3 ms·

R Douglas Fields grossly misinterprets how much people are exposed to influences their behavior. "Something like 90 percent of the people in prison for violent

by cpdean 11y ago

R Douglas Fields grossly misinterprets how much people are exposed to influences their behavior. "Something like 90 percent of the people in prison for violent crimes are men." Something about all these people make them terrible humans, but it's not an adrenaline response. He's belittling all the social problems in his book by attributing them to neurological reflexes.

zzalpha 11y ago
Not at all. He's saying that what likely landed many, though probably not all, of them in jail ("snapping") has its basis in neurology, but flat out states that that response is due to numerous outside triggers, including things like stress, and that our responses to those triggers are something we can control once we recognize they're pressing these deeply wired buttons. That said, I do agree, the story as told here is still a bit black and white for my taste. For me it was the heroism angle that threw me... E.g., maybe the majority of decorated vets are men because, until recently, only men were eligible for combat roles.
- colomon 11y ago
  He talks about the Carnegie Award for Heroism, which is for civilians: http://www.carnegiehero.org/ http://www.carnegiehero.org/
  - metasean 11y ago
    Interesting that the the "Deed of Trust" starts off, > Gentlemen The first paragraph goes on to talk about supporting widows and children. Thankfully the paragraph does end with, "Grants of sums of money may also be made to heroes or heroines as the Commission thinks advisable-each case to be judged on its merits." But by the third paragraph, it's back to "A medal shall be given to the hero, or widow, or next of kin ..." I'm sure that language doesn't bias anyone on the Commission. [1] http://www.carnegiehero.org/deed-of-trust/ http://www.carnegiehero.org/deed-of-trust/
  - zzalpha 11y ago
    Ah, I stand corrected! That's definitely more interesting... begs the question if there's bias in handing out the award, of course, but...
theworstshill 11y ago
At most its 50% environment, 50% genetic. Its really all about what degree of self control you have. Of course I agree with you in an instant that a poor, less educated society tends to be more violent but environment never paints the whole story.
astrodust 11y ago
I do wonder if incarceration rates are different because women are treated differently at trial for violent offences. It's certainly not the only factor, but it could skew things even further than they would otherwise be. Is it presumed that women are unlikely to reoffend where men are assumed to be likely to? It's like how it's difficult to get female abusers prosecuted for just about anything, including rape or spousal abuse. There's some kind of bias here.

by cpdean 11y ago

zzalpha 11y ago

Not at all. He's saying that what likely landed many, though probably not all, of them in jail ("snapping") has its basis in neurology, but flat out states that that response is due to numerous outside triggers, including things like stress, and that our responses to those triggers are something we can control once we recognize they're pressing these deeply wired buttons. That said, I do agree, the story as told here is still a bit black and white for my taste. For me it was the heroism angle that threw me... E.g., maybe the majority of decorated vets are men because, until recently, only men were eligible for combat roles.

colomon 11y ago
He talks about the Carnegie Award for Heroism, which is for civilians: http://www.carnegiehero.org/ http://www.carnegiehero.org/
- metasean 11y ago
  Interesting that the the "Deed of Trust" starts off, > Gentlemen The first paragraph goes on to talk about supporting widows and children. Thankfully the paragraph does end with, "Grants of sums of money may also be made to heroes or heroines as the Commission thinks advisable-each case to be judged on its merits." But by the third paragraph, it's back to "A medal shall be given to the hero, or widow, or next of kin ..." I'm sure that language doesn't bias anyone on the Commission. [1] http://www.carnegiehero.org/deed-of-trust/ http://www.carnegiehero.org/deed-of-trust/
- zzalpha 11y ago
  Ah, I stand corrected! That's definitely more interesting... begs the question if there's bias in handing out the award, of course, but...

theworstshill 11y ago

At most its 50% environment, 50% genetic. Its really all about what degree of self control you have. Of course I agree with you in an instant that a poor, less educated society tends to be more violent but environment never paints the whole story.

astrodust 11y ago

I do wonder if incarceration rates are different because women are treated differently at trial for violent offences. It's certainly not the only factor, but it could skew things even further than they would otherwise be. Is it presumed that women are unlikely to reoffend where men are assumed to be likely to? It's like how it's difficult to get female abusers prosecuted for just about anything, including rape or spousal abuse. There's some kind of bias here.