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Norman Sandridge, Ph.D.'s avatar

Thanks, as always, Colin! Do you think there is, or could become, a way of testing every individual for cortisol and other hormone levels, to determine whether their problem is with attitude or rather crippling stress? It seems like every conversation must start here, right?

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Norman Sandridge, Ph.D.'s avatar

I was not aware but will check this out. Thank you!

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Christian Acker's avatar

Perhaps you are already aware of his research. If not you may be interested.

Last week, I saw Janne Miettinen speak at the Cycles Conference in NYC about hormones like you are suggesting, but in genrational cycles. Janne was previously an interviewee in Strauss and Howe's work. His research has seen hormonal patterns over generations. This, in combination with Haidts work gives more fuel for the nature-nuture conversation. I am not a scientist or familiar with how the hormone levels are tested or recorded, but his research and citations are public and linked below and I found it intriguing.

Here is a conversation Janne had previously with Dr Richard Smith of Foundation for the Study of Cycles, where they speak about the same research he shared at the conference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFqT3qtm6nA&t=4260s

And here is his research:

https://jannemiettinen.fi/FourthTurning/

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J.K. Lund's avatar

We should probably refocus our education systems to teach fewer subjects, but teach them better. Off the cuff, three subjects would seem important:

Numeracy

Literacy

Being Human

That last one would include learning about human cognitive fallacies alongside concepts like those presented here about the locus of control.

Everywhere I look, I see defeated people who have resigned themselves to failure.

You can do something. You can control many things in your life if you have the right attitude.

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