Aside from the obvious, several things caught my attention
in this article.
First was the conjecture that some people are “predisposed to hostility”. How so?
Such a “predisposition” might, of course, arise from genetic imprints or
from the environment or from both – TBD.
However, I’m inclined to think, no matter what the genetic imprint
endows, reinforcement or de-inforcement from the environment can have a defining
impact. Thus, whether one does or does
not have an inborn inclination to violence or hostility, a predominating exposure to violence and hostility will either
reinforce or over-ride the original hardware. In the latter case [i.e., with an originally
“non-predisposed” blueprint], a predominating exposure will essentially REWIRE
the workings to create a de facto
“predisposition”.
It turns out that the brain is an exquisitely malleable
organ! Thus, it can be “Post-Disposed”
to whatever it is “fed” or challenged to tackle. From Stanford University, we get this clip:
“ … today we recognize that the brain continues to reorganize
itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This phenomenon, called neuroplasticity, allows the neurons in the brain to
compensate for injury and adjust their activity in response to new situations
or changes in their environment.” http://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/neuroplasticity/
Second, the increased liabilities among this “hostility” group
may not simply be a matter of watching more TV, but a matter of selectively
watching more violent TV. Thus, one can
vicariously identify with superheroes unbounded by social norms. Being, thus, vicariously “licensed” as a
superior being with superior intellect, superior prowess and superior powers, it
“naturally” follows that there are associated immunities which compel and
indemnify higher risk-taking behavior.
“Untouchable” and “immortal” are associated inclinations predisposing
one to hostility and increased risk-taking.
Impulse control in response to the environment is one of the
defining challenges of a nascent and immature mind.
Mental immersion or “trafficking” in the gratuitously
sensual is a “Gateway” pursuit, predisposing one to multiple calamitous
outcomes.
With reinforcement of such immersion, increasingly permanent
tracks are etched in the brain which cannot easily be “pruned”. Unfortunately, trash tends to pile up!
“Garbage in, garbage out!”
Information
Technology Axiom
And when the Environmental Services trucks (self-editing, societal disapprobation or professional intervention) are
deterred from clearing it away, it can become an intractable barrier to
progress.
PTSD is a complex mental immersion construct that can rarely be completely undone. But emerging neuroplasticity research, combined with new tools being developed in Virtual Reality, and combined with high intensity exercise regimens, may bring new promising possibilities.
Mind-altering drugs modulate multiple levels of
“neuroplasticity” – both chemical (via neurotransmitter mimicking or
antagonism, including hypersensitization and desensitization/tachyphylaxis),
and biological (carving out alternative neuronal “tracks”). Provocative/violent movies, video games and
TV can, similarly, be categorized as “virtual pharmacologics”. Trafficking in child pornography on the
internet is a massively expanding public health concern.
Diet is one of the most diverse sources of brain-body
interaction that can dramatically affect brain function. While a highly selective “Blood-Brain
Barrier” exists to protect – generally – against toxicities and inflammation,
biologic mimetics and hyper-or hypo-physiologic signaling can cause major
havoc, leading to degenerative changes, dependencies and addictions.
Thus, “neuroplasticity” runs both ways: Optimal conditions can enhance neuronal
capacity and trafficking, whereas sub-optimal or toxic conditions (perhaps
including stress?) can limit or diminish or derange capacity. We’re still stuck with greater or lesser
modulations in our fundamental biology. (While
some claim IQ can be affected to modest degrees, nobody has yet figured out how
to make us all geniuses – I’m still anxiously waiting!)
Finally, while all may not be lost in sub-lethal traumatic
brain injury, the recovery of completely “normal” function in such cases – or following
years of abuse or neglect – becomes less likely with time. “Scarring”, both chemical, biological and
psychological, can impose severe limitations on functional recovery/restoration.
Every moment we’re making judgment calls. “This is OK.” “This is NOT OK.” “Do THIS, not THAT.” “I can do better.” “Time is slipping away.” “I can’t be bothered.” “I HAVE TO be bothered!” Better judgment calls come from experience in
making better judgment calls.
Summation: Whatever
we are predisposed – or become “post-disposed” – to be, do or pursue, we are
built with an amazing capacity to survive.
Whether one is inclined to believe that capacity is bestowed by a
creative Power of the universe or by “Survival of the Fittest” emergence from
astronomical dust, the capacity is awesome.
However, that capacity can be compromised or violated in many different
ways. But it can also be expanded. How we do our “Mind Minding” in the 21st
Century will become increasingly critical.
The top 350 million “fittest” out of a world population of 7 billion
will be positioned not only to survive but to thrive. The rest will increasingly and unnecessarily
struggle – mostly because of neglected or abused “Mind Minding”. Quartermaster
“Binge-O-Meter” Point
to Ponder
“After analyzing
viewing habits for more than 100 serialized TV shows, Netflix found that some
genres are fully consumed – a season watched from start to finish – faster than
others. Fast-paced, twisty thrillers and
horror shows like Breaking Bad hook
viewers for 2 ½ hours a day, on average.”
[TIME, June 27, 2016, p. 23]
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