Recent research suggests that the contemporary personality traits observed in East Asian cultures may have roots dating back to the Ice Age in Siberia, approximately 20,000 years ago. This theory ties together historical environmental factors and ancestral survival strategies that could have influenced cognitive developments. However, the study has faced criticism, particularly related to concepts of environmental determinism and the potential implications of racial or cultural differences in cognitive abilities. The current academic climate appears to be resistant to exploring these notions, with comments from rejected PhD applicants highlighting the challenges of navigating politically sensitive horizons in academia.