Another juicy site: neuropolitics

[joft]

http://neuropolitics.org/TDepot.asp

[philonightmare]

*gets excited* this will definitely help me in my research. :D thanks for the find, Joft.

[Stillwater]

Nice find. Especially good article on left/right brain hemispheres. The sunlight theory is very interesting as well.

The importance of dopamine in the theories made me wonder about the increasingly common use of SSRI's in affluent countries. Might these drugs have an socio-political effect beyond treating depression? http://www.newstarget.com/006639.html


I remember reading about researchers using brain scans to measure differences between liberals and conservatives. I think we might be becoming too sophisticated for our own good. Perhaps that's how we can split the vote nearly 50-50? Marketing is nothing new, but I think neuromarketing crosses some ethical lines.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6356637/

[joft]

i think it's great, neuropolitics, neuroeconomics, and evolutionary psychology are allowing us to see our own motivations and become more self-conscious. maybe people won't be so convinced that they're right when they know that there are a ton of factors influencing the way they're thinking other than their supposed autonomous decision making.

but then i can't really see anyone taking this to normative instead of just descriptive conclusions, and that's probably highly likely as soon as any ENTJ finds out about this

[Lee]

It's still autonomous decision making, we just better understand what that means, and whether an opinion is predominantly dopamine or norepinephrine influenced has no bearing on whether they are right or wrong.

[joft]

and whether there is such a thing as right or wrong, or economic efficiency or optimal ethical social game theory, or whether or not it's worth even bothering to pursue those things and why, has no bearing on whether or not the theories on the site are accurate. i'm interested in them just for their own sake

[tinribz]

I am right handed but left footed. What does that mean?

[Stillwater]

and whether there is such a thing as right or wrong, or economic efficiency or optimal ethical social game theory, or whether or not it's worth even bothering to pursue those things and why, has no bearing on whether or not the theories on the site are accurate. i'm interested in them just for their own sake


I should clarify that I am absolutely fascinated by the science behind this topic as well. I want to understand myself and what makes other people tick (like most everyone here). I believe self awareness is very important individually and socially.

I do not think the knowledge gained from these areas of research is in itself 'good' or 'bad'. The genie is already out of the bottle, so I guess an honest debate is more about how it should be used, which although related, is a separate issue. Perhaps the ethical part would be better served on a philosophy thread than a science one.

Final thought about the ethics involved and I'll shut up: I have concerns about neuromarketing's potential for subversive applications. Short circuiting autonomous decision making (if that truly exists). I worry about the vulnerability of our subconscious if subjected to targeted manipulation.

I must admit , the science part is very cool. The right/left brain theory seems like solid ground. I wonder if the politics could be reversed, say in a socialist country. Thinking in ideological absolutes (left brain) could move a person more to left (politically), could it not? *thinks of sunny, dopamine-charged South America*

[Mr. Beef]

Great!...now all we need to do is make another redundant connection to mbti! Are could J be levt-brained, and P right-brained? Or what about veeling and thinking? hmmmmm....looks like it's up to pseudo-science to save the day.