Genetic Traits of Dancers

[dancerjodi]

Thanks to Tisana for this http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213183707.htm .

I'm not sure if 85 subjects is a representative enough sample for me, but I like how they compared genetic results to 2 different surveys to corroborate. What a neat concept for a study.

I'm curious how casual dancers would compare to professional ones, or if dancing skill relates to any of it. These things are so subjective and hard to define, so they aren't really things people could measure academically.

Also, it doesn't explain how some dancers (or artists, or musicians) have really crappy attitudes despite their artistic skills (you'd think with improved emotional/spiritual skills they may not be so bitchy). :)

Anyway, its an interesting read.

Comments

[jhimm.livejournal.com]

i suspect the bad attitude stems largely
from the problematic intersection
of the spiritual/social aspects of these chosen lifestyles
and the very practical, fiscal, survival driven aspects
of day to day life.

but that's pure speculation.

my only worry with these kinds of studies,
is heading in the direction of career aptitude testing.
many kids in grade school and high school
are given some kind of test
to help them determine good career choices.
this has all been done in the past
with a fairly arbitrary mix of academic standardized testing
combined with more subjective personality testing.
(aka 'are you smart enough for the job'
mixed with 'do you have the personality for the job'.)

but if we can test people's DNA
to find out what "type" of person they are,
will we eventually see children pressured to the point
where they more or less have no choice
into certain careers based on their DNA data?
not in an institutional, police state way,
but in a familial way
and a guidance counselor kind of way.

genetics and the arts, etc

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"i suspect the bad attitude stems largely from the problematic intersection of the spiritual/social aspects of these chosen lifestyles and the very practical, fiscal, survival driven aspects of day to day life."

Though, that wouldn't apply to people who aren't adults and don't have to worry too much about fiscal/survival, or to people who are are amateurs (though still quite skilled) as it would to the degree that working performers would be impacted. There are bitchy and mean people all over the place, there just seem to be more of them in the arts (which is what I was thinking of) despite a supposed genetic strength at being emotional or spiritual. Of course, emotional not always = good or peaceful or friendly - though seretonin normally is (what they are referring to in this study). OK, I'm just talking my self in circles now. :)

"but if we can test people's DNA
to find out what "type" of person they are,
will we eventually see children pressured to the point
where they more or less have no choice
into certain careers based on their DNA data?
not in an institutional, police state way,
but in a familial way
and a guidance counselor kind of way."

People are pressured into certain things because of family and guidance counselors already, without the benefit of genetic testing. I'm not sure if increasing testing would impact the degree to which that happens (i.e. if adults are going to limit kids, they are going to do it anyway regardless of the ammo).

As with anything, I think that more information can be helpful while it also creates new moral issues that weren't at play before the technology was available. As with genetic testing that can be done for potential parents, there are issues that can arise from the availability of that kind of information related to the decisions that need to be made based on results. I'm interested in the information, but can see the potential for bad things happening as a result of it. Knowledge is power, and power can be dangerous and all that. Definitely some things to think about as our society seems more dependent on standardized testing . . .

Re: genetics and the arts, etc

[jhimm.livejournal.com]

i guess i worry that DNA "evidence"
would make that familial and guidance counselor pressure "irrefutable".