No one knows what the nongenetic causes of individuality are. Perhaps people are shaped by modifications of genes that take place after conception, or by haphazard fluctuations in the chemical soup in the womb or the wiring up of the brain or the expression of the genes themselves.
Steven PinkerDominance in an adaptation to anarchy and it serves no purpose in a society that has undergone a civilising process or in an international system regulated by agreements and norms. Anything that deflates the concept of dominance is likely to drive down the frequency of fights between individuals and wars.
Steven PinkerWords let us say the things we want to say and also things we would be better off not having said. They let us know the things we need to know, and also things we wish we didn't.
Steven PinkerDear White Fella When I am born Iโm black When I grow up Iโm black When I am sick Iโm black When I go out ina sun Iโm black When I git cold Iโm black When I git scared Iโm black And when I die Iโm still black. But you white fella When youโre born youโre pink When you grow up youโre white When you git sick youโre green When you go out ina sun you go red When you git cold you go blue When you git scared youโre yellow And when you die youโre grey And you got the cheek to call me coloured?
Steven Pinker