It's all in your genes

[Joker]

Surrounded by friends? It's all in your genes



By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Are you a social butterfly, or do you prefer being at the edge of a group of friends? Either way, your genes and evolution may play a major role, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
While it may come as no surprise that genes may help explain why some people have many friends and others have few, the researchers said, their findings go just a little farther than that.
"Some of the things we find are frankly bizarre," said Nicholas Christakis of Harvard University in Massachusetts, who helped conduct the study.
"We find that how interconnected your friends are depends on your genes. Some people have four friends who know each other and some people have four friends who don't know each other. Whether Dick and Harry know each other depends on Tom's genes," Christakis said in a telephone interview.
Christakis and colleague James Fowler of the University of California San Diego are best known for their studies that show obesity, smoking and happiness spread in networks.
For this study, they and Christopher Dawes of UCSD used national data that compared more than 1,000 identical and fraternal twins. Because twins share an environment, these studies are good for showing the impact that genes have on various things, because identical twins share all their genes while fraternal twine share just half.
"We found there appears to be a genetic tendency to introduce your friends to each other," Christakis said.
There could be good, evolutionary reasons for this. People in the middle of a social network could be privy to useful gossip, such as the location of food or good investment choices.



But they would also be at risk of catching germs from all sides -- in which case the advantage would lie in more cautious social behavior, they wrote in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"It may be that natural selection is acting on not just things like whether or not we can resist the common cold, but also who it is that we are going to come into contact with," Fowler said in a statement.


http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE50P6Y120090126

[bast]

Unrelated but first thought, A couple years ago i was talking with a friend about genome findings taking the mystery out of many personality characteristics, and suggested that I thought homosexuality would probably have a specific characteristic, and was shunned. Told that gays fought hard for their right to choose, and to sugesst that it's genetic, would be like saying it was a syndrome.

[Bonsai]

Hi Joker!

This doesn't surprise me. I've always thought there must be a genetic component to sociability. My mom is super outgoing and my dad is SUPER reserved, and I find myself conflicted over the two tendencies a lot. One day I'll feel outgoing and the next day painfully shy. I think sometimes it confuses people.

Then again maybe I just have multiple personalities. :funny1:

[BHB]

Why is this not in Politics and Religion?

[SunshineDrummer]

Why is this not in Politics and Religion?

Why would it be?

And Jack--stop tryin' to get into my genes. :funny1:

[BHB]

Why would it be?

because Jack posted it.

it's where all his threads belong.

[mario]

Why is this not in Politics and Religion?

Because it's about neither...

Interesting study. Heard this on NPR this morning.... The thing about this is when data comes out to suggest a genetic link to social behavior, proponents are quick to dismiss all other influences and blindly say "Bah, it's genetics".

It may be a factor, but certainly not the only one, and may not even be the ultimate deciding factor in many cases.

[SunshineDrummer]

because Jack posted it.

it's where all his threads belong.

:lol:

Nice try, but no. Contrary to public opinion, the forum is called "Politics & Religion" not "Everything Joker Posts."

[HoopsTer]

Hi Joker!

This doesn't surprise me. I've always thought there must be a genetic component to sociability. My mom is super outgoing and my dad is SUPER reserved, and I find myself conflicted over the two tendencies a lot. One day I'll feel outgoing and the next day painfully shy. I think sometimes it confuses people.

Then again maybe I just have multiple personalities. :funny1:

I am the exact same way, but my dad is the outgoing one and my mom is the shy one. Im pretty sure when people encounter my shy side they just presume I'm being a snob or a bitch. :undecided: It happens to my mom alot too, she's painfully shy and it comes off as bitchy. :(

[Prometheus]

Unrelated but first thought, A couple years ago i was talking with a friend about genome findings taking the mystery out of many personality characteristics, and suggested that I thought homosexuality would probably have a specific characteristic, and was shunned. Told that gays fought hard for their right to choose, and to sugesst that it's genetic, would be like saying it was a syndrome.

That's odd. I never heard it framed as a "choice" or one that was fought for. The only time it's described as a choice, that I can recall, is by those who oppose it completely and think people can be rehabbed and reformed into hetero compliance. Who shunned you and how, if I may ask? Were they academics? What an unusual reaction to a likely enough theory...

[In A Silent Way]

What genetic advantage do I reap from being a social maladept? :huh:

[Joker]

Hi Joker!

This doesn't surprise me. I've always thought there must be a genetic component to sociability. My mom is super outgoing and my dad is SUPER reserved, and I find myself conflicted over the two tendencies a lot. One day I'll feel outgoing and the next day painfully shy. I think sometimes it confuses people.

Then again maybe I just have multiple personalities. :funny1:Hey Bonsai

That sounds like my folks too, Lately I think I've become more reserved. Hopefully spring will bring change

Hope you guys are doing good out there.

[Joker]

Joker, you are one of the biggest FUCKIN ASHOLES I have ever come across.

:heart:

[KindGeeGirl]

Joker, is it in your genes to be racist?

[KindGeeGirl]

COOL because SunshineDrummer is coming to your rescue as usual.

YOU ARE FUCKIN RACIST ASSHOLE!!!

