Spiders, Maggots, Politics

Perhaps the picture vs. real life is important. Would "liberals" react differently from "conservatives" when presented with a real spider on a face? But such a study won't be done for good reason.

I know that my reactions between a PICTURE of a spider on someone`s face and an actual spider on someone`s face would be different. A picture is a picture no matter what it is a picture of. It`s like the coroners who work on dead bodies: the body is dead, no matter how it looks or what has happened to it. I don`t think this kind of discernment means a corresponding lack of reaction (in the world) to real threats.

THough I have to say that redheaded blue girl makes a very good point!

In instances of strong emotional response, the level of activity and communication with the pre-frontal cortex is dimished. So, as the emotional response increases, rational thought is threatened. This makes sense in the context from which we originated, in other words, from a purely evolutaionary standpoint.. however, when it comes to leading, I'd rather someone who maintains objectivity rather than falls into some primitive cause-effect analysis..

I was born in 1960. I was in college (at a pretty conservative school) during the "Reagan revolution" and bought everything Uncle Ronnie said and believed. And then I really grew up and realized it was all rubbish. I am a staunch liberal now. And I guarantee if you showed me creepy spiders or maggots at any time in my life whether I was conservative or liberal, I'd react with "YUCK!". I strongly suspect this study is total crap.

So are Republicans scaredy pants? BOO!!!!!!

Does not the reaction of ndrock to the picture of OBAMA'S face reinforce the premise of this article?

So before we invaded Iraq, did someone show Bush and Chenney a picture of a spider? It all makes sense now.

I'm disappointed in Newsweek. It's like a conservative set out to prove their hypothesis, and no matter what results were found, they were going to mold into the proof they sought. Such a tiny sample was taken from a very limited demographic! What if conservatives are just wired to blindly react ("ack! spider! kill it quick!") and liberals are wired to think it through before reacting ("is it a dangerous spider? let's find out and then proceed....")?

Just because someone sweats more, it doesn't make them more evolved or intelligent or passionate or competent. Shame on Newsweek, Tony Dokoupil and John Alford.

I'm disappointed in Newsweek. It's like a conservative set out to prove their hypothesis, and no matter what results were found, they were going to mold into the proof they sought. Such a tiny sample was taken from a very limited demographic! What if conservatives are just wired to blindly react ("ack! spider! kill it quick!") and liberals are wired to think it through before reacting ("is it a dangerous spider? let's find out and then proceed....")?

Just because someone sweats more, it doesn't make them more evolved or intelligent or passionate or competent. Shame on Newsweek, Tony Dokoupil and John Alford.

Exuse me? They were photo's! How is a photo of a spider more threatening than a photo of a bunny? When was the last time you were attacted by an angry photo? Besides, I like spiders. My sister had one for 15 years. Do only liberals have pet spiders or snakes?

While the article suggests that ???liberals??? might be in a problematic state for not differentiating their response between a picture of a spider and a bunny I propose an alternative hypothesis. It would seem equally likely that someone not reacting to a picture of a spider viscerally understood that it was just a picture. In short, they did not have a fear response to a truly non-threatening stimulus.

It seems as though this is much more closely tied to environment than nature. The old South Pacific song comes to mine,"you have to be carefully taught." There is something to be said for it being a more intelligent response and one tied to less propaganda to not be scared by a picture of a spider on a face. Watching Fox News all the time or listening to Rush Limbaugh, I am convinced, rots the brain.

Wow, this has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever read from Newsweek. Here's a little piece of information for your writers Newsweek - Conservatives are taught to fear anything that doesn't fit into there paradigm of how thier world should be, hence they take a more drastic and dramatic approach to dealing with unfamiliarities. On the other hand liberals are taught to use there minds (free thinkers) when dealing with unfamiliarities thus there less dramatic and drastic usually. Because most situation don't require such a response. Geez it's not Rocket Science ... as a matter of fact it's simple common sense! ... How about writing something with more thoughtfulness please

This is pretty much the most ignorant reading I've ever read! .... My opinion is that Conservatives are, like your first commenter said, taught to fear the unknown hence they tend to make drastic and more dramatic decisions toward uncomfortable situations. On the other hand Liberals are taught to use thier minds when encountering unusual situations, thus they make more informed decisions. This isn't an attack on either groups just a fact! Actually pretty much common sense ...geez get a life and write a piece that actually makes sense!!!

I totally disagree on this view regarding sensitivity. The gifted intellect is infinitely more sensitive to all stimulli than the average IQ, The gifted are more conscious and more sensitive to the plight of others, animals, all issues, even more sensitive to noise and their environment. The gifted are also most likely to base all issues and cosiderations upon superior logic and reasoning abilities. The hypersensitivity of the gifted also causes them to react to images and emotions with greater pain and emotions.

I am liberal in almost all issues, except a liberal immigratin policy because I always vote for Earth first -- the greater good for Earth, and human hordes are consuming the body of Earth. I follow the policy of thinking globally but acting locally, an old environmental war cry.