Sunday, February 19, 2006
Pause to Think
For those still capable of grasping the concept of evolution, there are some interesting little-known aspects to that in terms of the development of the human brain and associated characteristics of personality.
I'm not talking about the well-understood and acknowledged science of brain development that can be impaired by physical or psychological abuse or lack of a loving, nurturing environment in individuals. Rather, I'm referring to the multi-generational impact across millenia of aggressive, individualistic, exclusive culture versus kind, communitarian, inclusive families and societies.
We work with what we have, of course, but it's startling as well as sobering when health workers in the US observe a distinct difference at birth between Indian and non-Indian babies' demeanor. These observations, admittedly, do not take into account pre-natal practices, and I wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions.
It is, however, intriguing to mingle among tribal peoples, as well as countries like Portugal, where behavior and expression are notably less hostile than among ordinary Americans. At the very least, it ought to give us pause to think.
I'm not talking about the well-understood and acknowledged science of brain development that can be impaired by physical or psychological abuse or lack of a loving, nurturing environment in individuals. Rather, I'm referring to the multi-generational impact across millenia of aggressive, individualistic, exclusive culture versus kind, communitarian, inclusive families and societies.
We work with what we have, of course, but it's startling as well as sobering when health workers in the US observe a distinct difference at birth between Indian and non-Indian babies' demeanor. These observations, admittedly, do not take into account pre-natal practices, and I wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions.
It is, however, intriguing to mingle among tribal peoples, as well as countries like Portugal, where behavior and expression are notably less hostile than among ordinary Americans. At the very least, it ought to give us pause to think.
