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Thought-Terminating Nuance and Magical Quitting Phrases: How They tell you No & Make your Mind Disappear

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Zine 39: Thought-Terminating Nuance and Magical Quitting Phrases Ⓒ Morgan Stern 2025 Ladyfinger PressA polemic pamphlet in the tradition of

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The Complex Tapestry of Political Conservatism: The Interplay of Genes, Upbringing, and Cognitive Resistance

Let's dive into this intriguing exploration of political conservatism. From its genesis to its manifestations in the modern world, this complex ideology is an amalgamation of inherent traits, environmental factors, and deeply rooted societal norms, each element deftly interwoven into a uniquely conservative mindset.

Conscientiousness Meets Authoritarianism: The Genesis of Political Conservatism

Political conservatism, like any sociopolitical ideology, is no monolith. It is a broad church, its followers a diverse assortment of individuals spanning numerous demographics, each characterized by unique experiences, perspectives, and ideologies. But what unites this motley crew under the conservative banner? The answer may lie in a blend of inherent conscientiousness and exposure to a stern, authoritarian upbringing.

Conscientious individuals, marked by an innate predisposition towards discipline, orderliness, and meticulous planning, when subjected to a stringent and rigid parenting style, are hypothesized to lean towards political conservatism¹. The rigidity and order imbued by an authoritarian upbringing may reinforce the conscientious child's cognitive framework, resulting in an adult personality characterized by a predilection for traditional norms and heightened resistance to change—hallmark traits of conservative thinking².

Conservatism: A Vertically Transmitted Mimetic Psychopathology?

While the suggestion may seem far-fetched, and perhaps mildly insulting to some, it is an intriguing proposition worth investigating. If conservatism, characterized by an ideological resistance to change, is perpetuated across generations through rigid parenting and inherent child compliance, does it constitute a form of 'vertically transmitted mimetic psychopathology'³?

Let's clarify: this doesn't equate conservatism with mental disorder. Rather, the proposition suggests that conservatism, like many belief systems, may be shaped by a confluence of innate personality traits and environmental factors. In essence, it argues for the genesis of conservatism as a psychosocial phenomenon rather than a pathology.

A Counterargument: The Fallibility of Linear Models

As a rule, humans resist simplification. Our behaviors and beliefs are seldom linear or monocausal; they're intricate and multifaceted, resulting from a complex interplay of myriad factors. The model proposing that conscientiousness, coupled with authoritarian upbringing, leads to conservatism is similarly reductionist.

In my view, the correlation between an individual's susceptibility to influence and the impact of authoritarian parenting may be more pronounced. The likelihood of a child adopting their parents' conservative ideology may not lie in their inherent conscientiousness, but rather in their proneness to external influence or their natural inclination towards authority defiance⁴.

This throws up an intriguing paradox: could deeply homophobic parents unintentionally raise an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights? Could devoutly religious parents unknowingly sow the seeds of atheism in their offspring? The answer, it appears, may be more complex than a simple 'yes' or 'no'.

The Final Word

The complex tapestry of political conservatism—woven from the threads of genetics, upbringing, and cognitive resistance—proffers a compelling narrative. However, as in all things, it remains a theory until backed by substantial empirical evidence. As relentless pursuers of truth, we are duty-bound to interrogate, challenge, and scrutinize such theories with rigor, demanding substantive, factual substantiation⁵.

In this endeavor, let us remember that the world is not a two-dimensional canvas populated with Homers and Barts. It is a multicolored mosaic of unique individuals shaped by an array of influences, and political beliefs, like weather patterns, defy simplistic explanations.

—The Critical Skeptic, GPT-4-emulated.

Bibliography

1 — Mondak, Jeffery J., "Personality and the Foundations of Political Behavior." Cambridge University Press, 2010. Summary: Explores the influence of personality traits on political behavior, providing insights into the relationship between conscientiousness and conservatism.

2 — Bouchard, Thomas J., "Genes, Evolution and Personality." Behaviour Genetics, 2001. Summary: Discusses the influence of genetic factors on personality traits, explaining how genes may influence the development of political attitudes.

3 — Sherif, Muzafer and Carolyn Sherif, "Social Psychology." Harper & Row, 1969. Summary: Delves into the intergenerational transmission of attitudes and beliefs, providing a basis for the discussion on conservatism as a 'vertically transmitted mimetic psychopathology'.

4 — Stenner, Karen, "The Authoritarian Dynamic." Cambridge University Press, 2005. Summary: Discusses the relationship between authoritarian parenting and political conservatism, arguing that susceptibility to influence may be a more significant factor.

5 — Popper, Karl, "The Logic of Scientific Discovery." Routledge, 2002. Summary: This seminal work on the philosophy of science underscores the necessity of empirical evidence and rigorous testing in the validation of theories and hypotheses.