Stipulating what a "liberal mind is" do you think having one is genetic? And/or learned. And

[Laura PourMeADrink]

can we ever actually steer someone toward liberal minded thinking? Only with an extraordinary leader?

I don't know if I was born with it or if it was my parents but from my earliest memory all I knew was to side with the underdog no matter what, to side with truth, justice. But, maybe many of us grew to be that way on their own?

There were no executions in the United States between 1967 and 1977. Which leads me to think a liberal mind must be learned because so many today lose not a tear and say "fry them."

[virtualobserver]

1. I believe that there is a continuum

My opinions are shaped by reading George Lakoff

From memory, He seemed to believe that there were conservative minds and liberal minds, but there were a large number of people who were between the two.....and that they could be influenced in either direction to varying degrees.

He believes that conservative or liberal framing of issues could sway those center people.

My parents were conservative, but none of the conservative ideas stuck with me.....as I became an adult I became more and more liberal.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. That makes total sense. Why do I always think that IQ plays a role?

And isn't that what "What about Kansas" concluded? That the Joe Sixpacks resented those that thought they were more intelligent?

If we mature according to plan, we test what our parents teach us and alter our thinking accordingly.

[virtualobserver]

12. It is hard to have a discussion with conservatives when you lead with "IQ" as a factor, LOL....

but I think it is.

One of the points that Lakoff makes is that when we use Republican framing like "tax relief", even if it is a tax cut for the middle class, we are signaling to the conservative side of the middle brains, that taxation is BAD and you need relief from it.

"Welfare reform" is similar.....there is something wrong with welfare and it must be reformed.

Republicans have mastered their manipulation through efforts from people like Newt Gingrich and Frank Luntz.

Lakoff has not been as well received in Democratic circles....not rejected exactly, but not embraced.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. We should start with something simple...one thing. And, come up with some meme - something !

The endless "We will not stoop to their game! " Is absurd !

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I knew I read an article about this...

http://www.salon.com/2016/06/06/study_liberals_and_conservatives_have_different_brain_structures_partner/

[KTM]

3. I think its both nature and nurture

Maybe there is some predisposition, I dunno... but I think if we had a nationwide campaign and effort to "Teach Empathy" we would see some change. Some kids dont learn empathy at home... if it were up to me, it would be taught in mandatory classes in both elementary and high school.

A lot of conservatives just dont "get it" until they have a direct experience... until someone of a different culture has a direct impact on their lives, then we see them willing to allow some change. I think lefties are better able to see the world through someone elses eyes and feel the world through someone elses pain, which makes us more likely to get behind more inclusive and supportive policies and to be more tolerant of different groups. Teaching empathy would help build more flexible minds.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. Interesting. I am now living in a deep red place. And the people I know would certainly help

someone - if they knew them - if they felt the person hadn't "bilked" the system or were openly lazy. Or if they were connected to a "good" family and there were extenuating circumstances. And it all seems so LOCAL. I love my illegal, loyal, part-of-the-family farmworker. But, do I want a total ban on people coming into the US - YES !!!

I didn't know you could teach empathy ! I am 100% for that

[elleng]

4. Family as Metaphor for Politics: George Lakoff

Metaphor, Morality, and Politics,
Or, Why Conservatives Have Left Liberals In the Dust

https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1996286

[Shandris]

5. Genetic? No. Learned? Yes. Forced? Nudged, but only if they are still curious by nature.

If the curiosity has been burnt out of them already (one the school system's primary tasks), then no, we can't force/nudge them at all.

I definitely wasn't raised with this mind, and I struggled VERY hard to undo decades of fundamentalist programming. I STILL have to fight it, almost every day, even though my entire life is counter to it. It's just that potent. But my natural refusal to accept an answer just because some person said it led me to keep searching, and here I am.

[sharedvalues]

7. Both nature and nurture.

But you have captured the liberal mind:

"side with the underdog no matter what, to side with truth, justice."

nice

[DefenseLawyer]

8. I find the comparison of chimps and bonobos to be facinating

We're related to both but chimps are patriarchal, selfish and brutal, while bonobos are matriarchal, communal and peaceful. I think a lot of our personality is hard wired, and some of us seem more chimp-like than others, but I am obviously no expert.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Perhaps it is meant to be -- the yin an yang of it all. The struggle.

[BigmanPigman]

10. If it IS gentic I have my grandparents and parents to thank.

And the next generation is already thanking us by continuing the family tradition or our DNA.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. Out of curiosity...what part of the world did your ancestors come from? I watched the last Michael

Moore film and I found it so curious - in a Scandinavian country - think Denmark? *I should stop and look it up.... the prison system is all about rehabilitation and there are no fences. And, in the schools, there are no tests.

[BigmanPigman]

14. We are Italian immigrants from around 1900 when a lot of Irish and Italians came to the East Coast.

Since you mentioned Scandinavia I saw a 15 min special mini film from the 1950's on TCM two weeks ago(due to the timing I thought maybe Ben Mankiewicz had a hand in the programming). The entire film was about how happy and healthy they were since the government took good care of them from pre-natal care, through schooling, work, health care, and retirement mainly run through socialized government programs. It could've been filmed today. Too bad we can't learn from their system which has apparently worked well for its citizens for a long time.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Interesting. Here's the clip on education - Michael Moore on Finland