I PM'd you the link. You'll get it easily. It is analogous to PTSD. It's not suck it up and get over it, there are real, measurable, permanent changes that take place and im[act brain function.

@Mitch07102 That makes no sense. Hard work and good decisions cause PTSD? Sure...

@indirect76 Do some investigation and it will. I used to work with a few scientists and researchers who were experts in brain trauma.

@Mitch07102 No need to research. I’ll believe you and make sure to no work hard or make good decisions. I don’t want to get PTSD.

In the same way that " just cheer up! It isn't so bad." Cures depression. Both "solutions" focus on the symptoms while ignoring and dismissing the underlying framework of the disease.

@OpposingOpposum yes...that is a great way to explain it....but of course, many who don't support the science behind depression will also claim that one can just "get over it"...

@thinktwice they can support it but they'd still be wrong. Beliefs do not equal evidence.

@OpposingOpposum sigh...yep...

He does state in the article that his escape was simply by chance. As well, he makes allowances for the exceptions as do you; however, I think bringing science into the equation is what makes this article stand out above many of the more socially geared ones.

The ability to just work hard and make good decisions is taken away by this epigenetic precursor that might have a generational impact. Otherwise, the explanation is that poor people don't work hard or make good decisions ..I don't think that is true...they might not know how or be less capable, just as if they had a genetic disease...

And of course, your last sentence is true...but you have to be able to do those things first...that was the point I got from his article...your views don't conflict with that of the author...he just has a different explanation more biologically based...

Simplistic tag lines seem to the way to target this population but given that premises, how would you explain the non-white poor seemingly immune to the same words? It is selective targeting? Perhaps the same tactic works equally well with the left using rallying cries of KKK, Nazi, racists, etc.? Just a thought...is brainwashing easier on the poor no matter the source and whoever gets to them first wins?

@thinktwice your stereotype of "nonwhites" doesn't stand up as most are Christian, anti abortion, and anti gay (check statistics). Many, however are willing to vote for other reasons. More liberal voters can have their attention gained with catch words, but are more likely to seek out multiple news services. More liberal voters are less likely to forgive as well: think Franken versus Pres Pussy grabber.

@Beowulfsfriend as a non-white, my point was that I question whether or not the same genetic factors as suggested in the article support your suggestion of magic words being more easily absorbed by poor white people...I don't think the same factors are responsible for this...I do think it is other reasons as well...you can't attribute one group being brainwashed by these rally cries and not give the same attributes to the other using being poor as the variable...so perhaps there is a totally different reason for this and not epigenetics...or were you just making a totally unrelated observation?

@thinktwice i think people of all races can are "brainwashed" or influenced to believe a certain way. I don't think race, aside from when one group uses it as a caste system, plays into anyone being able to pull themselves out of poverty. Due to some caste system stereotypes in place it may be more difficult for nonwhites in reality. I believe, like the author, luck can and does play into most people escaping the chain of poverty. Sometimes merit can be found, however, that is often discovered from outside sources.

@thinktwice i think I may have misread your commentary the first time through. I did not note you had written it. I've seen your posts before and know them to be well reasoned and thoughtful.

@Beowulfsfriend I just find that even within a well written and insightful document, there are pieces that trigger certain points of discussion...I told the person who posted it that I tend to get sucked into a whirlpool of research, pinned books, and further discussions...you know...one thing leads to another ...spirited discussion with intellectuals can be even more difficult because we come with an arsenal of facts and perhaps too much information...ha ha ha...I think we have to continue to question our own conclusions and respect those of colleagues and those who obviously know more and seek to educate us...I am particularly interested in genetics and epigenetics and just find any reference to these a rabbit hole...thank you for not making it a race issue...it is not for me...

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