The Blind Side
 

http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

I'm currently reading the book... Can't wait for the movie!!!

Saw the movie the other day and really liked it.

However, it does make one think about the nature vs. nurture discussion.

I am in school currently and most of my professors think it is 50/50.

A neurologist I know, feels nature (biology) is a bigger influence.

I read a NY Times article that says the movie made him think that nurture was a bigger influence.

Perhaps there is no clear cut answer or it really depends on the circumstances.

In this case, we have a healthy individual who was originally in an unhealthy environment. He was very fortunate to have that environment change. And he was very wise to make good choices in his life. And make good use of his new environment. And good use of his time...working very hard.

Perhaps a person could be unhealthy and be in a good environment, but it would make little or no difference. Biology is a VERY powerful force. The will, is a powerful force as well...

As I type this, it occurs to me, that when a person is unwell, if they are given a good environment and medical care as necessary...AND they work hard...perhaps this provides the best hope for a good outcome. It does likely take many steps on many people's parts (ncluding the individual's part) to get the best result. I don't particularly think there are any guarantees though. Kinda like when a physician gives a patient the proper medication and yet he or she passes away. This is a hard pill to swallow.

Anyway...good movie! Worth going!!!

I liked the film, although I found it kind of sappy...but that's okay.
As to the nature vs. nuture debate, we have A LOT of very affluent people in my town, good Christian upbringing, and there have been kids who were caught driving into Chicago to buy heroin to sell out here.
There are drug problems and crime committed by the affluent as well as the poor. I have met some pretty unsavory young people here...the lack of civility and the coldness emitted from them was frightening...
It comes down to many factors, genetics, environment, whether you had an illness that might have altered your brain chemistry...so many things can influence how we turn out...
The Blindside showed how reaching out can transform your own life...at least that's the message I got from the film...:)

Haven't seen this movie....

But anyone here who is interested in nature vs nurture, might enjoy this article:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread113971.html

It is about "orchid children"... those who inherit genes for mental disorders, who can overcome this plan and bloom!