tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post5670952258494819270..comments2024-03-10T19:55:48.814-04:00Comments on VOTARIES OF HORROR: Daughter of Time: Research & History, Claims 9 & 10Katherine Woodburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14364517253667798449noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-18300323171702773672015-08-26T11:03:27.739-04:002015-08-26T11:03:27.739-04:00I think birth order theory does make interesting o...I think birth order theory does make interesting observations. In general, however, between the nature v. nurture positions, I tend to side with nature, simply because the nurture arguers have made such egregious and problematic claims (schizophrenia is caused by a bad mother; gender identity is entirely constructed). <br /><br />However, even the nature arguments begin to pall after awhile. Judith Rich Harris claims that statistically speaking, a large chunk (not terribly statistical but I can't remember the actual number) of personality is unaccounted-for. Nobody knows exactly why conjoined twins born with the same genes and reared in exactly the same environment turn out so differently. My personal feeling is that the social scientists can't answer this one. It really is in the hands of the theologians and philosophers (and storytellers).<br /><br />From a scientific point of view, the entire universe is built on basic laws (gravity) underscored by controlled chaos (quantum mechanics). I think that pretty much describes the human condition. Katherine Woodburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14364517253667798449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9721761.post-22339841513971464462015-08-24T15:02:12.418-04:002015-08-24T15:02:12.418-04:00I agree with your points about the Boston Massacre...I agree with your points about the Boston Massacre, though would add that all the British soldiers should have been acquitted since the mob was, well, a mob and trying to cause an event. In short, if you throw rocks at people with guns, don't be surprised or offended if you get shot.<br /><br />Child order is a good example of a way to understand behavior and given specific behavior by an individual, may be useful in predicting future behavior. However, to state "middle children make good marriages" may be accurate in a strictly statistical sense, but is utterly useless for any given couple without first understanding their behavior (and even then is arguably more interesting than useful.)<br /><br />In a related vein, while I am fundamentally introverted, I've long realized than some, if not much, of my actual response to situations is due to other factors, which my introverted nature exacerbates. In other words, my reluctance to trust people has a far bigger impact on my social relationships than being an introvert. However, the latter lets me isolate myself without excessive mental anguish. (Lacking the impulse to socialize with people I distrust is, to me, a good thing in many ways.)Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04450897654318345683noreply@blogger.com