Equality
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Rooting for the little guy ... even when he isn't you.
Robin Hood: He really knew his neurology!
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Researchers from Caltech and Ireland's Trinity College recently showed, quite literally, that the human brain hates fiscal inequality.
They put volunteers in MRI machines, then presented them with money-transfer scenarios. They'd be told, for instance, that they were getting $30, while another person got $10. Or they might get $5 and another person $50.
The twist? Half were given an "endowment" of $50 to start; the other half, nada.
As each volunteer considered these scenarios, the researchers watched their brains' reward centers. Brains of folks who started out poor got excited when told they'd receive big bucks; they didn't really care what anyone else got.
But the subjects who started rich? Had a stronger reaction when other people got a wad of cash than when they got their own.
Seems we're not just selfish beasts. Our brains, at least, like to see the little guy get ahead.
Right. Try telling that to the goons at the IRS. Just kiddin' auditors! Love ya! And there's a tip in there for you. Enjoy.
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