Let there be light!
A recent study has found that brightness levels of lighting in a room
have an effect on emotionality. In a nutshell, brighter light makes individuals
feel emotion more strongly – on both the negative and positive sides of the
spectrum. The researchers offer a very narrow interpretation of their results:
if you want to make a more cool-headed decision, better turn the lights down
(and, if possible, avoid neon lighting). The study, though, may have some
larger implications. There have been similar findings with respect to sunlight
– which could perhaps partly explain why Italians are typically more emotional
and impulsive than Germans.
Montesquieu and other less
enlightened bigots once believed (echoing some ancient theories) that climate
has a direct effect on human character and emotional sensitivity. Now, of
course, such theories are frowned upon because of their disturbing non-liberal implications.
As I have noted before, though, some stereotypes may persist for a reason. And could
be a bit more palatable if we kept in mind that emotional desensitization and
self-restraint may come at a price – as other controversial thinkers like
Nietzsche and Freud pointed out a long time ago (and Montesquieu himself partly
recognized).