ambition gone awry, Shelley weaves a narrative that transcends time, challenging our notions of morality, creation, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Victor Frankenstein's reckless quest to defy the boundaries of life and death results in the birth of a creature both wretched and sublime. Shelley's evocative prose takes us on a journey through the icy landscapes of the Arctic and the darkest recesses of the human soul. The novel's layered narrative, framed within the letters of an ambitious explorer, adds depth to the overarching tragedy, creating a sense of impending doom.

As the creature grapples with his identity, rejected by society and his own creator, Shelley compels us to confront themes of isolation, prejudice, and the consequences of playing god. The moral ambiguity of Victor Frankenstein and the sympathetic portrayal of his creature blur the lines between good and evil, challenging readers to ponder the ethical implications of scientific innovation.

"Frankenstein" is more than a cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific hubris; it is a profound exploration of the consequences of unchecked ambition and the responsibility that comes with creation. Shelley's narrative mastery, coupled with her intellectual depth, makes this novel a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers, inviting them to ponder the boundaries of human knowledge and the price of playing with the forces of life and death.

"Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary W. Shelley is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 266

Language: English

Rating: 10/10

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

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ecomehdi · 5 months

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the Power of Human Intelligence: Beyond Brain Size and Into the Cognitive Marvels 23

In the intricate tapestry of human evolution, the enigma of intelligence takes center stage. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not merely about the size of our brains but the fascinating dance of cognitive circuitry that propels our intellect. Let’s embark on a journey through the corridors of the mind, exploring the nuances of human Intelligence. Understanding the Brain’s Symphony The Intricate…

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#Brain size myths #Cognitive circuitry #Digital age challenges #Evolutionary milestones #General public awareness #Genetics and intelligence #Human intelligence #Intelligence in the modern world #Music and cognitive brilliance #Nature vs. nurture #Neuroplasticity #Screen impact on cognition #Small-brained geniuses #Social intelligence #Tool-making evolution

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turiyatitta · 10 months

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The Harmony Within

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zankalony · 1 year

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Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

No one else can or will have your exact collection of knowledge, experiences, and perceptions that causes you to be who you are. Every person is a unique puzzle composed of pieces of personality, life experiences, knowledge, and emotions. No one else can or will have your exact collection of knowledge, experiences, and perceptions that causes you to be who you are. No one else is going to…

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missteps-and-milestones · 2 years

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BPD Sibling

I want to write about my experience, but I'm having a hard time getting started. I'm an identical twin, and my sibling was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder about 2 years ago after a long diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. This all started almost 10 years ago.

I'm hoping to figure out where to start soon.

In the meantime, if you have had a similar experience, I'd love to chat and read your perspective. This has essentially consumed my 20's and occurred during that pivotal "leaving the nest" phase for my family, and we became quite dysfunctional as a result.

#bpd #borderline personality disorder #mental health #identical twins #family systems theory #psychology #nature vs. nurture

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tssm-screencaps · 2 years

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The Spectacular Spider-Man - S1 E13: Nature vs. Nurture

#tssm #the spectacular spider man #tssm venom #nature vs. nurture #for the gays

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princestreetco · 2 years

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#Think | Nature vs. nurture, explained by a geneticist | Kathryn Paige Harden

#PrinceStreet #Learning #Video #Technology #Media #Science #Youtube #Tech #Nature vs. nurture

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buckttommy · 1 month

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christopher sneaking into chimney's room in fight or flight. he's so full of love, that's why his whole attitude in s7 re: dating is so callous and incongruent to who he is. like, this is the kid whose known chimney for all of half a year and decided he wanted sneak away from the adults/his dad to sit at his bedside and keep him company even though he was asleep/unconscious and you're telling ME he doesn't regard his girl friends feelings with the UTMOST care?????? get outta here with that. he really is a mini buck. feeling everything so deeply with absolutely no idea what to do with it all so he just smushes it down and creates different problems that don't need to exist. bless him.

#there's also something to be said about the whole nature vs. nurture of it all and the age old scientific question of #are we born or are we made #and there's something so. world defining. over the fact that christopher has spent so much time with buck he's subconsciously #picked up his worst coping habits. and it truly is a subconscious thing because it's not like buck/eddie are talking to their kid about how #buck used to be a ho (affectionate) so that introduces this other idea of christopher's subconscious processing #both of like. buck's relationships and why those relationships ended #blahblahblah anyway no one fucking cares jack i KNOW trust me i know i'm just talking to myself here but hm! interesting!#tv: 911 #jack.txt #christopher diaz

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sysig · 4 months

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