[Prometheus]

COOL because SunshineDrummer is coming to your rescue as usual.

YOU ARE FUCKIN RACIST ASSHOLE!!!

There was no such thing in this thread. Please contain your animosity within pertinent threads. I wanna hear more about genetic markers and stuff.:joker:

[Joker]

COOL because SunshineDrummer is coming to your rescue as usual.

YOU ARE FUCKIN RACIST ASSHOLE!!!I was unaware I needed to be rescued.

I've dealt with your insults, lies and hate before with no problem. I don't need to be rescued from it.

Perhaps you're mistaken (wouldn't be the first time) and she's just reminding you that personal attacks will not be tolerated.

[Spidergawd]

Jack, few things make me smile like when you are the voice of reason...:funny1:

[SunshineDrummer]

Sorry guys, but this thread is finding a new home since some folks can't stop crapping outside their cage.

[Prometheus]

What just happened here? Was Joker sabotaged for no apparent reason? Now I'll never get any follow up because somebody doesn't know how to act! Fuck that!

[bast]

That's odd. I never heard it framed as a "choice" or one that was fought for. The only time it's described as a choice, that I can recall, is by those who oppose it completely and think people can be rehabbed and reformed into hetero compliance. Who shunned you and how, if I may ask? Were they academics? What an unusual reaction to a likely enough theory...


He was an educated friend, who had more friends in the gay community, so I took it as a PC thing. I tend to occasionally suffer from foot in the mouth syndrome so didn't think much of it, but always wanted a "second opinion"

As for this thread being moved, and there actually being a place here called the dirty diaper, IMO this community has reached an all time low. I'm not sure what prompted personal attacks about race and what have you, but it certainly didn't seem to have anything to do with this thread.

[In A Silent Way]

:trainwreck:

[BHB]

since this was already moved, can we put it in Politics and Religion?

that would make me feel important and listented-to.

:norm:

[SunshineDrummer]

since this was already moved, can we put it in Politics and Religion?

that would make me feel important and listented-to.

:norm:

:lol:

Probably not since its neither political nor religious in nature. But please know that you are important and we do listen. :)

[Prometheus]

He was an educated friend, who had more friends in the gay community, so I took it as a PC thing. I tend to occasionally suffer from foot in the mouth syndrome so didn't think much of it, but always wanted a "second opinion"

As for this thread being moved, and there actually being a place here called the dirty diaper, IMO this community has reached an all time low. I'm not sure what prompted personal attacks about race and what have you, but it certainly didn't seem to have anything to do with this thread.

With all due respect, I think he's not only wrong, but that his claim is the opposite of politically correct. You almost never hear anyone argue that sexual identity is a personal choice, unless they are trying to disparage and undermine those that differ from theirs. Interesting.

[Joker]

What just happened here? Was Joker sabotaged for no apparent reason? Now I'll never get any follow up because somebody doesn't know how to act! Fuck that!

I'm guessing she's pissed off because years ago when I was calling someone out for being a liar I asked him if lying was in his genes. That turned into me being labeled an anti-semite. That's the only reason I can think of for this little hissy fit being thrown.

I can somewhat understand the reasoning for moving this thread. Although now I'm wondering if all someone has to do to get a thread they don't like moved is simply to start attacking and insuting people.

What sucks is even the people who are "coming to my defense" are moving my threads :joker:


:wink:

[Joker]

Jack, few things make me smile like when you are the voice of reason...:funny1:Too bad it doesn't happen more often :lol:

[KindGeeGirl]

You see people one of the MANY times Joker did his usual racist shit stirring crap it was the genes stuff. I'm not going to defend myself because I know what is going on and so do most people on this board. Joker or Israel threads do not get moved just drama crap gets moved.

AND for goodness sakes people they create studies about ANYTHING!!! Don't you think that some of it is the environment they are raised in.

[KindGeeGirl]

MAN you must be using some serious lube on those crosses tonight :funny1:

[KindGeeGirl]

I'm guessing she's pissed off because years ago when I was calling someone out for being a liar I asked him if lying was in his genes. That turned into me being labeled an anti-semite. That's the only reason I can think of for this little hissy fit being thrown.


OH I knew you were racist long before then.

Happy trolling :)

[In A Silent Way]

:signdeadend:

[Tabbooma]

MAN you must be using some serious lube on those crosses tonight :funny1:

What does that mean... Please explain...

[Joker]

What does that mean... Please explain...In one of her rants about me being a racist and an anti-semite, and knowing I'm a Christian, she said something about imagining me sticking a cross up my ass when she's upset with me.

This kind of thing she finds acceptable but the genes thing is racist, go figure :lol:

[BHB]

yikes.. this got a bit uglier than i expected.

just for the record, as i hope you know, i was joking around with the drama.... but even i stop short of crucifix sodomization. :oldtimer:

parenthesis for all involved!

(((gina)))
(((jack)))

[sarah b.]

