We like to talk of DNA only in the biological sciences

[nadinbrzezinski]

why? Well it makes sense... and that is what DNA is... a biological entity.

That said, I think nations have a NATIONAL CULTURAL DNA... These are the traits that are common to the culture, and attitudes that go back a LONG Time.

The US has a definite DNA. Why in the US things like nationalizations are such taboos, as well as an expansion of the commons is so damn difficult. Or why our Unions have become such a conservative set of organizations, or why we cannot get "class consciousness."

We have a caste society. That is the truth. But just mentioning this is taboo, because of the national foundational myths. We really need to think how to BREAK some of our social DNA and evolve, or face a crisis like this country has not faced in over sixty years.

[Chulanowa]

1. There's actually a term for that

Memes. It means more than lolcats and going over 9000.

[WingDinger]

2. That is some dangerous @!$# there. Repubs say that our national DNA is rightwing

talkingpoints of Reagan blowing smoke up our asses. They will surely unleash the national scold of poor and suffering wastrils, PALIN. And she will tell us that starvation builds character. SS takes away your God given dignity. We are a cowboy DNA, blah friggin blah.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Saying that somethings are don't mean they are correct

but the attitude regarding the poor, for example, goes all the way to the deserving poor of the home country. And this includes the badging... we do this with food stamps, less obvious, but we still do.

And no the country is not right wing. If you could make an argument the country is somewhere between center to slightly left libertarian. (Yes not all Libertarians are right wing, which I know it comes as a shock to people)

But if you are going to change any society and EVOLVE, you first need to know where things come from... and then CHANGE THEM.

[valerief]

4. We need to evolve. nt