August 13, 2004
DID THEY CONVERT TO CALVINISM TOO?:
Scientists Create Hardworking Monkeys by Blocking Gene (Scotsman, 12 Aug 2004)
Lazy monkeys became workaholics when scientists blocked a key chemical in their brains, it emerged today.Researchers in the US found that when they stopped the primates’ brain cells from receiving dopamine the animals worked harder with better results....
“Like many of us, monkeys normally slack off initially in working toward a distant goal,” said lead scientist Barry Richmond of the National Institute of Mental Health.
But when dopamine was blocked they became “extreme workaholics”....
“The gene knockdown triggered a remarkable transformation in the simian work ethic."
I always knew the advance of knowledge would bring an end to the welfare state. Posted by Paul Jaminet at August 13, 2004 9:35 AM
Maybe, but there are always downsides. I hear their wives are now complaining they never take them anywhere or remember their birthdays anymore.
Posted by: Peter B at August 13, 2004 10:23 AMYeah, but you just know that now we're going to have commissions and studies and the like that will determine that X is the proper amount of work to be done. And it should be payed at Y.
And I'm certain that my X is going to be found far below the approved evel. Never mind the Y.
Posted by: John at August 13, 2004 10:24 AMHmmm...dopamine is the primary reward neurotransmitters in the brain. Amphetamine also increases the release of dopamine (and blocks its reuptake), leading to transiently increased dopaminergic transmission - which then increases the work ethic as well, at least for awhile. So both increased and decreased dopaminergic transmission fuel increased work?
Posted by: Bruce Cleaver at August 13, 2004 10:31 AM"But rather than planning to create a future generation of super-workers, Dr Richmond said the new research could be used to study mental illness."
Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.
What kind of work do monkeys do? Besides typing, I mean.
Posted by: Robert Duquette at August 13, 2004 10:44 AMWell, there's the whole ape plot to take over the world. Let me tell ya, we don't want monkeys and apes any more hard working than they already are.
Posted by: Governor Breck at August 13, 2004 11:31 AMGet your hands off of me you damned dirty ape!
Posted by: Brandon at August 13, 2004 11:37 AM"Perverted scientists who advance an insidious theory called ... work!"
Posted by: John Barrett Jr. at August 13, 2004 11:55 AMVitamin W!
Posted by: RoboDruid at August 13, 2004 12:13 PMOld news. About 20 years ago, there was a therapist who claimed he could fairly easily convert alcoholics into workaholics. I forget the details, but our paper published a story on the theory.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at August 13, 2004 1:50 PMHarry, as oj often says, all news is old news.
Posted by: Uncle Bill at August 13, 2004 5:37 PM