MAN you must be using some serious lube on those crosses tonight :funny1:

I'm aware of the background stuff related to this thread (I wasn't around the day this thread happened, just found it now, 1:40ish a.m. on Wed., 1/27/09), around which time (and probably after that, at one point, but I don't remember) Joker and I swapped a bunch of IMs about genetics and inbreeding and anti-Semitism, etc. I concluded it was a jackanddan issue and (at that point), he was ignorant re: just how grand a history of inbreeding existed among nomadic tribes of Jews. While, as a Jew, I found his remark offensive, I realized his intent was to offend Dan, not an entire group of people which includes those not among those nomads. Having a chronic, degenerative genetic illness as a result of this nomadic inbreeding, it doesn't hit much closer to home, when people say shit like that. But people who aren't raised Jewish don't necessarily know about that shit, and it was clear (at the time of first discussion), Joker didn't know about it.

Do I think it was a deliberately provocative thread? Sure. But there's a lot of discussion beyond Joker trying to get a rise out of Dan that I find thought-provoking contained therein.

As for the cross-fucking reference, as a human being who tries to show respect for the beliefs of others/their right to have ones that are different than mine, as well as believing the things related to Judaism that I do, I find your disrespect for religious articles of an ENTIRE religion extremely disgusting and equally reprehensible as Joker's original genes comment to Dan. Why direct such a nasty sentiment in a manner that can be construed as offensive to members of an ENTIRE religion, when you're just mad at Joker? What have you got against dildos?

Everyone knows, dildoes have no souls. They speak a universal language. Can you allow your disgust to be understood globally? Can you tell Joker how you really feel without suggesting he sodomizes himself with symbols of a religion many people who post here share? You are intelligent enough to do so. Two Wrights make an airplane. Two wrongs, in this case, are ignorant and disgusting. Have a good night.

-----------------------------------------------------
You want to know what's really fun?!

Listening to your mother vent about drama your aunt is causing your grandmother over lawyer shit. Learning that your until-hours-ago favorite aunt is trying to be less than honest, but understanding why she's acting so irrationally. Not being able to trust your aunt. People being stupid and selfish to the tune of my grandmother threw up last night when she realized the shit my aunt has been trying to get her to sign.

It's a bunch of big, stupid sucks, and I hate that what was left of my family (which a different uncle had already split) is now in a giant state of suck, suck, suck, and I wish I could feel for my aunt more ('cause I know she wants to do well, in the long run, but she's totally trying to do it wrong, and it sucks).

And I'm so happy I tried to let it all go in one ear and tried to let it all go out the other, 'cause it was all bad, bad shit, and my mom has surgery on Monday, and I need to finish learning to walk again (I'm almost there, sort of), and it's just bullshit. I haven't seen my mom this mad in about 20 years (and I heard the calm, a few days later version). And I don't trust my aunt to not try and pull more shit while my mom's recovering next week (arthroscopic surgery, shouldn't be bad), and that leaves me, the genius who can't even fucking walk, as the one to protect my mom and her other siblings' interests. And none of my other aunts know about this shit, and it's all confidential, which is good, 'cause I don't remember enough details of it, anyway. I wish I could just be in total denial of this. It hurts, that this would be happening, even if I understand the motives behind it, and I realize they mean well on other levels.

Hey, my left foot fell asleep for the first time in over three months. I guess that means I have enough circulation back for it to do so. I think that's good. At least my foot's getting better. I took a little spill today. I'm not ready for stairs without crutches yet (my right leg kind of forgot how to walk. I felt really stupid at PT). At least I tried to get up the stairs. I can't wait to ditch these fucking crutches. :) I have no idea if feet falling asleep is even related to circulation.

[/rant]

[Tabbooma]

"As for the cross-fucking reference, as a human being who tries to show respect for the beliefs of others/their right to have ones that are different than mine, as well as believing the things related to Judaism that I do, I find your disrespect for religious articles of an ENTIRE religion extremely disgusting and equally reprehensible as Joker's original genes comment to Dan. Why direct such a nasty sentiment in a manner that can be construed as offensive to members of an ENTIRE religion, when you're just mad at Joker? What have you got against dildos?

Everyone knows, dildoes have no souls. They speak a universal language. Can you allow your disgust to be understood globally? Can you tell Joker how you really feel without suggesting he sodomizes himself with symbols of a religion many people who post here share? You are intelligent enough to do so. Two Wrights make an airplane. Two wrongs, in this case, are ignorant and disgusting. Have a good night."

Thanks Sara for shedding some light... Not many things I find offensive but calling someone a racist and the lubed cross is childish at best.

Jack you don't have anything against Dildos, right? And for the record I met and BS'd with Jack at the last vibes a couple of times and he was nothing but helpful and a good guy. :V:

[Joker]

Actually yes, those dildos you have to hook up to a generator kind of scare me a bit so I try to avoid them. I realize that type of attitude is not DC (Dildo Correct) butt I just can't help myself.


On a serious note she's also accused me of ogling her at Vibes and making her feel uncomfortable during (I think she said) Ratdog's set. I just happened to be in the VIP area at the time with my wife and even if she was pole dancing I wouldn't have been staring at her. I couldn't tell you what she looks like and I'm pretty sure she wasn't in VIP but that didn't stop her from throwing out another false accusation.