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Discussion and debate aside, there is zero doubt in neurology and psychology that who we our, our personality traits and who we become are a combination of both genetics and environment. In the last 2 decades, twin studies have proven conclusively that our basic personality traits, our basal level of happiness and contentment, our basic sense of drive and determination, the strength of our will and character are largely determined by genes. Babies are not, and never have been "blank slates" as people believed decades ago. In fact, babies are born with insane amount of knowledge of the world around them as well as social skills.
Environment and life experience does not do a great deal to shape personality, but it can play a minor or even major role, depending on ones experience. Living through a war and seeing your communities bombed, friends and neighbors killed would likely have an impact on shaping how your personality develops whereas just living day to day as anyone else, going to school, going home, playing with friends etc etc etc has very little influence.
Psychopathic personality traits as an example, are among the most heritable of mental disorders. Most psychopaths function perfectly well in society and are all around us. Asking if "being psychotic makes you a serial killer" is quite easily answered with a resounding "no", though most serial killers or those who commit seriously violent crimes are psychopaths. Environment plays a role larger than the disorder as they adapt and learn to function perfectly fine... though most would be judged as assholes and not people you'd likely befriend.
My point is that can't simplify things honestly by identifying a single factor and saying "that's it" when its just not factually true and science has shown conclusively for decades now that is clearly not the case. Having opportunity doesn't mean one is more likely to be a businessman as we all have opportunity. Having advantages such as a wealthy family, does not make one more likely to be successful as having those advantages typically correlates to lower drive or perceived need to strive for more. In fact, once a persons basic needs are met (or perceived to be met), they are generally content.
We all have opportunity
We all have a basic genetic wiring to strive for more
We all have different levels of intelligence
We all have different ability (largely by choice)
We don't all "want it" to the same degree
You are all sitting here typing... all presumably self employed. Of all of us, I was probably the only one that was up for until 3am the 4th night in a row working. Not because "i am fortunate enough to have opportunity" but because I have a plan that I have been rigidly following to hit my income goals with PPC. While I creep closer and closer to 6 figures a day again and am surpassing my goals, most are on this forum complaining about the world being unfair.
It's not a coincidence that I do not complain about anything being unfair. It's not a coincidence that I do not blame others. It's not a coincidence that I accept 100% responsibility for myself, my income, my success while others can't stop blaming Reagan or Bush or God or whatever. It's not a coincidence that so many super wealthy people came from complete poverty.
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Yes, fewer illegal immigrants working equates to more job opportunities for American citizens.
Rochard
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