USMCHokie Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Simple question...and one that I don't think has really ever been discussed at a fundamental level...
johan Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Because hot chicks are so hot. Duh. Stupid avatar, by the way. 3
Mycteria Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Because of biological predispositions for certain traits that tend to identify genetic health. 2
Author USMCHokie Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 Because of biological predispositions for certain traits that tend to identify genetic health. I don't know if I can buy the biological argument...if it were true, then we'd be heading towards the extinction of physically unattractive people, as they would be evolved out of the gene pool...
Eternal Sunshine Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Simple question...and one that I don't think has really ever been discussed at a fundamental level... Couple of reasons: you want to have sex with physically attractive person, you are seen as more desirable yourself (by you and others) if you manage to land a hottie. Stupid avatar, by the way.
Mycteria Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 I don't know if I can buy the biological argument...if it were true, then we'd be heading towards the extinction of physically unattractive people, as they would be evolved out of the gene pool... I don't follow.
january2011 Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 A mixture of nature and nurture, but mostly nurture in the form of marketing and social conditioning. There has to be some nature involved because we are made up of biological systems whose building blocks were genetic material. But the human condition is very complex, thus the nurture component. 2
Mycteria Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Sorry I misread your post. there are still going to be unattractive people because people tend to marry and reproduce with those are about the same level of attractiveness as they are. Thus, uglier people are still going to procreate. But yeah some of it is also based off of social conditioning.
carhill Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Why do people coo at babies? Nature plus nurture, just as with everything after.
threebyfate Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 'Cause we're all a buncha' robots, programmed to like the same things. 1
Eternal Sunshine Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Why do people coo at babies? Nature plus nurture, just as with everything after. I only coo at my cat. But my cat is very attractive 4
johan Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 I think the answer to the question in the original post is to be found in that tingling feeling you (should) get "down there" when you look at Mycteria's avatar. 1
PhillyDude Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Simple question...and one that I don't think has really ever been discussed at a fundamental level... This question could only come from a unattractive person
threebyfate Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 This question could only come from a unattractive personHe's actually one of the more attractive human specimens on LS. 3
8mia8 Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Attractiveness of anything is desirable; it makes one happy.
MrCastle Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 It's biological Hokester. Also, it's concrete. We process the image with our eyes, it sends the signal to the brain, and the brain says "me likey". It's probably a little more scientific than that but you get the jist. We're wired to want big asses and skinny waists and pretty faces. Well I am, anyway. Because hot chicks are so hot. Duh. Stupid avatar, by the way. **** you Power Rangers are awesome.
GLDheart Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 1. Body/facial symmetry displays great genetic health. (Hmmmm that reminds me... I should totally get motivated to uncover these perfectly symmetrical 8-pack abs of mine that have been hidden dormant under this layer of superfluous cozyness.) 2. An appearance of being physically fit can also appear healthy and strong to both provide and prosper. As well as to pass on said ability. 3. Attractive fashion sense can display social adeptness and material wealth. 4. Good hygeine is also a sign of health and lower risk of exposure to germs. As I type this common sense stuff, I really have to ask if this is for real?!? I mean just look at the opposite: Would you want to procreate with someone that smelled of vomit, slouched, hid in the corner of the room, was dressed in horrific garb, and had the facial features of a kaleidoscope?
MrCastle Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 No one wants to walk around with a COYOTE Unless she works at coyote ugly
threebyfate Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Well it's a good thing we have such attractive male specimens on LS, that they wouldn't be so hypocritical as to expect a hottie but themselves be butt-ugly.
Lonely Ronin Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 I don't know if I can buy the biological argument...if it were true, then we'd be heading towards the extinction of physically unattractive people, as they would be evolved out of the gene pool... It is true, buy you need to consider a few things. Mother nature throws some randomness into the mix. This happens to all species, it's kind of a test if you will. If the mutation is a good one, the specimen will thrive and pass on it's mutation. More importantly, Homo sapiens aren't thought to have become a completely new species until 50k years ago. Are genus Homo is only though to be 5 million years old. Great white sharks have been around from 30 -60 million years depending on who you ask, and their genus has been around for like 300+ million years. As a species we are infants. Mother nature takes her time, and she has only started working on us. Will we all eventually be attractive people? who knows, but I know one thing I won't be around to see it.
Untouchable_Fire Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Simple question...and one that I don't think has really ever been discussed at a fundamental level... First consider that mate selection is a competition. The competition results in who gets to pass their genetic traits onto the next generation. You obviously want to select the healthiest and most fertile mate. There is also a social component. You are going to want what most other people want... unless you don't feel able to compete at that level... then you zero in on second and third tier options. Physical attractiveness is supposed to be an outward signal of genetic health. I don't entirely buy into this theory. I believe that our current media distorts and homogenizes our view of beauty. I think that in our natural state cultures put more or less value on beauty traits that seem culturally desirable. For example in a hard climate farming culture... big strong women are the hottest. People also tend to value traits that are rare... blond hair... green eyes... for examples... but it could just as easily be long necks and small ears. I think modern media has done us an enormous disservice in pushing norms of attraction. Remember this is all a competition. I don't know if I can buy the biological argument...if it were true, then we'd be heading towards the extinction of physically unattractive people, as they would be evolved out of the gene pool... We don't just select mates based on attractiveness. We also select based on availability among other criteria.
Author USMCHokie Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 No one wants to walk around with a COYOTE And this is what prompts me to think that it's societal conditioning rather than biological necessity that causes us to desire physical attractiveness in a partner. Would it stand to reason that being with a physically attractive person increases one's social standing? And in order to "obtain" a physically attractive person, you yourself must be physically attractive...?
Author USMCHokie Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 Now why does society place such a high value on the upper percentile of physical attractiveness? What exactly is it about physical attractiveness that so appealing to human beings? For example, why do guys high five each other for sleeping with the hottest girl at the bar? Why do women gush over the new hot guy at work?
KungFuJoe Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Now why does society place such a high value on the upper percentile of physical attractiveness? What exactly is it about physical attractiveness that so appealing to human beings? For example, why do guys high five each other for sleeping with the hottest girl at the bar? Why do women gush over the new hot guy at work? Same reason you are attracted to them.
Recommended Posts