Comments on: Do our genes make us popular? : Scientific American Blog

By: Ron Burkey

Ron Burkey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:22:04 +0000

You and me both, sister. I think individuals are usually interesting, or at least tolerable, but it would be very hard to find a group of more than 4-5 people to which I’d willingly attach myself. But I won’t add your proviso about “not respecting”. If it was a group of the most interesting people in history, and I was invited to one of their gatherings, I probably wouldn’t show up.

By: Dawn Masuoka

Dawn Masuoka — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:56:30 +0000

LOL Initially I was good with it being a DNA stamp.

I’d rather be known amongst a few people I find interesting than a mass group I don’t respect or find remotely interesting.

By: Ron Burkey

Ron Burkey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:48:35 +0000

I’ll share … then I’ll go away: You’re absolutely right. The popularized claims are probably exaggerated over what the original paper said. But in my case, I’m willing to blame my genes for my unpopularity.

By: Dawn Masuoka

Dawn Masuoka — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Is there something to this or is it total bs? I think to a degree it’s genetics- ie physical features which in turn determine to an extent how you’re approached by others in a social circle. That in itself can assist in social behaviors and how you are received and how you react to others. Another determining factor is upbringing… moving around verses having a stable early existence. Abuse vs. nurture. Isolation vs. introduction to a large group of playmates. I would have to look more closely at this study, the finding and extend of the research involved, but I think there are too many variables for them to make such a claim in Scientific American.

DNA or environment? I think the latter. My time was wasted- I wanted to share