Who are we???

[chiefMOJOrisin]

The human body is an amazing example of evolution. One large system of systems that systematically work together to keep an incredibly intricate creature alive and running. However debates about human evolution are for another thread.

My focus if the human brain and behaviors. The brain is unbelievably powerful and and actually quite beautiful...in more ways than one. The sheer individuality of personalities throughout the human race is, to me, astonishing. Many animal species have different personalities, especially dogs, cats and apes. However they aren't as advanced as us and obviously do not live their lives anything like humans. It isn't neccesary for apes to be over-diversified past the dominant males. Humans on the other hand live in a world where personalities and interests and ultimately behaviors ae greatly influenced by outside variables.

A 12 year old boy, whos father is a prominent lawyer working for his own father, has been molded and groomed his entire life to be a lawyer life his father and grandfather...... he's 12, he knows whats fun but has no idea who he is. If left to make his own choices he would most likely choose a much different lifestyle if given the oppourtunities. But beyond that...would the boys personality be different?? Would he view the world in a different manner if he lived in a house with drug addicts?? Of course. He may have is own opinions but a childs surroundings when growing up has a great deal to do with the person he/she will become.

Is the human brain hardwired from birth to lead an individual in a certain direction?? Or do tendencies evolve with age and atmosphere? Would Charlie Manson have been the same had he grown up in a mansion and gone to private schools with 2 loving parents and a strong support system??

I've seen shows where people with very high IQ's get a brain scan to later be evaluated by top neurologists and compared with so called 'normal' brains. I think the brains of a serial killer should be scanned and compared. A study should be done where 5 individuals brains are examined by top doctors and technology and compared. Then all given intelligence tests beside the IQ test. Charles Manson, Steven Hawking, Thom York (radiohead), Michael Jordan, and President Bush..... I can only wonder what the results would be.


I've done a small amount of research and from what I could find, the first documented case of a person determined to be a serial killer was in ancient Rome when Emperor Caligula torured and killed many people....simply to incourage his own perversion. But whos to say there wasn't serial killers much earlier?? Human civilization goes back quite some time..... and during that time the human brain couldn't have been much less evolved or more primitive than ours now. That means mental illness must have been around. Schitzophrenia and dimesia could have easily been shrogged off as 'evil' of something similar. I bet there were people who killed for pleasure or other non-materialistic reasons as far back as we go. Surely television didn't lead to that.


I'm not sure what my main point is with all of this. I guess its just me wondering if people are who they are specifically because of their brain or specifically because of surroundings. I know its both genetics and surroundings but going further...not just a general personality, a specific trait. Such as the desire to kill. Or the need to close a door 3 times.