Free Will (The nature of a \'Creator\')

by David Turell , Monday, September 06, 2010, 18:56 (4971 days ago) @ romansh

Pinker is quoting what is taught in med school: personality is 40% genetics, 40% familial influence in growing up and 20% personal conclusions from experience when independent of family. 
> In his latest book The Blank Slate Pinker suggests the influences are about 40% genetic, about 50% peers, and maybe 10% family. Surprisingly low on the family side?-Pinker and I are at different ends of political thought, which influences both of us. As a very conservative person, I filter out peer pressure and I'm sure he doesn't, as a post-modern liberal.
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> > As far as chemicals and illnesses messing with brain function, I thought we were discussing normal people, defined as not with a disease. Obviously you make a good point. I'm sure I am more normal than you are. ) We certainly may have unrecognized quirks, and I view free will as within those limts for that person.
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> How many whiskies do I have to have before I loose my free will? Just enough to pass out?-Less than that: whisky is the enemy of inhibitions.
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> I have read that about half of our non-coding DNA appears viral in origin? Is this correct?-In my interpretation of the reports, no. Some of the viral markers are being used by us. Junk DNA is a bad term as the original 97% was so-identified. Even duplications are important as modifiers. I don't think we know the percentage of non-useful DNA/RNA as yet. There is useful RNA all through our DNA. -I go away on a horse show trip for three days and the whole site is stirred up, and I have to sit and try and catch up. You have been a marvelous probe to activity. )