It was a tremendous thrill for me to have the opportunity to work with Christine Lavin on “Hardwired.” I know that most of you are familiar with Christine Lavin’s music. For those of you who are not, she has released over 20 CDs, and she is an amazingly talented writer and performer. In fact, Christine Lavin was just named the 2009 recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Jamie deRoy & Friends Award, which recognizes outstanding work and dedication to the craft of songwriting. We came to know one another because we’ve both written songs about Pluto—the Christine Lavin funny, hyper-scientific song “Planet X,” and my song with Alex Stangl, “Pluto’s Not a Planet Anymore.” On the strength of Chris’s endorsement, my song was included this year in Neal deGrasse Tyson’s book The Pluto Files, which led, in turn, to the song being played on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” “Hardwired” is an unconventional song. Chris had read about how political ideology is partly influenced by our genes, including by genetically-influenced personality traits. Her thought was that if people could come to realize that our differences are partly biological, then that perhaps would promote dialogue, or at least understanding and tolerance of different points of view. For input on the social science part of this, she solicited feedback from Professor John Alford of Rice University and Professor John Hibbing of the University of Nebraska, and from me. Professors Alford and Hibbing have conducted groundbreaking research on the biological bases of political predispositions, and in my day job I conduct related research on personality and politics. Our final collaborator is Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Gene Weingarten (who is a hilarious writer, and also a wonderfully brutal editor). Since I dabble a bit in writing lyrics, it is especially gratifying for me to have contributed not only guidance on the social science that underlies “Hardwired,” but also a couple of the verses. Christine already has started performing the song as part of her concerts, and it's also receiving some radio play. The performance and production of the song involved an amazing cast: Christine Lavin: guitar, vocal Steve Doyle: bassRobin Batteau: violin, vocalDavid Ippolito: vocalBrian Bauers: producer Recorded at Midtown Sound, NYC, October 1, 2009 Hardwired Christine Lavin, John Alford, John Hibbing, Jeff Mondak & Gene Weingarten Social scientists have been working night and day Checking re-checking re-re-checking DNA After years of research the knowledge they've acquired Has scientists thinking we might just be hard-wired Hard wired to be Liberal with an open trusting mind Hard wired to be Conservative with a different view of mankind If you'll indulge me this simple request Please answers quiz questions from a Left/Right test Fascinating research is being done in the field of political psychology. Here's a five-question quiz for all of us to take to see how we compare to others on the Liberal/Conservative scale. When you score a Liberal point count it on your left hand. When you score a Conservative point, count it on your right. Question #1: Could you slap your father in the face (with his permission) as part of a comedy skit? I said Could you slap your father in the face (with his permission) as part of a comedy skit? How did you answer? Which way did you go? Would such a slap be an unforgiveable blow? For Conservatives slapping dad would cause too much stress (Liberals don't have the same daddy issues I guess) So if you said "Yes I could slap my dad" – more Liberals answered that way so that's a point for your left hand. More Conservatives said, "No, I couldn't slap dad" so if that's how you responded, that's a point for your right hand. O.K., let's try Question #2 And keep in mind who's sitting right next to you Because they'll know if your response is not true After you have answered Question #2 When you go to work in the morning, do you often leave your house or apartment a mess? I said When you go to work in the morning, do you often leave your house or apartment a mess? How did you answer that? which way do you go? Conservatives are tidy, but Liberals. . . no The embarrassing thing is now we all know In whose homes those dust bunnies grow Question #3 Which lesson is more important to teach to children? Kindness or respect? I said Which lesson is more important to teach to children? Kindness or respect? How did you answer that? Which way did you go? In this situation which word is apropos? Liberals choose kindness as a raison detre While Conservatives want respect, you betcha OK here comes question #4 Answer "I Do" or "I Don't" Maybe you'll find this revealing But who knows, maybe you won't Do you get bored debating abstract philosophical ideas and theoretical conundrums? That's right I said Do you get bored debating abstract philosophical ideas and theoretical conundrums? How did you answer that? Not bored at all? If Socrates phoned, would you take the call? The Liberal finds theory fun and amusing But abstract ideas send Conservatives snoozing (If you just fell asleep during that last verse . . . score yourself an extra bonus point . . . on your right hand of course) OK, final question #5 – Think about this carefully for the next 15 seconds - "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" (one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four . . . one thousand fifteen) "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" . . . Which answer is closer to your current thought? A) . . . makes sense . . .OK . . . B) What??? How did you answer? A . . . makes sense . . . OK If you did that's the Conservative Way If you said "What???" that answer conveys your anterior cingulate cortex has a Liberal sway How did you do? How did you score? Anybody score five? Anybody score four? Maybe you're a bit of both sides of the aisle You think you're just one . . . but you're half in denial These tests show our responses come from down deep Hey I know I'm a Liberal even in my sleep But now I know Conservatives prefer honor . . . stability Liberals curiosity, fun, civility Expecting either of us to change is unwise It's like asking us to adjust the color of our eyes I feel more understanding even inspired When I think it could be that we're all . . . Hardwired hardwired hardwired hardwired . . . I am a Liberal I am a Liberal I am a Liberal I am a Liberal . . . I am a Conservative Oh I am a Conservative . . .