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Genetic Reason for Your Gadget Habit

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the well-lookie-there dept.

You can't help it if you need to get the latest gadgets. Well... perhaps it's not quite such a serious medical affliction, but scientists have found a genetic basis for some folks' burning desire to have the latest and greatest. There's even a name for it - neophilia. Apparently, some of us have elevated levels of a cellular enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, and are more in need of stimulation from new things.

3 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. The culture of victimhood by DerekLyons · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So now geeks join the culture of victimhood - "it's not my fault, its my [genes|society|enviroment]!". Congratulations on finally joining the mainstream!

    1. Re:The culture of victimhood by wwest4 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Maybe there's a name to describe predictable knee-jerk reactions.

      Tell me, does your concept of free will allow for constraints? If not, I challenge you to breathe water. And I don't want to hear any crap about how your genetics predispose you to breathing air.

  2. Re:ADD of the new millennium by rtobyr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Perhaps it works the other way around. Children who are spoiled and greedy DEVELOP elevated levels of monoamine oxidase A as a result.