Comments on: You can learn to be nice

By: Stephanie Z

Stephanie Z — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:17:06 +0000

I’m not really sure what effect they’re showing either, except that people can tell when they are feeling empathetic. “How deep into the meditative state were you, now that you know how you reacted?” I really wanted to know more about the sound set they were using, but that reference article isn’t open.I’d have also liked disclosure that one of the authors (Davidson) meditates in the tradition used in the study. I only found that out when I went looking for an article I’d seen a couple years ago about side effects of meditation.http://www.thehumanist.org/humanist/MaryGarden.htmlIronically, the Humanist article suggests there are lasting (negative) effects of meditation for some people, but the study was quiet on the subject. Unless it was buried in jargon and I missed it, the authors didn’t discuss any differences between experts and novices in reactions in the rest state. Although they pointed out that experts had greater cortical thickness, they didn’t show that it was used outside of meditation. Not very useful. Really, how often does one interact with others and meditate at the same time?

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:31:06 +0000

As I say in my commentary, I’m not sure what to make of this particular paper. I am not a woo guy. However, I am fully prepared to accept evidence that mental state can be self-controlled or altered through meditation, and can result in measurable effects. The effects described here are pretty ordinary. My difficulty here is really just that they have not ruled out effect that are not empathetic … such as increased sensitivity to noise, that sort of thing.

By: Christie

Christie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:07:47 +0000

Meditation in a general sense is one of those few things that I’ve had trouble dismissing as ‘woo.’ I’m sure it’s hard to study empirically (though it sounds like folks are taking a stab at it with imaging technology) but specific meditation practices have helped me feel better (more patient, less quick to anger, and yes, more compassionate and able to consider another’s POV) both short- and long-term. I would love to see more work done on discovering the neurological basis (if there is any) for any measurable benefits (if there are any.) It’s something I’ve been meaning to look up for a while, to see what’s already available on the subject. Thanks for the post.

By: the real Randal P. M'CMurFy

the real Randal P. M'CMurFy — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:59:24 +0000

Great idea, now where do I get MY lobotomy?seriously though, it is a ‘nice’ idea–so you are vindicated for the rest of the day! Now go take out an ATM, or rob an ol’lady….

By: Val

Val — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:42:42 +0000

there isn’t much to this article that would interest a scientist, its just another piece of propaganda

By: PoxyHowzes

PoxyHowzes — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:58:14 +0000

Wouldn’t it be interesting to compare the rates at which people can learn to be nice with the rates at which gays can “learn” not to be homosexual? At the very least, it might give us some guidance on which group can most benefit from the therapeutic resources.”OK, Rev. Haggard, you’re scheduled for 2 months of “nice” camp…”