The Zinnia Seed

The Zinnia Within -- Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
The zinnia is a hearty flower that blossoms throughout the Americas. It grows in a variety of colors and subspecies and is beautiful to behold. One thing that the zinnia doesn't do, no matter the light, fertilizer or water conditions -- it doesn't grow into a snapdragon or a rose. Its genetic code has "foretold" its future -- the only thing that outside variations might do is change the relative size or health of the zinnia. Now, with humans we prefer not to think in such terms; we hold to a concept of free will. The sky is the limit for any human potential -- "My daughter could be the next President. My son could be quarterback for the Cowboys". This is what fuels our dreams and carries us through the day. What many a parent fervently intones is, "I don't want my child to have the crummy life I had...".

Now as advocate for the Devil I have to point out a couple of things. Humans are a sociobiological species much like ants. Ant colonies have a relatively simple labor breakout of soldiers, nurses, farmers and one queen. The individual ant wasn't given lessons or inspirational lectures; its behavior was genetically mapped. It's largely the same with humans, I hate to say. Much is made of India's occupational caste system because it seems inherently unfair and restrictive. In fact, it is restrictive and anti-democratic -- it should be abolished. But when the lines of demarcation are erased, don't be surprised when a lawyer still spawns a lawyer and a plumber spawns a plumber. "Ha!" you say. Abe Lincoln was born to a share cropper and became a lawyer president. How do I reply? I say, give education and economic opportunity to everyone as Lincoln had. How many great emancipators will we get out of that? The pairing of Lincoln's parents probably gave him a genetic 'score' that made him exceptional (note the word exceptional).

Most apples will tumble close to the apple tree. Even when genetic recombination is thrown in, the dice will fall in predictable ways. If for instance your teenage son is shy, geeky and good with numbers the chances are slim that he will throw for the Cowboys or run for President. It by no means limits his success or happiness. He could still be a CIO, head of MIS or marry well. The genes don't say exactly what will happen, they merely give a 95% certainty that some things WON'T happen. The genetic allotment tells us what will happen generally but not specifically.

John Calvin, the 16th century theologian was lambasted in history for talking of Predestination (where God's "elect" were selected prior even to Creation). Calvin got a bum rap in a couple of respects. Predestination was already a well-developed concept before Calvin -- he grappled with issues surrounding it without ever actually being its "champion". Secondly, your genes and chromosomes do predestine you in certain ways. A dog or cat certainly isn't going to pen the Great American Novel. And depending on your social group, and whom you select for a mate, your offspring may have about the same likelihood as our furry friends of writing a good novel. Does this say we should throw in the towel, since every event is foregone? By no means. Your inner zinnia should still be nourished to be the most radiant one possible. And the introduction of new genes from your upcoming marriage could still introduce some Presidential qualities. Al Gore’s daughter could become your in-law. ;-) Various theories in sociology (that deal with labeling and group association) suggest that is also unlikely BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

Sociology takes us into a whole other terrain so let’s stop there. And we’ll embrace the flower within, no matter how pre-programmed it might be.

© 2007 blogSpotter