Before I even begin to explain what is widely known by everyone on Earth except for Bill Russell and Randy Horick, I must ask if you have ever watched a women’s basketball game. I don’t mean just passing by it on TV or attending a game because someone asked you to. I mean watching it from start to finish for pure entertainment. But of course, you haven’t, because hardly anybody does! If you have, you should feel unique because you belong to the 1% of the population who does. Now, how can the best WNBA player even be compared to the 10th best NBA player? They are shorter, smaller in mass, less athletic, less strong, and not as fast. This claim of them being fundamentally more sound is ridiculous. The men who play at the collegiate and professional level are not just giant bouncing men. They are trained just as well, if not more, than the women. Bill Russell apparently appreciates the way women play, stating that they are “truer to the game,” which basically means they are slower, weaker, and not as good as male basketball players. I am not only skeptical about Bill Russell’s well-being now, but I also question his basketball IQ. I believe we are influenced by our environment to a certain extent. We start off being shaped by our genes.
Our surroundings provide nourishment for growth, events for experience, parents for guidance, and opportunities for decision-making. Some of these factors are within our control while others are not. Genetic factors determine certain actions like fight or flight responses, whereas mannerisms are acquired characteristics. Both nature and nurture play a significant role in shaping who we are.
Consider the case of identical twins who were separated at birth but still share similarities in their partners’ names, children’s names, and even professions. Whether this is coincidental or not, it highlights the influence of nature on our lives. However, disregarding the impact of the environment or nurture would be naive.
When comparing individuals raised in different cultures, disparities in their development become apparent. Going back to the example of identical twins mentioned earlier – depending on whether one was raised in an inner city or the other in an affluent suburb – they can lead completely different lifestyles. Our interactions with the environment shape our entire lives and profoundly impact us.
One’s identity is shaped by genetics, environment, and personal choices. The ongoing debate on drug addiction centers around its classification as a brain disease. In my opinion, this is apparent because drug addiction alters the structure and function of the brain. While initial drug use may be voluntary for most people, continued misuse can result in changes that impact self-control and decision-making abilities, ultimately leading to physical dependence. These effects pose significant challenges for individuals striving to overcome addiction. Despite the fact that these brain dysfunctions can be caused by an individual’s own actions, they should still be acknowledged as such and those affected should not be disregarded when considering assistance.
Excessive tanning, which can cause skin cancer, is not considered self-inflicted. However, addiction is often treated differently because it is believed that addicts choose to use drugs in order to get high. Nevertheless, this perspective is irrelevant. Similar to chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be effectively managed. It is not uncommon for individuals with chronic conditions to have relapses and return to previous patterns of drug abuse. However, relapse should not be seen as a failure; instead, it suggests that the person may need to resume or adjust their treatment plan or explore alternative options in order to regain control and achieve recovery.
