Many of us have origin stories that shape who we are. Batman became a vigilante after witnessing his parents’ murder, while Wonder Woman’s crime-fighting abilities stem from her supernatural creation and athletic training during childhood. For us mere mortals, our personality traits and interests are often attributed to a combination of nature and nurture. However, recent research suggests that there is another factor at play: randomness.
Chance events that affect nerve cells during brain development have long been overlooked. These random occurrences have the potential to have a significant impact on shaping our identities, potentially equal to or even greater than genetic or environmental factors. This recognition of the role of randomness in shaping who we are should lead us to view ourselves as the product of nature, nurture, and “noise.”
This revelation is not only fascinating for neuroscientists but also holds profound implications for all of us. It means that we can ease up on the anxiety surrounding our parenting choices and perhaps assign less blame to our own parents for our outcomes. Rather than attribute differences in people solely to predetermined factors, such as genetics or upbringing, we need to acknowledge the role of chance events in shaping individuality.
It is important to recognize that our unique identities are not solely a result of nature or nurture, but also the unpredictable elements of life. By considering this interplay, we can gain a deeper understanding of who we are and what shapes us.
