Does Conservatism stifle innovation?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by finnbow

You do realize that the innovation centers in these two states (Denver/Boulder and Northern Virginia) are solidly blue, eh? For that matter, the innovation center of Texas is Austin, is also solidly blue.

Pretty much.

[finnbow]

It has been proven that liberals are more creative than conservatives. Consider the entertainment industry and the arts. How much truly creative stuff is done by conservatives? Not much, it seems.

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot....tive-than.html

“Conservatives could be less creative than liberals because of greater threat-induced anxiety (e.g. finding the ambiguity of creative tasks threatening), their greater inclination to follow convention, and/or their devaluing of imagination.”

[BlueStreak]

Sounds about right.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

You do realize that the innovation centers in these two states (Denver/Boulder and Northern Virginia) are solidly blue, eh? For that matter, the innovation center of Texas is Austin, is also solidly blue.

Denver is more like 50/50. The rich Dems have most of the Moutain resort property in Boulder. Not exactly the tech crowd, more aligned with the resort / tourism industry.

[BlueStreak]

Is electricity still "...the work of the devil"?

How about flying? God obviously didn't want humans to fly, or he would've put wings on our backs....Right?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

Denver is more like 50/50. The rich Dems have most of the Moutain resort property in Boulder. Not exactly the tech crowd, more aligned with the resort / tourism industry.

OK, Whell. Stipulate to me that Palo Alto, Redmond, and Cambridge (all deep blue) are innovative hubs. Provide me 3 equivalent conservative hubs of innovation.

[bobabode]

All that I hear are crickets Pat.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Just a brain fart here. Considering that innovation in modern America is centered in liberal areas (Massachusetts, California, Washington State, Minnesota, Maryland ...), might it be that modern conservatism (resistance to change, anti-science proclivities, ...) inherently stifles innovation? How many drivers of our current technology were invented/developed in the Bible Belt as opposed to places like Palo Alto and Cambridge?

I think it has more to do with where major universities located and the strength of those universities in attracting talent. The technology companies spawned from those universities stayed close. The four biotech areas spring to mind as good examples: SF Bay Area, San Diego, Cambridge, and Raleigh-Durham. Perhaps, it also pays to have good weather and cultural depth to attract leading scientific innovators. There is also a bandwagon effect in attracting talent. Roger Revelle's baby, UCSD, is an excellent example of how to develop a major research institution IMO.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by finnbow

It has been proven that liberals are more creative than conservatives. Consider the entertainment industry and the arts. How much truly creative stuff is done by conservatives? Not much, it seems.

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot....tive-than.html

“Conservatives could be less creative than liberals because of greater threat-induced anxiety (e.g. finding the ambiguity of creative tasks threatening), their greater inclination to follow convention, and/or their devaluing of imagination.”

I have a difficult time giving a study that includes the following much credence:

The content of the students' photos gave some insight into their differing creativity. The 15 most conservative students depicted religious and family values, for example with photos of the bible. The 9 least conservative students, by contrast, tended to use unconventional ways to illustrate their lives. One student photographed a car parking over the line, to portray his disdain for rules.

The subjective judgement of the researcher has far too much influence on the purported conclusion of the study. One could just as well consider the highlighted event as reckless and assert that conservatives are more careful or thoughtful. Come to think of it, I may not mind innovators in math and physics research, but I really don't want too much innovation in bridge building.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by bhunter

I have a difficult time giving a study that includes the following much credence:



The subjective judgement of the researcher has far too much influence on the purported conclusion of the study. One could just as well consider the highlighted event as reckless and assert that conservatives are more careful or thoughtful. Come to think of it, I may not mind innovators in math and physics research, but I really don't want too much innovation in bridge building.

I saw a documentary about a replacement bridge being built and then slid into place on teflon runners. Talk about engineers having a pucker up moment as they demo'd the old and slid the new one into place in one or two days. I was amazed. I like those newish tower cable stay bridges. They look like those old hippie yarn sculptures. Sorry BH I'm just being contrary.