On Dec 24, 10:50*am, sandy wrote:


I'm beginning to think this kind of stubborn
resistance to needed change is a genetic condition. Rational
evaluation of the evidence just doesn't support this kind
of boneheaded behavior.



Good to 'see' ya, Sandy G

There is evidence that "conservative" IS a genetic condition ...

I'm too lazy to search for the links on X-mas but I've read several
interesting studies. One has shown that people that call themselves
'conservative' have THREE TIMES the brain activity in areas associated
with fear as others, when shown exactly the same images or other
stimulation !! Another study has followed individuals for years
and indicates that it is possible to predict adult political leanings
by observing youngsters and their interactions ... those 'destined' to
conservative politics tend to be much less outgoing and, again, far
more prone to fear, as children.

Apparently, when 'they' engage in fear mongering, it's NOT just a
political game ... they really are afraid and know their constituents
really are too. Change IS often scary, is it not? It's probably
far more so to them.

Although, I've seen no studies to support this observations, I
personally, have also reached the conclusion that weak mental
abilities in the areas of 'empathy' and 'imagination' are strongly
connected to politically 'conservative' individuals. I first
noticed this many years ago in a discussion with a stongly
conservative friend. He simply was incapable of using his
imagination and mentally inserting himself into the shoes of
others, ... and it did appear to be lack of ability in those skills,
not any lack of effort, or lack of 'intelligence'. Since that
conversation, I've noticed the same weaknesses in many 'right wing'
people I've met.

It often seems conservatives simply aren't capable of visualizing a
future that is both different and better. Maybe their brains
really are that limited and they really can't. Maybe we should see
them as handicapped more than as simply self-serving boneheads, ....
maybe it would be fairer to them and make communicating with them
easier.