# Race & Genetics -- What the fuck is so hard to grasp? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 23, 2001, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586 "2001-02-23T12:31:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/41 "2001-02-26T12:41:58Z")
Collounsbury: C’mon now - Deep, soothing breaths 😉 . And do keep up the good work. If you can do it without your head exploding 😃 . - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![berdollos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@berdollos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/berdollos)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/42 "2001-02-26T14:38:38Z")
It would seem to me that those with facts and rationality on their side would not have to resort to name-calling and vituperative vebiage. Why the nastiness? Are you trying to indimidate those whom you have not convinced by the logic of your points of view? The out-of-Africa hypothesis is well-regarded. It indicates that the gene pool within Africa is quite varied, but other racial groups are very similar genetically. In fact, all humans are very similar - with a 99.99% overlap in genetic material. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/43 "2001-02-26T16:24:38Z")
Berdollos old boy I assume you’re talking about me. Well come on out and say so. In any case, if folks would listen and address the argument, rather than repeating idiotic prattle then I wouldn’t have to get mean. Intimidation? Bother, I threaten no one, I simply blow off a little steam bec. I have no tolerance for stupidity. Now, you may not like it, but I really don’t give a fuck. Now, anyone can see from the body of my posting that I address with all due respect rational arguments which address the data and facts. I treat with contempt people who willfully ignore the data, obscure the facts and spread ignorance. You can write that off to me being a bad person if you like, I don’t care. But you’d should deal with the data, which by now is readily accessible through the links etc. Now, your last comment is obscure to me, are you saying there is genetic coherence by racial group. If so, I do hope you have something to support the position. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/44 "2001-02-28T03:41:13Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by hapaXL \* > But most people’s reaction to reading something that \*\* exactly contradicts_\* their dearly-held beliefs (race is all-important vs. race doesn’t exist) is to dismiss it. It’s too much to take or tackle, I suppose.\*\* The technical term is [“cognitive dissonance.”](http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/9/0,5716,25059+1+24662,00.html) I think that explains most of the trouble **Collounsbury** ’s readers are having. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/45 "2001-02-28T04:16:16Z")
Collounsbury, edwino, tomndebb, and Gaspode, I’ve enjoyed reading your posts to various race threads even though I haven’t been participating. I’ve really learned a lot more about the issue from your participation. I’d guess that you just see the punching bag-like behavior of a few skels who can’t get the notion that if they want to discuss the issue, every once in a while they’ll have to wrap their minds around a fact or two. I can understand your frustration, but I greatly appreciate your efforts, especially in the face of it. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/46 "2001-03-01T01:00:51Z")
I might also point out that most people are able to handle genetics when you’re talking about it in general. But when you talk about human genetics, you’re talking about THEM. It’s personal. Many people don’t like being reminded that we’re just apes with really big brains. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586/47 "2001-03-01T07:42:16Z")
Revision: Just big apes with big brains and 24/7 sex drives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-genetics-what-the-fuck-is-so-hard-to-grasp/55586.md?page=2)