I occasionally recommend a book I’ve read, but this is not
one of those occasions. John Bargh, PhD,
latest effort is ‘Before You Know It /The unconscious reasons we do what we do.’ Well, I got through about 50 pages or
so. The introduction was rather
interesting. Then…
Maybe, I’m overly sensitive.
But, Bargh quickly launched into his half-baked assertion that liberals
are genetically programed to be more unafraid, (courageous) if you will, than
those who are more politically inclined to be conservative. He has based his findings on a dubious lab
experiment involving volunteers, presumably college students, who were asked to
imagine they had super-powers which precluded them from harm. I know, it does sound silly. It is.
It’s ridiculous.
The immediate
question that came to my mind was: Dr.
Bargh, in your whole life, and as a self-avowed political liberal, what have
you ever done that was the least bit courageous?
Some quotes regarding his experiences:
“New York was overwhelming to me: so many people, so much traffic, so much
going on to pay attention to.” “One
morning, I stepped out of my office building, wended my way through the crowds
on the street, looking in every direction at street crossings…” “… often needed to react to dangerous situations
immediately.” “I benefited from these
unconscious skills firsthand when I stepped off a curb on the way back to my
apartment, and was nearly hit by a bicycle whizzing the wrong way down that one
way street.” “Reflexive, automatic
mechanisms (or instincts) for physical safety had protected me…”
Yes, indeed, this guy knows about dangerous
situations and courage. My gosh, he
could have been hit by a bicycle.
Well, I don’t have a PhD.
Although, I have experienced danger and have witnessed first-hand what I
consider to be real courage. And, I do have
my life experiences to draw upon – not merely some lab experiment involving confused,
immature college kids.
Furthermore, my son has spent a career in military ‘Special
Ops.’ And, I’ve met several of his
friends in like capacity. They know
danger, of that I can assure you.
Isn’t it interesting that those in law enforcement and those
in the military who have faced actual, life-threatening danger and incredible sacrifice
are, for the most part, politically conservative? If, in some way, these particular individuals
can appear occasionally wary or guarded, isn’t it possible that they know more
about potential danger than some college student.
And, isn’t it possible that these same
individuals, upon dodging a bicycle would not even give it a second thought? Much less include in their memoirs.
True Nelson
