Waiting,
On the self esteem thread you brought up some psych. stuff, which I did not comment on, because the discussion took a different direction, so let me refer to my notes and I will put some reply stuff.
Blank slate at birth: Used to be the prevailing thought but it is now known theat we are prewired to be receptive to certain kinds of learning. It is even known that some learning goes on in the womb. Now, isn't that something! However, that doesn't change the fact that our envirnement in the first few years of our lives is very important in our later developement. An impoverished physical or emotional environement can have far reaching effects. The person may have some recovery, but the negatives may not be totally reversible. I would say that the later in childhood that we experience trauma, the more likely it is that we can recover.
Genetics: you mentioned some examples, shyness, IQ, sense of humor, artistic talent, and of course there other traits or conditions that can be inherited.
I will just talk about one at this point. Jerome Kagan conducted a study that showed that about 10% of children are born shy. He concludes that parents should be aware of this and not force or shame a child into being aggresive and bold. If shyness causes a child some problems, a parent can help that child change a little bit to cope better with other kids. Likewise, a shy adult can learn to change a bit and overcome problems that shyness causes them. As with any trait, shyness has some advantages, and does not have to be viewed as a weakness.
Well, I was going to write more, but I have go check on the pasta sauce my wife left on the stove for me. She is baby sitting our grandson, and left me to may own devices.