Mark Blumberg Reading
Mark Blumberg discusses his work, Basic Instinct: The Genesis of Behavior. Blumberg, a neuroscientist at the University of Iowa, begins by discussing various popular culture headlines dealing with genetics and the nature vs. nurture debate. Blumberg points out that the language that is being used to discuss genetics has taken on the lingo of creationism: genes are the body’s blueprints and hold great power.
During a question and answer session, Blumberg discusses instincts that are “species specific"--instincts that have played a direct role in the evolution of a certain species. He does go on to point out, however, that these instincts cannot be divorced from the environment of the animal--much of instinct still relies on experience. Blumberg points out that “there is no place in development where genes can be divorced from the environment, the context.”
Blumberg goes on to criticize popular psychologist Steven Pinker. He decries Pinker’s tendency to simplify actions and instincts as being gene-specific, and calls Pinker’s research “bedtime stories for adults.” Blumberg explains the importance of moving away from this “design thinking” and educate the public on the complex subtleties of genetics and instinctual behaviors. Blumberg acknowledges that Pinker’s argument is popular due to its ability to be packaged into soundbites.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Nonfiction
Authors: Mark Blumberg
Date Recorded: November 03, 2005
Works Read: Basic Instinct: The Genesis of Behavior, by Mark S. Blumberg
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: discussion
Contributors: Introduction by host Julie Englander.
Topics: human behavior, instinct, evolution, creationism, genes, Steven Pinker