Darwinist beliefs in the 7th century Tibet

[eye_of_the_storm]

Well, at least I enjoyed the Water Lily.

 

 

yeh... 3.03am now... it was late when I wrote it...

 

 

Edited December 2, 2014 by eye_of_the_storm

[Taomeow]

@dusty:

 

tattoos haven't become an inheritable trait, have they?

 

If we self-selected for "sexy" for the length of time sufficient to affect our inheritable traits, we'd have gone extinct long ago. No species self-selects for "sexy." All species self-select for "healthy," toward "good health in posterity derived from procreating with this healthy-and-strong one," "good provider," "good defender," "adequate parent" and so on -- that's what makes sense to evolution, and that's how appearance of the specimen comes into play. But "sexy" means none of these things. The very existence of the concept is a symptom of power abuse -- think of what it really means, think if it's something that dovetails with any survival/health/well-being imperatives... It's a symptom of artificial selection not toward survival of the species but toward enslavement of the species, via its "sexy" specimens and those who are invited to emulate them, to try to be that. To be that rather than to be what evolution would favor. To be that toward something that has nothing to do with the species' well-being.

 

We haven't had the "sexy" idea in our minds long enough for long hair to have accommodated it genetically, just as tattoos haven't been accommodated genetically. Wherever we got it from, we didn't self-select for it.

 

@eye: thanks for your thoughts, I'll take a closer look later, gotta run...

Edited December 2, 2014 by Taomeow

[dust]

I don't recall using the word "sexy"

 

Though it's not entirely the wrong term, perhaps...

 

Wide hips, large breasts, a youthful countenance, etc -- these are all physical things men (not always but often) find 'sexy' based on evolutionarily beneficial factors (often based around childbearing, fertility)

 

A large penis, lithe/strong muscles, a 'manly' growth of facial hair, etc -- all physical things that women (not always but often) find 'sexy' based on evolutionarily beneficial factors (often based around hunting, fertility)

 

This all sounds a bit 'sexist'... because it is. These are some ways people have been able to tell (or, at least, think they can tell) that their prospective partner will be a fertile, strong, successful one.

 

As far as tattoos, the point is in the choice that one makes..taking drugs, body modification, growing hair long/cutting it short -- all choices that people make that allow others to see something about their character.

 

 

 

Hair is one of the most important ways humans have of presenting themselves, being one of the parts of their body which is easiest to manipulate.

 

In ancient Greece, long male hair was a symbol of wealth and power, while a shaven head was appropriate for a slave.

 

In the European middle ages, shorter hair often signified servitude and peasantry, while long hair was often attributed to freemen, as was the case with the Germanic Goths and Merovingians.

 

In West African cultures, women with long hair were highly valued. Long, thick hair was seen as a sign of health, strength, and capability to bear many children. In keeping with this general theme, women who were too young for marriage would shave a portion of their heads to signal so. This tradition, however, did not extend to every African tribe, as several valued shorter hair.

 

In Cherokee legends, for example, males said to be handsome were often described as having "long hair almost to the ground" or similar formulas.

 

etc