The Incredible Discoveries of Ian J. Spector

“The pattern of results is consistent with findings for other complex traits. First, the estimated fraction of phenotypic variation that could, in principle, be explained by dense SNP arrays is around one-half of the narrow heritability estimated using twin and family samples. The molecular-genetic–based heritability estimates, therefore, partially corroborate evidence of significant heritability from behavior genetic studies. Second, our analyses suggest that these traits have a polygenic architecture, with the heritable variation explained by many genes with small effects. Our results suggest that most published genetic association studies with economic and political traits are dramatically underpowered, which implies a high false discovery rate. These results convey a cautionary message for whether, how, and how soon molecular genetic data can contribute to, and potentially transform, research in social science.”

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Pretty cool report from the Pew Research Center Project for Excellence in Journalism (PDF)

Byron (Low Tax) Looper (born Byron Anthony Looper on September 15, 1964), is a former Republican politician in Tennessee. In order to advance his political career, he legally changed his middle name from ‘Anthony’ to “Low Tax”. After being convicted for the October 1998 murder of his election opponent, incumbent Tennessee State Senator Tommy Burks, he is now serving a life sentence in Tennessee state prison.”