With all due respect, the movie is SCIENTIFICALLY CORRECT. Yes, genetics matters, but so is your willpower...or your environment...or nurture...or drive..or...whatever you want to call it...It is called EPIGENETICS.
In fact, within certain deviations, your willpower matters more than your genetics. Very easy to prove: go to tier 1, world class scientific publications like "Nature" or "science" and do a subject search for "epigenetics"....or just search pubmed site and look for "EPIGENETICS".
There are actual, molecular biological data backing this up. Data that were ascertained through null mutations, loss-of-function mutations, weak-loss-of-function mutations, site-directed mutagenesis, nucleotide substitution models, subcellular fractionation, subcloning, western blotting, northern blotting, southern blotting, histones acetylation analysis, etcetera, etcetera... Basically, your environment(willpower or parenting or nurturing, etc) strongly determines the expression levels of your genomic codes. It regulates/spikes it beyond the expected genetic limit.
This is one of the hottest areas of molecular biochemistry research right now because it shatters darwinian thesis.
EPIGENETICS completely subverts the Darwinian model and backs up Lamarckian model of genetics. The fact is that, your genes does matter, however, even more important than that, is the DECISION by you to force/stress your genes to act beyond its prescribed genetic limits. This is the denominator that plays a HUMONGOUS role in any organism's life.
In one of the many countless studies, they mutate rats to create dumb rats with low neural uptakes, lower levels of certain neurotransmitters, etc...basically a rat with low IQ....and then make them compete against normal smart rats in maze/puzzle tests....the dumb rats losts 100%.
They then creates stimulating learning environment for the dumb rats and push and push them....eventually, the dumb rates starts performing close to the smart rats....the F1 generation of the dumb rats performed AT THE LEVEL of the smart rats F1 generation. The F2 generations were also neck to neck without sustained stimulating learning aid. They've inherited the new genetic expression levels from their parents. Despite the fact that the F1 and F2 generation of dumb rats still have the stupid genes.
The genes of the dumb rats has forced itself to start producing higher levels of neurotransmitters to match intellectual challenge fostered on them(bypassing its genetic limits through the sheer force of the environment.)
Dissecting the brains of the dumb rats...they found out that their brains has somehow manage to produce neurotransmitters and regulate neural uptake to match that of the smart rats. Despite the fact that they still have the inherited stupid genes.
of course, there are limits to how far you can push past your genetic inheritance. However, what they see here is an unforeseen plasticity to genes interactions and expressions. Genetics is not necessarily destiny.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS?
Sure, blank statists are wrong...but thinking your genetics determines everything about you is absurd in the face of scientific evidence...unless you can disprove epigenetics....the truth is inbetween. Enriching social programs will help the "underpriviledged"...however, if the underpriviledged DOES NOT HAVE THE INTEREST/WILLPOWER...all the social engineering will not make a single fucking difference. Nada. Zilch.
I can see how this will upset those obsessed with their white IQ scores.
All the genetic gifts in the world means nothing without the will to execute.
All the social engineering in the world means nothing without the will to execute.
It is that simple. WILL TO POWER. It is.
This also goes to some of the threads about nature vs nurture...talent vs hardwork...etc....right now, you cannot change your genetics...all you can do is how hard you are willing to work towards your goal...what you can do is to "not leave anything for the swim back".
Go all in. And may fortune favours the bold.
In fact, within certain deviations, your willpower matters more than your genetics. Very easy to prove: go to tier 1, world class scientific publications like "Nature" or "science" and do a subject search for "epigenetics"....or just search pubmed site and look for "EPIGENETICS".
There are actual, molecular biological data backing this up. Data that were ascertained through null mutations, loss-of-function mutations, weak-loss-of-function mutations, site-directed mutagenesis, nucleotide substitution models, subcellular fractionation, subcloning, western blotting, northern blotting, southern blotting, histones acetylation analysis, etcetera, etcetera... Basically, your environment(willpower or parenting or nurturing, etc) strongly determines the expression levels of your genomic codes. It regulates/spikes it beyond the expected genetic limit.
This is one of the hottest areas of molecular biochemistry research right now because it shatters darwinian thesis.
EPIGENETICS completely subverts the Darwinian model and backs up Lamarckian model of genetics. The fact is that, your genes does matter, however, even more important than that, is the DECISION by you to force/stress your genes to act beyond its prescribed genetic limits. This is the denominator that plays a HUMONGOUS role in any organism's life.
In one of the many countless studies, they mutate rats to create dumb rats with low neural uptakes, lower levels of certain neurotransmitters, etc...basically a rat with low IQ....and then make them compete against normal smart rats in maze/puzzle tests....the dumb rats losts 100%.
They then creates stimulating learning environment for the dumb rats and push and push them....eventually, the dumb rates starts performing close to the smart rats....the F1 generation of the dumb rats performed AT THE LEVEL of the smart rats F1 generation. The F2 generations were also neck to neck without sustained stimulating learning aid. They've inherited the new genetic expression levels from their parents. Despite the fact that the F1 and F2 generation of dumb rats still have the stupid genes.
The genes of the dumb rats has forced itself to start producing higher levels of neurotransmitters to match intellectual challenge fostered on them(bypassing its genetic limits through the sheer force of the environment.)
Dissecting the brains of the dumb rats...they found out that their brains has somehow manage to produce neurotransmitters and regulate neural uptake to match that of the smart rats. Despite the fact that they still have the inherited stupid genes.
of course, there are limits to how far you can push past your genetic inheritance. However, what they see here is an unforeseen plasticity to genes interactions and expressions. Genetics is not necessarily destiny.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS?
Sure, blank statists are wrong...but thinking your genetics determines everything about you is absurd in the face of scientific evidence...unless you can disprove epigenetics....the truth is inbetween. Enriching social programs will help the "underpriviledged"...however, if the underpriviledged DOES NOT HAVE THE INTEREST/WILLPOWER...all the social engineering will not make a single fucking difference. Nada. Zilch.
I can see how this will upset those obsessed with their white IQ scores.
All the genetic gifts in the world means nothing without the will to execute.
All the social engineering in the world means nothing without the will to execute.
It is that simple. WILL TO POWER. It is.
This also goes to some of the threads about nature vs nurture...talent vs hardwork...etc....right now, you cannot change your genetics...all you can do is how hard you are willing to work towards your goal...what you can do is to "not leave anything for the swim back".
Go all in. And may fortune favours the bold.
Quote: (07-08-2013 05:47 AM)ao85 Wrote:
I love this movie too. The problem is, though, is that the movie is scientifically wrong. Genetics matters, a lot. China will eventually embrace genetic engineering and will demonstrate the absurdity of our blank slate ideology.
Anyway, plenty of people like to spout PC garbage about genetics not mattering and that anyone can get ahead. I would like to see what they would do if they needed a sperm donor for their kids - pay 20$ to a homeless guy or lowlife for their spunk or thousands to a clinic to ensure that they get the genes of an athletic ivy leaguer?
Like we say about women, pay attention to their actions, not what they say they want.
.
A year from now you will wish you had started today.....May fortune favours the bold.