Questions for our American friends

[Roubignol]

Originally Posted by Dr Pepper

I hold a PhD in biochemistry-don't presume to lecture me on genetics!! I was doing the sorts of sequence maps you posted three decades ago-the hard way-before automated machines took over (and incidentally revolutionised human genetics in the process!)

I'd no idea that you had a PhD in biochemistry.
How was my little lecture?

Originally Posted by Dr Pepper

Yet you persist in claiming that somewhere in China there could be someone with more in common than with me than my own brother? Pleasesse! The formative influences are entirely different-and even with my own siblings there are differences-yet somehow lacking any common genetic, familial or environmental/cultural/upbringing someone can exist in China who is more alike in thought, opinion and attitude than my closest living relatives?

I never said "more in common", I wrote:

Originally Posted by xyzde69

But we can share more OPINIONS with a randomly selected Chinese than with our own brother.

As non English speaker and who was not always an applied student in English , I've to admit that I'd have written :"But we COULD share more opinions with...." or "But we MAYBE can share more opinions with ... "

Anyway... I persist.
Several of my opinions changed during my life. I'm sure that's your case too.
I do not agree to put opinions of people into a drawer because these people are native of another country. Opinions may vary during your life, your experiences, your discussions, your readings. Opinions have no borders, no genders, no nationalities.

Why there would have been manifestations of young chinese on the place of Tian'anmen, if all the Chinese had shared the same opinions?

Why the Russian Léon Trotzky had a lot of Occidental supporters?
Why there are communisms or on the contrary liberal countries in Africa?
Why when I look at Japanese or American films, I share the feelings of one of the character?
Why Buddhism is popular among a fringe of the European population?
Why in a family some members convert into another religion?

Do you understand what I mean?

I can share more opinions with someone having another color skin or another nationality than my own brother.
We don't share together this opinion, but I'm sure that I can share it with someone of your tribe!

[Mal Hombre]

That's it,Enough of this subject,It's only of interest to the two of You and tedious to every one else.

[Roubignol]

Originally Posted by Mal Hombre

That's it,Enough of this subject,It's only of interest to the two of You and tedious to every one else.

Ok. Sorry.
Do we have to communicate on this thema in private?

[SanteeFats]

Originally Posted by xyzde69

Ok. Sorry.
Do we have to communicate on this thema in private?

If you choose too but I would just let it go.

[Roubignol]

Why do you want such big cars?

[deepsepia]

Genes-character-disposition
Easy to.get contentious. One of the things I puzzle over, having spent a lot of time in Aus, NZ, and Canada, is the similarities and dissimilarities of Anglo populations

Aussies are very much like white Americans, except much happier. It always intrigued me: same barbecue, same farmer tan, same terrible fried food. Same drinks, even. And queensland is Florida in so many ways.

But happier, more trusting, less bloody minded about fellow citizens

The big differences I saw were race and religion issues, which I think are a lot more salient than genes I determining everyday attitudes towards community.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

Genes-character-disposition
Easy to.get contentious. One of the things I puzzle over, having spent a lot of time in Aus, NZ, and Canada, is the similarities and dissimilarities of Anglo populations

Aussies are very much like white Americans, except much happier. It always intrigued me: same barbecue, same farmer tan, same terrible fried food. Same drinks, even. And queensland is Florida in so many ways.

But happier, more trusting, less bloody minded about fellow citizens

The big differences I saw were race and religion issues, which I think are a lot more salient than genes I determining everyday attitudes towards community.

The original Aussies were rowdy lower class English men and women sent there in an attempt by the British government to keep their working class under control.

The United States was populated by uptight religious fanatics in the North and by upper class adventurers with a sprinkling of lower class convicts in the rest of the colonies. Those in the warmer climes imported slaves, which introduced levels of anxiety, fear and violence which persist to this day. At least that is this Yank's down and dirty explanation.

Originally Posted by xyzde69

Why do you want such big cars?

A) Have you ever driven a muscle car?

B) A lot of us are really fat.

[bombermouse]

Originally Posted by xyzde69

Why do you want such big cars?

I don't and never have.

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by Brian249x

At least that is this Yank's down and dirty explanation.

I agree pretty much -- what it speaks to is that culture and history are a lot more important than genes in shaping the character of a community.

[awboy33]

Originally Posted by xyzde69

Why do you want such big cars?

For some it is truly functionality, but for most it is status. After WW2 when the soldiers came home, it was all about buy a house, buy a car. When everyone had one, how do you begin to distinguish yourself? For many it was more luxury, for others it was more power. Now it is if you cannot afford a luxury car, buy a big SUV and put expensive rims on it. Makes no sense to me. I drive a small pickup. Could afford more but why do I need it.