Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

This is obvious. But I do think that the way environment is experienced and interpreted is guided by original personality traits, however it is popular to deny that nature has any effect and nurture is everything. Also have noticed this point of view when it comes to dogs ... especially pit bulls or other violent dogs.



Pit bulls owners offer the follow defenses.

1. I think the dog has a cute name

2. I think the dog is cute

3. The dog doesn't attack me

4. Other dogs also attack people

5. It's the owner's fault for lack of training.

These infuriate me more than anything because they are all invalid. You also can't point this out because it's an emotional subject for them


> it's an emotional subject for them

It really is. It is very bizarre when I see people absolute flip out because someone points out that a dog that was bred to be violent ... actually becomes violent. And of course I know it isn't just pits that will attack (I'm looking at you chihuahuas!) but they combine that instinct with power and size and now you have a real problem.


It's hard for people to understand because it's not all-or-nothing. There are plenty of "bred to be violent" dogs that will go their entire lives without doing so. People see that as proof that there's no increased risk, but that's not how statistics works.


> There are plenty of "bred to be violent" dogs that will go their entire lives without doing so.

Most dogs spend almost their entire lives docile. Those bread to be violent are ones that have high odds of a moment or two of uncontrollable violence.

(And if you look, it's almost always because they have a chihuahua or pinscher ancestor.)


New Scientist had an interesting article recently discussing the role of randomness. The suggestion is that it was more important than environment in defining "you". https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25534050-900-nature-n...




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: