Written by Jon van Wyk
The question of nature versus nurture is one of the philosophical questions that keeps me up at night. I often wonder if we are just carbon based life forms with some kind of alien pre-programmed genetic code, or are we malleable beings, moulded and shaped by our environment?
Scientists and erstwhile philosophers will invariably point you to studies of twins, where identical siblings raised apart still share unexplainable similarities, despite incongruous environments.
They’ll flummox you with genetic markers and complex algorithms that supposedly predict everything from your musical taste to your penchant for gherkins covered in chocolate. What they tend to forget is that as humans, it’s predominantly in our nature to nurture what is around us, often in very disparate circumstances.
It’s not a simple concept to grasp though, the whole thing is a bit like trying to figure out if baking is more about flour or eggs. Both are essential, but the real magic happens when they mix in a serendipitous way. You can’t have a cake without both, and you can’t have a functioning human without both nature and nurture.
Take Mozart for example, a child born with a natural talent for music – pure genius. Without access to a piano, or a supportive environment however, that talent might never blossomed and the world would be the poorer for it. Alternatively, someone with no inherent musical talent might grow up immersed in music and through sheer determination and rigorous training, become a respectable musician.
What I love about life for all its chaos, is that when you boil everything down, we are all crazy, messed up products of both nature and nature. We’re born with certain predispositions, but our experiences, our families, our cultures, and even our random encounters shape us in far-reaching ways. As a result, our lives become a dynamic dance, a constant interplay between our inner selves and the world around us.
Let the scientists continue their pondering then, I just love the beautiful complexity of it all. Surely we’re not simply products of our genes, nor are we empty vessels waiting to be filled by those around us. We are a unique and ever-evolving combination of both, a delicious, unpredictable ‘cake of nature and nurture.’ As adults we are called to nurture and grow our families and those around us. Surely this is the better part of human nature?
Album of the month
‘Heart’ by Heart – 1985
As the 1980’s reached their peak, the popularity of various styles of music from synth driven dance music to ‘hair metal’ began to wane and falter. Right around this time ‘Heart’ by Heart, released in 1985, bucked this trend and surprised everyone by releasing what was to become a homage to the best of music of the time, not to mention a perfect example of sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson’s enduring song-writing and vocal prowess.
Though noticeably influenced by 80s production and accompanied by slick, now dated music videos, ‘Heart’ is the perfect mix of soaring vocals, driving rhythms, and a raw emotional intensity supported by impeccable musicianship and harmonic magic.
I remember the delight of discovering outstanding hits from the album such as “What about love,” “Alone” and “These Dreams” showcasing the band’s ability to craft made for radio anthems that solidified their connection with a wide cross section of listeners looking for some kind of musical redemption as a new decade loomed ever nearer.
‘Heart’ remains a defining moment in the band’s career, a collection of songs imbued with a rare kind of authenticity that continues to captivate audiences decades after its release. A must listen for fans of synth and guitar-driven power ballads.