Unfair and Unbalanced Minds

How  you process information is correlated with political orientation

That subheading sounds kind of like a no-Brainer, but it isn’t what you think.  There is a correlation between the thought process and political ‘orientation’.  Below is an excerpt the LA Times. 

Study finds left-wing brain, right-wing brain

Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work. In a simple experiment being reported today in the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists at New York University and UCLA show that political orientation is related to differences in how the brain processes information.

Psychological studies have found that conservatives tend to be more structured and persistent in their judgments whereas liberals are more open to new experiences. The latest study found those traits are not confined to political situations but also influence everyday decisions. The results show “there are two cognitive styles — a liberal style and a conservative style,” said UCLA neurologist Dr. Marco Iacoboni, who was not connected to the latest research.

Unfair and Unbalanced Minds

Republicans and Democrats use different processes for thinking?  Yeah, I could see that.  It might actually lend some weight to Republicans and/or Democrats who believe that some politically challenged adversaries are ‘mentally ill’.  In a lot of cases, nothing could be more true!  This begs the question, how would drugs affect a person’s political views and would it only be temporary?    Would Stimulants (cocaine) yield conservatives, Depressants (weed) yield Democrats? 

I’ve often wondered if there might be more to political passion than simply environmental factors.  I’m a heavy Right brain type, my creativity is off the charts and I’m most definitely open to new views, opinions, and even changing my political affiliation altogether if I find something that better suits my point of view. The idea of being a ’structured’ thinker seems like an inhibition I’d rather live without.  I enjoy my freedom every sense of the word, not just political freedom.  My mind could wander through dozens of ideas that are completely unrelated and I have no problem with this kind of multitasking as long as I’m productive or ‘gaining’ from the thought process.

Speaking of Free Thinking Politics

Lately I’ve been exploring libertarianism.  There is so much about it that makes sense but I struggle with some of the fine points.  I would struggle to create policy arguments in a number of cases, especially regarding ideas such as getting rid of the Department of Education, Federal Reserve, Social Security, etc, ideas that Ron Paul pushes!  I couldn’t possibly pose as a Libertarian, but I’d love to learn more in fact, I’ve considered basing an entire site around it.  For now, I’ll just call myself a moderate Democrat / free thinker even though lately I’ve been hard on Bush and Republicans that helped him into office.  I’ve been especially cruel to those neo-conservatives that continue to support his crap, and I won’t apologize for my venom.  In fact, maybe this is one area where my ‘free thinking mind’ is more like that of a Republican, I will not budge on this matter. 

Though I’m unwilling to compromise on my hate for this President and I view anyone who supports him with a skeptical eye, I love Republicans who go against the fray.  They make me so happy, I want to be best friends with them.  It doesn’t make me conservative, not by a long shot, any more than hating on Bush makes me a Democrat.  What is all this rambling about?  This is  more or less how a ‘free mind’ works, you go with the flow and make the best of whatever situation you’re in or find ways to adjust to that which irks you.  I guess that would suggest that I’m a liberal kind of thinker!  Except for that whole “you’re a liberal asshole” line of arguments that I hear from time to time. 

Maybe I’m just an asshole and the free thinker forces me to say whatever is on my mind, regardless of the consequences.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
Email this author | All posts by Fred Soto